A few of the fitters at work are members of GCs in excess of 5 miles away, not a cats chance in hell they'll stay away.
And f knows how they'll distance at the clubhouse, tee off times were a rabble pre CV.
I’ll bet there’s not one person here who isn’t tempted and who couldn’t build an case for why it’s different.
Yup
My usual cycle routes are now all filled with people wobbling about on BSOs and walkers so I can no longer do any meaningful off road cycling anywhere near me. I also do not drive so I should be allowed to ride 20 miles away from home to allow me to ride offroad properly
I am also working in healthcare so nothing I do outside of work is as dangerous as being at work and I need this for my mental health
Or I could just suck it up of course!
. I also do not drive so I should be allowed to ride 20 miles away from home to allow me to ride offroad properly
There's been folk riding 50, 100 milers locally since lockdown began, and it was seen as being within the restrictions on the exercise thread on here - no hour limit, yer not driving anywhere, were amongst the cries.
Fast forward few weeks, restrictions are eased, but interpreting the guidance today, we should only walk or cycles 5 miles from our house to get to where we wish exercise.
Now, unless I've missed something, there's no restriction on how far you go from there, is there?.
So TJ, I see no issue with you cycling from Leith and riding the Pentlands?.
not by my reading of it No beer
I think you're limiting yourself needlessly. There's nothing in the recommendations to suggest riding to then in the Pentlands would be unacceptable.
I have been riding from the Southside and up into the Pentlands already.
It's fine and noone is going to give you hassle about it (in the real world anyway, maybe nit-picking on here).
My main question has been raised above – when it refers to socialising with one other household, is it the same household you have to socialise with every time, or can you socialise with different households, one at a time?
Different households one at a time. Was clarified in question to Sturgeon on the news last night https://twitter.com/BBCScotlandNews/status/1263536058932879360?s=09
Spin
Member
The thing I don’t see mentioned in this thread so far is that in the first phase the travel for exercise is described as:Permitted to travel short distances for outdoor leisure and exercise but advice to stay within a short distance of your local community (broadly within 5 miles) and travel by walk, wheel and cycle where possible.
That's pretty much what's been happening where I am since the start, everyone from the big town 5 miles away driving down to the coast to get away from the hordes. (And taking the hordes with them).
The 5 mile guide now is just that, a guide, and may vary depending on your area (one of the questions NS was asked), so being open to interpretation i imagine a lot of folk will just go where they like
I was interested in comments made by the FM on the role of the police. They seemed to suggest that Scotland would move away from enforcement and more towards guidance with people being allowed to make their own decisions based on local circumstances. More the Swedish model I guess. No idea if that would work in Scotland and it does still mean endless arguments online about what counts as reasonable, but I’ll be interested to see if that’s where we go.
I was interested in comments made by the FM on the role of the police. They seemed to suggest that Scotland would move away from enforcement and more towards guidance with people being allowed to make their own decisions based on local circumstances
Which has pretty much been the case so far.
Can't believe how strict things seem to be in Scotland.
Are all construction sites closed? Here in France construction work has carried on all the way through without a break (the rule was that if you couldn't work from home it was fine to go to work).
5 mile radius for going to the start of exercise? Here in France we are now allowed to go up to 100km from home (within the same region) without needing any reason at all.
Socially distanced gathering in the garden with one household at a time? Here in France we can have socially distanced gatherings at home with an unlimited number of people (initially gatherings were limited to 10 people but the constitutional court struck that down).
Which has pretty much been the case so far.
Has it? Genuine question. You could be right. I don't personally know of anybody who has been fined (or even cautioned) for anything and the number of cars parked in spots where they've clearly driven to get some exercise or walk the dog does suggest that the police haven't been too strict so far (at least around here). But I thought they were still enforcing things and it was interesting to hear the FM say that she anted to move away from that to a more consensual approach.
Can’t believe how strict things seem to be in Scotland.
Are all construction sites closed? Here in France construction work has carried on all the way through without a break (the rule was that if you couldn’t work from home it was fine to go to work).
5 mile radius for going to the start of exercise? Here in France we are now allowed to go up to 100km from home (within the same region) without needing any reason at all.
Socially distanced gathering in the garden with one household at a time? Here in France we can have socially distanced gatherings at home with an unlimited number of people (initially gatherings were limited to 10 people but the constitutional court struck that down).
You can drill into the data here, and if you click on UK you can see Scotland in more detail, but essentially that's because.
- Higher cases in UK as a whole.
- Higher cases per capita.
- Higher deaths in UK than France.
