Went out for a solo ride today (of course!), and passed or saw 3 groups of older roadies out for group rides.
Had a look on Strava flyby just on case I was mistaken, but for the ones I could see they were obviously riding as groups. Two of the groups were even wearing club jerseys (Honiton Spinners was the one I can recall).
This cheeses me off a bit as I've been solo riding for 5+ weeks now, and it seems that on nearly every ride I've been on I've seen riders of the 'older generation' out for a spin in groups. Do they not think that they have to follow the same rules as the rest of us?
I know that cycling with others has a pretty low risk of transmission, but it will only feed anti-cyclist feeling.
Your sincerely,
Concerned of East Devon 😉
I'll counter that with the 4 guys on MTB's who met at a local car park, first bumps for all as they arrived and got out their cars. Dicks ride bikes of any persuasion.
older generation’ out for a spin in groups.
How old are we talking ? 40’s 50’s 60’s
Very true, though to to be fair round here I've only seen MTBers riding solo, or very obvious father/son/wife/daughter combos.
How old are we talking ? 40’s 50’s 60’s
I'd say late 50s-60s in all 3 cases today.
Yeah, I'm wondering where these mythical hordes of group riders are. They must be out there from the streams of vitriol on social media but in all my hundreds of miles of riding in April, I've only seen one group (of 4) that I'd consider a bit "hmm, can't quite believe they're all housemates".
Everyone else is alone, obvious couples or obvious family groups.
Wearing team jerseys is a whole other level of idiocy, that's like holding up a red flag shouting "club ride!"
On a general note very much related to the OP though, I'd say that "lockdown" is beginning to be more like "mildly restricted"...
i've seen plenty of riders of the 'younger generation' on bikes out for spin in groups
well mainly sat around drinking beer in the woods and smoking herbal cigarettes...
Phew I’m 47 still viewed as a youngster 🤣
I'm 45 next week. Not too old, but definitely not young!
It's the folks on strava that pop up having ridden in a pair for 100 miles that gets me. Just the other day the club president, and someone who works for one of the cycling establishments that have said 'ride solo' shows up having done 70 miles with another club member.
I understand it's probably low risk, but as op stated it's the impression it gives. Plus if cyclists can ignore guidance, then why not footballers golfers etc etc
Had a solo 30 mile loop out today including 10 miles on the A6 north of Derby - the main approach route to the Peak from the south - and not a single group seen. Only loners or obviously partners or parents and kids. And it's been like that since the second week of lockdown on all the rides I've done around Derby and Nottingham.
I'd suggest an email/social media post to Honiton Spinners reminding them of the rules, maybe involve BC or Cycling UK if they are affiliated. Our club took a kicking on social media after some idiots rode together the first weekend, all members got a very blunt email afterwards. No more groups and no more club jerseys till after lockdown.
Judging by Strava, my club has been pretty diligent with the whole riding solo thing. Other that some ‘group rides’ arranged for Zwift, and a lot of WhatsApp activity, I don’t think there has been any contact between any of us.
The groups I've seen have been yoofs. Oh and pedestrians. Anecdotal evidence eh?
Well yes, it's entirely based on what I've seen, so only valid in that context 😋
The other groupings I've seen have been dog walkers. They see you coming and suddenly split off in 3 or 4 different directions whistling innocently.
One group of 4 MTBers, that's it. I have been struck, though, by the number of individuals cycling one handed looking at their phone in the other...
The other groupings I’ve seen have been dog walkers. They see you coming and suddenly split off in 3 or 4 different directions whistling innocently.
Doggers or dog walkers?
Local (road) club here have been "active" in a manner contrary to government and BC guidance and there has been some ill-feeling as a result. I don't think it's an age thing, though I wonder how much of it is inspired by a "need" to remain competitive and then seeing what other folk are doing.
Have seen a few pairs which didn't seem all that same householdy. I was more bothered today by the one who decided he was going to get out of the headwind for a minute by drafting me (I was on a 150mm full suss, and not exactly setting a competitive pace!) Snotrockets are frowned upon in the current situation, I believe, so I eventually had to pull over to get rid of him.
The local roadie club got caught with a few of their members going for small group rides last weekend. They're under orders to not wear club kit and go solo. Saw a group of 3 of them out yesterday evening in club tops.
Other than that just the odd family group of riders. Walkers and dog walkers on the other hand, driving to closed car parks, meeting in groups, no social distancing etc.
I've seen more youngsters out riding together, both teenage/twentysomething "proper MTBers" and the shirts off, neck tattooed BSO crew.
I did see a group of middle aged MTBers meet up and head out onto the moors together last weekend.
Anyway, you are turning an anecdote into an unjustified generalisation.
no more club jerseys till after lockdown
Why no club jerseys if riding solo?
I have been struck, though, by the number of individuals cycling one handed looking at their phone in the other…
I know. Much easier no hands...
As dovebiker says dicks are dicks whatever. I’ve seen cases of people clearly having people round for afternoon beers in the sun, people working in groups that shouldn’t be, the odd group of bikers that look like mates etc etc.
But in the main people doing what is asked. If they locked it down further it would be the same dicks that just carry on anyway.
Does seem more traffic about last couple of weeks though for sure.
From what I've seen generally around the South Downs today, lockdown is over anyway. So crack on and do whatever you want people.
We've seen all types out together. It's quite clear that a lot of people have no idea what 2m is or that it is supposed to apply to the sides as well as just the front.
But then having just had an interesting experience whilst out having a short walk just now I suspect that the 80/20 rule covers pretty much the entire population.
Why no club jerseys if riding solo?
We still have some people banging out 50-100 mile rides. Not technically illegal, but the club would prefer not to have our jerseys spotted 50 miles from home and get shitty social media posts from the curtain twitching Stasi informants.
