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I'm sure I posted here a few minutes ago?
I’m sure I posted here a few minutes ago?
You probably did. I have been struggling to get on and post all morning. It’s very clunky today
@thegeneralist no need to be quite so rude and patronising just because someone doesn't share your rather narrow view...
Sounds very sensible OP 👍
Boblo.
no need to be quite so rude and patronising just because someone doesn’t share your rather narrow view…
Sorry. I wasn't aware I had been. Certainly hadn't intended to be. I was just trying to separate the two different parts of the debate. Ie should he be going,followed by how.
Actually, just realised you may have been referring to my first post in which case you're probably right ( I can't recall what I wrote, but I'm having a shit day at work so it probably was out of order in some way)
Onwards...
<Edit>
Just read my first post. **** me it really is patronising.
Good point, well made boblo
</Edit>
The OP was quite clear, it’s for work.
Getting to Cardiff is, doing so by bicycle is clearly for enjoyment.
@thegeneralist I bet many agree that Govt has ****ed it up bug time and made a bunch of cash for their pals...but does than mean the proles are faultless? Binary positions like this are rarely helpful.
Getting to Cardiff is, doing so by bicycle is clearly for enjoyment.
Is it wrong to enjoy a mode of transport? I would enjoy riding over driving and definitely more enjoyable than flying and train (in the current climate.
This probably doesn't apply to the OP but there must be people out there who can't drive and can't afford a train or plane.
If they *must* go and a bike is the only option then they can't? Since when did having money become the decider as to whether you can go on a journey, rather than just giving you options as to how you do it?
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I think they only question here should be if the journey is actually necessary. The OP should avoid going if at all possible but if there really is no option then self-supported on a bike strikes me as far less risky than sharing a train or aeroplane with lots of other people.
From a practiciality perspective, would it be feasible to get supplies delivered (for use that evening and the following day's ride) to the likes of a Premier Inn, ahead of you arriving there later that day?
Just thinking about how you could minimise contact with others during the trip each way and not carrying a lot of extra weight on the bike.
If they *must* go and a bike is the only option then they can’t?
Flip that. If an employer wants someone to cycle across the country while we have measures in place to stop transmission and spread of the virus, they'd better have a damn good reason why it's "essential"... (an increasingly meaningless term, granted).
This probably doesn’t apply to the OP but there must be people out there who can’t drive and can’t afford a train or plane.
Then the company with essential business should probably reconsider it's viability as a company.
Are we all pretending you can't claim travel on expenses or have the company pre-book?
I keep trying to reply but my iPad is not loving life today. Anyone else struggling with iPads on here?
My iPad Pro hates STW. Replying to threads takes ages because each letter takes several seconds to type.
Are we all pretending you can’t claim travel on expenses or have the company pre-book?
I don’t think so. I could get a train,plane or hire car on expenses but if the opportunity arouse to ride it would it be wrong to do so?
I don't think it would be wrong in the sense of being illegal ,im sure no one has thought to put a limit on the distance you can commute by bike yet .
But if you acknowledge we all have a responsibility at the moment to limit interactions with other people it would be wrong to choose to ride when you could hire a car on expenses ... probably.
I really don’t see the problem. How many people would you encounter if you flew or took public transport? If only personal car travel is allowed, then it would be different but the bike seems a lower risk approach than all the others.
Lots of people enjoy driving (I do given the right road) but that doesn’t mean it’s not allowed as a form of transport.
All our work travel requires a specific H&S travel plan to be prepared and reviewed before an essential travel letter is given. There is no way a 4 day commute by bike would be approved in current times as a safe means of getting to and from the work site.
Is it wrong to enjoy a mode of transport?
Of course not, but this discussion is about the current legal context.
But if you acknowledge we all have a responsibility at the moment to limit interactions with other people it would be wrong to choose to ride when you could hire a car on expenses … probably.
To my knowledge (and I might have missed it) the OP hasn't acknowlged driving as an option. If the question comes down to limiting social interactions, and you don't drive, I personally would find that far easier to do on a bike, than by travelling the length of the UK by public transport. Yet nobody would bat an eye if it was about flying.
The division is really between those who see a bike as a toy and those that don't.
There are pertinent questions about the length of the journey and the amount of exposure this entails. But there are also real advantages over this opposed to sitting in multiple confined spaces with numerous strangers for a period several hours. It's two opposite extremes, with both extreme advantages and disadvantages. In terms of social contact, it could be considered the next best thing to driving.