- We started lockdown later than you.
- We are much further behind you on bringing the cases down (look at the graphs on the attached)
I think you’re limiting yourself needlessly.
Yes, I'm just road riding just now (apart from some short local runs with the kids) and have done a few 3 hour rides over the past couple of months. I don't see any issue with this because I'm riding from my door and staying well clear of other people. I think riding in the Pentlands is fine, but personally I would probably only do it early or late to avoid people out walking during peak hours.
The car is staying on the drive for now. I'm using the trailer to do the shopping once a week, so I don't have any reason to be driving anywhere.
Question for my fellow Scots.
I now live in Ireland and keen to see my elderly parents who live in Scotland. Going by Nicolas plan when can I get the ferry over and visit/stay with them for a bit? Phase 3/phase 4? What sort of time line has Nicola said (I read its reviewed every 3 weeks and maybe moved on). Would aiming for August some time look realistic? At least I won't need to quarantine.
They have no family around them,with me in Ireland and daughter in London. My dad's health went down at Christmas and keen to see how he is fairing and help them do a few jobs that they need doing (diy/garden etc). I usually get over a couple of times a year to help out/catch up and not seen them since my dad got out of hospital in Dec.
You know just as much as everyone else. I think the only honest answer at the moment is don't make any firm plans and wait to see how things unfold over the next few weeks. There is no definite timetable at the moment, because no one knows exactly how the pandemic will progress.
First minister unveils lockdown starting to end.
Teeming with rain today.
🙄
@andy4d I'm assuming/hoping phase 3.
I live in Shetland and my family in North Yorkshire, we had to cancel our Easter trip obviously, so haven't seen them since last summer. Now with the schools planned to go back at the same time as travel to England is likely to be OK in mid-August we'll not get there this summer as we can't take our son out of school to go when he'll only just have started in secondary. So October holidays is likely our next chance to get home.
Obviously that depends on the timescales staying as hoped.
I now live in Ireland and keen to see my elderly parents who live in Scotland. Going by Nicolas plan when can I get the ferry over and visit/stay with them for a bit? Phase 3/phase 4? What sort of time line has Nicola said (I read its reviewed every 3 weeks and maybe moved on). Would aiming for August some time look realistic? At least I won’t need to quarantine.
Timeline hasn't been explicit, but you can sort of piece it together based on what they've said, that......
Best case scenario it's 12 weeks until we progress through it all (so moving on every 3 weeks).
They must have confidence we will be in phase 3 on 11th August, as this is the date they have stated schools will return with a mix of in school/home learning, which is what they've stated as stage 3 plans.
There seems to be a lot of discussion and confusion at the moment about exactly when people will be able to visit relatives. Personally, I'm in no hurry to go near my elderly parents until I'm convinced it is safe to do so. I don't really care what "Phase" they call it. It's whether I'm putting them at risk that matters.
According to my calendar the 11th of August is (just) less than 12 weeks away already.
Personally, I’m in no hurry to go near my elderly parents until I’m convinced it is safe to do so.
May be safe if you take precautions: 🙂
Teeming with rain today.
And some dickhead on my street promised to camp in the garden with his ten year old son this weekend.
Thanks, responses kind of inline with my maths/hopes. Guess I will put in for a few days off work towards end of August and see how it unfolds.
I get what you are saying too kcr, it's a tough call deciding to not see them and keep safe but maybe never see my dad again due to his health or take a chance to see him. I dunno to be honest, i will see what happens in the months ahead.
After reading Scottish Mountain Rescue posting, I'm quite happy that I'll be driving 30 mins to some very quiet grassy, boggy Galloway hills to walk with my wife and daughter next weekend.
I'll avoid the hills with good paths that are nearer, as they'll be busier.
Guidance for phase 1
- You may exercise outdoors as many times each day as you wish and for as long as you want. Cycling activity should only be on routes that you know well and are within your ability level.
- Permitted to travel short distances (broadly within 5 miles) to start your ride. However, we continue to advise that you start your ride from your home.
- You can ride outdoors alone, with those you live with or with one other household at any one time, maintaining social distancing of at least two meters at all times from those in the other household.
- You should continue to maintain a distance of at least two metres from anyone you meet whilst out riding, stopping and waiting for people to pass when necessary. This is particularly important when riding on narrow paths and trails.
- You can sit and rest outside before, during and after your ride.
- If you are showing coronavirus symptoms, or if you or any of your household are self-isolating, you should stay at home.
We would also continue to encourage cyclists to:
- Ride responsibly – ride within your ability level. High risk exercise (that may result in injury and require medical care or emergency services support) should be avoided.