I have suggested that given the large number of families with kids now riding, and a lot of people dragging old bikes out the shed, plugging the youth academy and the off road "cycle for health" rides we run for the council via a bit of local Jersey wearing advertising and social media work might be in order, but they took the view that the risk of stupid was too great still.
It's difficult to say whether a group of riders are from the same household, or not.
As these folks were 'older', then could have all come from the same care home 😉
The only large bunch of cyclists I saw in the height of the restrictions here in Germany were a team affiliated with my LBS. They are all over 60 and mainly ex pros/ elite level racers. I couldn’t believe they were riding in a group of about 15 riders. The stupidly of it was breathtaking.
Have a ride around Cheshire on a Sunday morning, guaranteed you'll see a few groups of three or four riders of similar age/sex. Doubt they live together. This in addition to the many pairs of men out riding together making a half arsed effort to stay apart (until a car passes them).
Honestly don't see why people feel the need to do this. Is it that hard to ride on your own? Do they feel so insecure in their lycra that they need to be in groups?
My experiences is that a lot of people feel the need to group together as they're afraid of being on their own. They do it in cycling as well of course.
I wonder whether the general attitude is shifting? Not seen any road groups at all, but saw a big group on MTB on Dartmoor today.
I was out for 3 hours today, lots of cyclists, but I don't think I saw anyone obviously flouting the rules. I was on a couple of sections shared with pedestrians, and people were generally good about maintaing distance when passing reach other. My cycling club emailed all members with very clear guidance about riding responsibly.
It feels like the roads are getting busier, though. I suspect there is a lot of unnecessary driving going on.
Some chap on a bike today swerved across full width of road, up the grass bank to within a metre of myself and my wife (stood with bikes) to ride back down the grassy bank verge. Then rejoined his pal on the far side of the road and continued in his way.
It's like he chose to do a 'close pass' on us.
Not sure why some people don’t get it. Someone mentioned the 2m rule pretty certain that is with relatively static non exercising humans in mind. Even if a cyclist is not coughing or sneezing, exercising hard they’re going to be breathing out aerosolised vapour from deep within their lungs. A following cyclist Mate within 10m at 20mph is I would suggest at risk of breathing in this vapour. Think about following someone down a dusty mtb trail....
Seeing as you can’t hold a conversation at anything above 3-4m apart why run that risk rather than staying solo. I’m really missing my riding mates so roadies Risking riding getting a bad name is annoying.
Even if a cyclist is not coughing or sneezing, exercising hard they’re going to be breathing out aerosolised vapour from deep within their lungs. A following cyclist Mate within 10m at 20mph is I would suggest at risk of breathing in this vapour.
Everything I've read says the liklihood of contracting it simply from someone else's breath is miniscule. I'm not sure I'm as convinced as what you say makes sense to me, but it would be good to get some formal guidance for when we are allowed to start group riding again.
We still have some people banging out 50-100 mile rides. Not technically illegal, but the club would prefer not to have our jerseys spotted 50 miles from home
Makes sense for rides that stretch the limits a bit I agree.
Might dig out my Finsbury Park CC top and see if anyone tries to shame me up here in Lancs.
Though I was copping enough shit just for being out on a bike at all yesterday.
Some people are going to follow the "lockdown" guidelines, some aren't... what kid of bike/sporting activities/shopping they do is irrelevant.
This cheeses me off a bit ...
I know that cycling with others has a pretty low risk of transmission, but it will only feed anti-cyclist feeling.
What feeds the anti-cycling feeling is people posting criticm of cyclist that the haters can use as ammonition .. like what you are doing.
You know there is a pretty low risk of transmission .. so run with that instead of getting a bit cheesed off.
I’ll counter that with the 4 guys on MTB’s who met at a local car park, [b]fist bumps for all as they arrived and got out their cars[/b]. Dicks ride bikes of any persuasion.
dicks without the lockdown TBF
5* 40-50yos in stanmer woods today, half on ebikes, the other half on massive enduro rigs (not sure quite what they had them for).
'oh yeah mate we all live in the same house *wink*'
See groups of riders every time I go out and groups stood chatting. From teens to old duffers. No idea why the rules don't apply to them
What feeds the anti-cycling feeling is people posting criticm of cyclist that the haters can use as ammonition .. like what you are doing.
Not particularly stuff on this thread, but it seems endemic in the cycling press and social media "Hate me! Hate me!"
I just don't get it. Most people are at best indifferent to cyclists, most are ignorant and/or careless around us, a very small minority actually hate us, and we give them far more "air time" and importance than they deserve.
Just to remind you that not all households are the same - youngest son just qualified as physio and lives with one junior doctor and one other medic, they are not even all the same colour 🤔
I have been riding most weeks with three other members of my club. 😳
But then my wife and our two (school age) boys are in the same club as me. 😉
Occasionally we wear club jerseys.
Nothing to do with age or even riding a bike from what I've seen.
People think "Covid is done."
Complacency is going to kill people.
I was out for about two and a half hours on my roadie bike today in rural Stirlingshire. On the couple of short bits of A road that I was on, the traffic was noticeably busier than it has been the past weeks. On the quiet back roads, and that bugger of an unclassified road, I saw loads of cyclists which is brilliant, but I also saw quite a few guys riding in pairs or small groups which made me think 'hmmm..'
Saw some brilliant looking retro road bikes that I assume have been dragged out of retirement. Think the best thing I saw was when I was nearly back into my local town and a couple in their mid-twenties came zooming towards me on their leccy scooters. I'd just crested a nasty wee climb and was properly blowing out my arse, as this couple sailed past me on the other side of the road. They didn't even look like they'd broken a sweat. Proper athletes! Made me laugh, but at least they were getting some air and sunshine.