You could also argue the threat of climate change is bigger than any pandemic, in which it becomes by far the most responsible position to take.
Car>Bike>Public Transport in the current circumstances, IMO. If OP can't drive, or get access to a car, then riding it is the next best thing, ideally carrying all his kit to minimise contact with others.
I don’t think so. I could get a train,plane or hire car on expenses but if the opportunity arouse to ride it would it be wrong to do so?
My point was primarily aimed at those claiming some sort of poverty get out for not taking public transport due to an inability to drive.
FWIW I don't think many businesses would sign off on someone riding the entire length of the UK and kipping wherever, in March no less.
If you can drive you should. Using a work trip as an excuse to go camping is not in any way within the spirit of the rules, as pointed out hotels are more than in top of this and you presumably have an obligation to minimise company expenses which several extra nights in hotels would not do.
I’ve had the possibility of travel from Edinburgh(ish) to Cardiff lurking for many months now - there’s no doubt that it will only happen if it is genuinely essential, so far I have been able to avoid that but there will be a point in the next 6 months or so where I will have to be there; I have no doubts that it meets the company’s, mine and the government’s definition of essential.
I’m inclined to drive if I have to go. However another option is to take the sleeper - then the longest part of the journey is in my own “box”. I’d then need to get out from London to Cardiff - car hire may be safer than train for that.
I’ll not be flying as the one person I know who has flown the route said it was full and mask compliance was poor. I think however our concern at catching it on public transport is probably misplaced - I think it’s a legit concern during normal running but I haven’t seem Anything suggesting outbreaks are associated with public transport at the moment. The workplace at the other end is probably more of a worry.
Have to say cycling never crossed my mind. I think wild camping would be bonkers; and I think doing it at all is only being done to prove a point. What happens if you have a major mechanical (say a seized BB, free wheel etc) on a Sunday in the rain?
All our work travel requires a specific H&S travel plan to be prepared and reviewed before an essential travel letter is given.
Please tell me this is due to Covid?
And if travelling from Edinburgh to Carlisle, the only reason to use the Sleeper would be if you needed to stop over in London. Drive or use a (near) direct train (Edinburgh-Crewe-Cardiff) of 6 hours.
Hypothetically, if the OP could ride it within one day/one single ride, would that satisfy those of you objecting?
We’ve had a lot of WWSTWD type questions on COVID over the last year and frankly they all pale compared to this one being something a reasonable person would think is OK right now.
As it’s a business trip give HR a call and see what they say and then report back.
All our work travel requires a specific H&S travel plan to be prepared and reviewed before an essential travel letter is given.
Please tell me this is due to Covid?
Yes, as I say it’s part of the requirements to consider whether an essential travel letter is issued.
Full Member
Hypothetically, if the OP could ride it within one day/one single ride, would that satisfy those of you objecting?
I'm not sure what your point is?
If the journey could be considered 'a normal commute by bicycle for an essential journey' (whatever that is), then fair enough. I don't see how an 8 day trek could be considered reasonable.
As above, speak to a reasonable civilian (do they exist?) and get their view. This all smacks a bit of Barnard Castle wriggling/twisting the narrative to match the desired plan to me...
Well, looking out of the window here right now and it's snowing horizontally. Even if you're no stranger to Scottish inclemency I'm not sure as I'd relish the idea of cycling half the length of the country carrying enough gear to not freeze to death.
If OP can’t drive, or get access to a car, then riding it is the next best thing
Taxi, business expenses.
If you suggest that then you'll probably find out how "essential" the trip suddenly becomes, too.
Just go for it. Sounds like a fun way to get to work. I don't see the issue really. It's a trip to work. Much safer than public transport at the moment.
Don't even bother asking what anyone on here thinks about it because it's just going to bring all the magisterial brigade with their moral compasses.
I'm loving how there are so many people on here saying you should be asking your employer if it is really essential for you to be staying away for work 🤣
I've stayed away and been asked for key worker status at hotels. However, my sister in law stayed at hotels previous few weekends to go and view houses she wants to buy and wasnt asked for any proof. Took kids too, and just seemed to have had a nice few weekends away. 🤨
I’ve stayed away and been asked for key worker status at hotels. However, my sister in law stayed at hotels previous few weekends to go and view houses she wants to buy and wasnt asked for any proof. Took kids too, and just seemed to have had a nice few weekends away.
That's all right then... 🙄