- Be prepared - consider what tools and spares you need to carry with you so that you are self-sufficient, including maintaining good personal hygiene at all times.
I’m quite happy that I’ll be driving 30 mins to some very quiet grassy, boggy Galloway hills
We should explore down that way, apart from Straiton I don’t think I’ve really done any walking South of here.
I think that second point is just going to be interpreted as "permitted to travel" and hopefully as "don't take the piss". The "5 miles" and "continue to advise" is obviously just that; advice.
I know a few people who are interpreting this as "do my usual runs/rides but not the trips away yet" and I'll be interested to see what happens to the local car parks. I drove past an FC one that leads to some MTB trails the other day and was surprised to see one van and 4 cars in there already!
I'm still a bit conflicted as to whether I should stay really local (< 5miles) and join everyone else on the hill or do what I'd normally do and drive a bit further so I can spend the whole ride on my own.
The '5 miles' is a suggestion to stay local rather than everyone rush to the 'honey pot' sites. There'll be no one checking mileage, so if 6-7 miles mean you get to a suitable spot I'd not worry, but 20-30 miles to a popular walk/ride spot wouldn't be in the spirit of it. The advice is that it's still preferred you walk/cycle from home.
We'll need to see what Scot Gov actually announce tomorrow first anyway...
I've asked a couple of separate friends I've not seen since before lock down if they want to meet for a SD ride over the weekend, but they are still feeling it's not a good idea (or they've gone off me!)
We should explore down that way, apart from Straiton I don’t think I’ve really done any walking South of here.
They're a frustrating range of hills, some absolutely awesome walking, but jesus christ they can be demoralising at times. The Corserine ridge from Carsphairn along Meaul, Carlin's cairn, Corserine etc is phenomenal, but a bit of a hack to get up onto it. Brilliant ride along the tops on a nice day too, but I've yet to find a good way up or down.
That's where the access laws are against you, no recognised paths as such, as folk have their own routes to get wherever they're going.
Cairnsmore of carsphairn is fantastic Phil, park at Green well of scotland (a mile short of Carsphairn), really good path and incredible views. 35 minutes drive from Ayr too.
Once you get out of the populated areas even 6-7 miles doesn't really get you anywhere though.
I've spent years exploring routes where I never meet a soul (since that's what I enjoy) and it's felt strange during lockdown to deprive myself of those rides and to ride around locally instead, regularly waving at people in the name of social distancing. But I understand the logic (to a point).
It would be nice to think that we'll get to the point where we can be trusted (and trust each other) to make our own decisions. But that's probably a bit naive of me.
I'll probably continue to do most of my rides from home for the next few weeks at least, but I wouldn't rule out sticking the bike in the car and spending a day in the hills on my own. Obviously I'm not going to drive to Aviemore or anything, lovely though those trails are.
@nobeerinthefridge Cheers I’ll look that up.
I find it frustrating that I can’t seem to find anything much to ride too, so I always head to a trail centre. I’m sure there are some gems to find, maybe this is the year to search them out!
It's "broadly" 5 miles. I doubt there would be any quibble of 10 whereas 25 or more is obviously taking the piss, especially in rural/low populated areas. As above, its about not having everyone travelling to the same honeypot locations and trying to contain travel with localities.
whereas 25 or more is obviously taking the piss
I've not been further than 10 miles from my home since lockdown started, and that 10 miles was on my bike. Mates have been riding a lot further, good friend has been 200km, which obviously takes him a long way from home. He's a strong rider, and I have no issue with him doing this, best of luck to him.
I struggle to see how me driving 25 or so miles to a favourite wee quiet riding spot is taking the piss. If I parked up and there were loads of folk there, I'd then not bother, but that won't happen, as it's only a few miles from the coast, and everyone and their dugs are on the beach.
I know why it could be - all the usual structures to help you out if you have an accident or mechanical you can't fix - are otherwise engaged. Thats my issue anyway! Loops. Its all about loops!
now is this 5 miles as the crow flies or by road????
I’m actually ok with the way everything has been from an exercise point of view - the joys of 2 young kids killing your time anyway (found some lovely new rides from the door).
OTOH we’d love to get said kids to the grandparents. Even if just sitting in the garden for a while a 35mile visit still isn’t going to be happening 😕
Im wanting to get dropped of 10 miles upriver, and picked up back here by the mrs. Ill get nowhere near anybody and its flat water so i think its within the realms of the reasonable.
Yeah, I'm thinking that driving from Edinburgh to Glentress is still not cool, but I would maybe drive 20 miles to a remote lay-by and ride from there.
Though I just took the car off the road, so anywhere I am going now will be human powered.
It’s “broadly” 5 miles. I doubt there would be any quibble of 10 whereas 25 or more is obviously taking the piss, especially in rural/low populated areas
What if for the better part of a year your go to trails (and you had evidence of, say, once a month being there on social media...) were a 40-45 minute drive away?
Asking for a friend... 😜
I find it frustrating that I can’t seem to find anything much to ride too, so I always head to a trail centre. I’m sure there are some gems to find, maybe this is the year to search them out!
There's some decent stuff built in the woods by auchincruive, mibbe a 30 minute ride from you.
20 mins drive and there's some cracking stuff up behind west kilbride, fairlie and largs.
Gimme a shout if ye want GPX of either matey.
Some stunning hills in Galloway Cairnsmore of Carsphairn is a favourite of mine. Mullwharchar too, long walk in from Glentrool, sometimes used to kip at Culsharg. Mullwharchar isn't a big hill but on the right day the views are great
Never been up mullwharchar big Gordy, need to change that!.
There's some great walking around Afton reservoir by new cumnock too, stunning.
There’s some decent stuff built in the woods by auchincruive, mibbe a 30 minute ride from you.
20 mins drive and there’s some cracking stuff up behind west kilbride, fairlie and largs.
Gimme a shout if ye want GPX of either matey.
We actually went over to Auchincruive the other day, was a nice ride out along the River Ayr Way. We weren’t really sure where to head once we were at Auchin but did find a short section with a couple of jumps in. Ran out of time to explore properly, and then headed back. A GPX would be ace for next time we head if you don’t mind?
I do keep meaning to explore Fairlie - will definitely head there this summer.
No worries, I'll head up river at the weekend and get a decent run in, with all the good wee bits in it, and send you a GPX.
I couldn't help but laugh at the journalists asking questions at wee Nic's lockdown presentation last night. Most of the questions about the easing of restrictions can be summarized thus:
"so eh, wee Nic - wi these changed rules does it mean wi can get pished ootside, sunbathe and hae a shag again coz its gonnae be pure taps aff this weekend and mah burd/ fella lives in a different street. Ken eh? It's shan if ye cannae huv a shag and a shandy when it's bilin".
Sadly, my girlfriend lives too far away fur a shag (9 weeks - brutal!), but I will be sitting in a camping chair in the Meadows with my shirt off, factor 50, kindle and a coolbox of beers this afternoon.
Sadly, my girlfriend lives too far away
Shan.
Sadly, my girlfriend lives too far away fur a shag (9 weeks – brutal!), but I will be sitting in a camping chair in the Meadows with my shirt off, factor 50, kindle and a coolbox of beers this afternoon.
And that's why everyone hates east coasters.
Last time I had a drink I got a £60 fine for my bother, I'd been at sea for 3 months and the bastards had criminalised it whilst I was away.
13 year old daughter went a walk with her bestie today, was lovely to see how happy they were to see each other. 😊
13 year old daughter went a walk with her bestie today, was lovely to see how happy they were to see each other
Nice.
We rode across to mates in Avoch and had a beer in the garden in the sun. A much needed moment of normality.
Happy days, Spin.
Loads of motorbikes out today on the A82
The car parks at the Loch Garten RSPB reserve are now open, with sigbs saying they are there for folk travelling less than 5 miles.
Avoch
That’s within walking distance... are we ‘neighbours ‘?
Against the actual guidence but I am so desperate to go camping. Cycling 25 miles to camp in a pals garden and pee in his bushes - whats the view?
I am beginning to go even more crazy as I have not had a night out in the hills yet this year. I can't be the only one.
one Of the things I’ve been struggling with is how far is it ‘sensible’ to range on the bike.
I know cycling to Aviemore, Fort Augustus or Lochcarron is out with the spirit (and I’m not fit enough neither) but the likes of Abriachan is a four hour round trip...
I have not been more than 10 miles from home Metalheart. Probably will breach that this weekend tho. Its certainly a tricky question for those of us with a strong moral compass. My issue is that the usual mixed use paths i would use to get out of the city are full of people pushing us onto the roads and I think I have now ridden every bit of quiet road or path withing 10 miles of my house many times over.
To date I’ve not done much in the way of cycling, I’ve reckoned that I’d get more utility out of walking.
I’m not a fan of road cycling these days (road surfaces here are poor, singletrack, there’s a lot agricultural vehicles and people that barely give you room when you’re walking... that and it’s the being away from it that draws to me mountain biking/bikepacking).
I’m looking to restart my cycling but actually, you know, enjoy it...
For background, I live alone, I’ve been wfh since 18th March and heading into the hills on my bike has been the way I’ve coped with maintaining reasonable mental health... for the first three weeks I barely left the house...
We've not been more than 5-6 miles from home the whole time and tried to do things in both the spirit and using common sense to avoid.
Yesterday the rest of the family drove to some (empty) woods for first trail ride away from our local woods.
Today we're thinking of canoeing, but the local two lochs are reportedly full of loch shore campers already. I know we could go elsewhere and it will be empty, but then we're traveling... Hmmmm.
Coastal location, so 8km is even harsher. Also a honeypot so rammed yesterday. Now starting from empty inland parking or going out early/late
Wtf are people doing camping ?
I was out early in the Pentlands and even then I had a car ask me where it could park up at Threipmuir. That’s after than having passed multiple signs and barriers saying all parking closed ! I did mention that and Mr Driver said it didn’t apply to him as he wanted to go ‘seriously walking’ in the hills. My suggestion of parking in Balerno and walking in was waved away as he tried to find an non existent parking space. Society is fuct.
Meadows was great yesterday. Lovely day and small groups all separated out.
Couple of large groups of teenagers and about 6 folk headering a football back and forward weren't really following the rules, but that's just par for the course.
tjagain
I am beginning to go even more crazy as I have not had a night out in the hills yet this year. I can’t be the only one.
The rules are to prevent infection spread. If you ride/walk from your house while social distancing and spend a night bivvying in the hills you are not spreading infection. Where's the harm?
The rules are a broad brush and don't allow for a minority pastime like genuine (as opposed to roadside) wild camping. If golf and tennis are now OK my view is the solo bivvying is even ,lower, risk than those activities.
If I am going to get/spread the virus it will be sitting in a car at work with a colleague not hillwalking alone or bivvying in the hills within walking distance of home.
Wtf are people doing camping ?
We're now planning some more remote camping trips as our holidays, should the next stage of emerging allow it.
It seems common sense to me to stay in Scotland, away from others and away from population. Some wild camps are likely to be part of family_oab activities when we're finally allowed to.
The camping now is loch shore up here - the usual numpties being released and then taking the Michael.
All the wild camping trips I had planned have obviously had to be cancelled
Withing walking distance of my house nowhere I would camp. Even cycling is tricky but we could get up to the Lammermuirs ( I wouldn't camp in the pentlands)
Its hard to see the harm in doing this but its not really withing the rules as I read them. I don't want to be a hypocrite!
I've camped in the Pentlands and along in East Lothian. You just need to choose your spot, arrive late, leave early.
As regards the current situation, we are now allowed to stop during our exercise, to picnic, birdwatch etc. Is staying out overnight fir a few hours a higher, or lower, risk than it is during the day? If it's the erection of a tent that makes the difference, then just bivvy.
Aye, I agree. As for camping in yer mates garden, what if ye need a greyfriars bobby?.
Quite happy to see Prestwick beach quite quiet at lunchtime
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Mrs TJ HAS to have her bed for the night and dinner at least in sight by 6 pm! Arriving late is not an option!
Well, Mrs TJ just has to MTFU.
TJ, just go camping for a night, stop being such a dweeb lol
I'll let you tell her Scotroutes 🙂
That’s within walking distance… are we ‘neighbours ‘?
We're in Inverness but mates in Avoch. Where are you?
TJ - what you are doing barely qualifies as wild camping anyway. Why not eat and then go camp? It's light until 11pm .
Didn't seem to be many people paying much attention to staying 5 miles from home today. And really, who can blame them? Tarvie services doing a roaring trade and the Wyvis car park full.
You wouldn’t be able to camp in the Pentlands tonight anyway as everybpissed chav **** is setting up camp and having bonfires and bbqs. Honestly it’s ****n ridiculous some of the behaviour.
Aye. For that reason the pentlands are out. I'm thinking lammermuirs which is a 25+ mile ride and should be quiet
We’re in Inverness but mates in Avoch. Where are you?
Mount Eagle(-ish). Thought maybe you were on the Black Isle...
@scotroutes: what’s Aviemore like?
I've not been up to Loch Morlich/Glenmore today so can't say what it's like there. Town seems a wee bit busier than the last couple of months but no huge influx.
There's always been a few locals travelling a few miles up and down the Strath to some of the smaller parking areas (FLS and RSPB car parks have been closed).