Corona Virus & cycling impact (see mode note post 1322)

Ryath · 02-04-2020 10:57pm

Problem if you are fit from cycling it's very easy over do it starting out running. Your lungs and heart are well able for it but your leg muscles and joints aren't. You really need to ease yourself into it. Following the likes of couch to 5k is a good option though it will feel very easy at the start.

CramCycle · 02-04-2020 11:17pm

ckeego wrote: »

2. Don’t be a di€k

If one rule in the world could be enforced and negate all others, it would be this one.

hans aus dtschl wrote: »

WWF, surely? I'm obviously not down with the modern lingo.

+1

hans aus dtschl wrote: »

Doing crappy laps of the 2km radius trying to get "around" the rules

So I've absolutely zero interest in either of those options, TBH.

In the meantime I'll probably get fatter and unhealthier and put a little more strain on the health services though! What a set of choices!

+100 the idea of doing loops inside a 2km zone sounds liek hell, I'd sooner not ride a bike at all.

Eamonnator wrote: »

I did a Red C survey this morning.
The last question was about what three things I'd do when all this is over.
I had to demote "going for a cycle" to 3rd place, when I remembered "seeing my grandchildren" and "taking my wife out for a meal".

My grandson is the only one I want to talk too (he is in the house), the rest I am looking forward to seeing them less :eek:

thesimpsons wrote: »

I do know of 2 essential workers who have taken to cycling to work as the roads are quieter now plus it gives them a fresh air breather from the stress of what they are working at. It would be great to have this continue after this is all over - I always feel better the odd time I'm after cycling to work than hopping onto the car.

Met an RTE News worker today as I cycled in, we had a conversation as he cycled in the cycle lane and I stayed on the right of the bus lane. It was interesting to have a commute conversation where we didn't have to go shoulder to shoulder or shout. I never realised hiw much noise cars generate in the background. Bus drivers were bang on as well.

magicbastarder wrote: »

i was half tempted to try running but i've no footwear suitable. so i went out and dug in the garden instead.

Dug up our back garden the first weekend, and reseeded it. We went all in the 1st week and my partner is now suffering the reprecussions of getting more ambitious with the home jobs and no supplies to actually do them.

Harrybelafonte · 03-04-2020 5:40am

Main thing with running is a very careful warm up (dynamic stretches only, no static stretches) and a good stretch after it. Especially if you haven't run for awhile.

Pre Run Warm Up

Post Run Stretches

There are a good few runners on here who could advise better than I, but after training for Seven Sisters 50km mountain run and the Dublin Marathon last year (half-finished one and finished the other slowly), I learned a lot about various muscle weaknesses long-term cycling can promote. I'm still suffering the consequences. The running didn't injure me, my routine did tbh.

If you ran as a youth, then stopped, you may be in for a shock if you start running again when you're older.

py · 03-04-2020 6:45am

CramCycle wrote: »

My partner went for a walk yesterday, muppets on bikes with their teenage kids on bikes on the f'in footpath. Over the 3km walk, there was 2 cars passed them, what were they on the f'in footpath for. Mother of God, Muppets.

Also, sorry I clarified their kids were on bikes because when I wrote it without the clarification it sounded like the kids were getting a crosser.

Seeing this too. We've been using this time to get the young lad accustomed to cycling on the road. It'll stand to him down the line.

secman · 03-04-2020 8:18am

I'm in a strange place at the moment, back issues have flared up again, no cycling for almost 2 weeks now, coinciding with the lock down, have plenty of garden to tend too but have to be extra careful with my back, biggest pain is not being able to get physio

smacl · 03-04-2020 8:26am

buffalo wrote: »

I've been alternating - if it's a bit cooler, I go for a run. If it's sunny and warmer, I dig the garden. I've dug up about half of the lawn now... what do I do when I finish that?

If our garden was once akin to an unruly fun loving mongrel it is now closer to a stressed out poodle on its way to crufts.

Figured out last night that longer turbo sessions are manageable with an audio book. Also if done right after work, they introduce a delay into reaching for a can of beer from the fridge for a good bit which is "a good thing (tm)".

Harrybelafonte · 03-04-2020 9:00am

For anyone suffering with physio-type needs like myself, I know these can be super specific, but I've found mobility work like that found on https://gmb.io/ to be very useful.

a148pro · 03-04-2020 9:21am

CramCycle wrote: »

Met an RTE News worker today as I cycled in, we had a conversation as he cycled in the cycle lane and I stayed on the right of the bus lane. It was interesting to have a commute conversation where we didn't have to go shoulder to shoulder or shout. I never realised hiw much noise cars generate in the background. Bus drivers were bang on as well.

In first few days at least I definitely noticed drivers being more accommodating to each other, letting each other out etc., was very nice. People feel safe in their cars obviously, walking on the street its like they're in zombie defence mode

Has anyone else noticed the birds? You can hear them so clearly now with the lesser work / traffic noise?

Stark · 03-04-2020 9:24am

a148pro wrote: »

Has anyone else noticed the birds? You can hear them so clearly now with the lesser work / traffic noise?

Yes I've definitely noticed that the past week or so. It's lovely.

Blowfish · 03-04-2020 9:39am

hans aus dtschl wrote: »

WWF, surely? I'm obviously not down with the modern lingo.

Think you're definitely a bit out of date, the half naked wrestlers were sued by the panda people so changed their name to WWE back in 2002: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Wide_Fund_for_Nature#Initialism_dispute

terrydel · 03-04-2020 10:21am

ckeego wrote: »

Couple of things jump out from a 74 page thread such as this..

Firstly, what happened to #Bekind? The latest legislation on staying at home and social distancing is, somewhat open to interpretation. In a crisis, it’s better to act, rather than stand by and do nowt but the legislation shouldn’t divide us as a group because of a standpoint or viewpoint.

Bickering, name calling and rants aren’t going to get us through this crisis sane.

I’ve just checked the updated page on gov.ie and it doesn’t say that you can’t go out and exercise (it states that you can) and whether it did say brief exercise, (and the whole barrack lawyering on that phrase) it now says within 2km of your home, nothing more.

80k loops pushing the boundary of a radius isn’t in the spirit of what we’ve been asked but surely the risk of kids and indeed adults wobble riding on footpaths beside busy roads is just as risky and likely to be a burden on stretched Services?

One great piece of advice from elsewhere to get through this we have to do 2 things..
1. Do what we’re told

2. Don’t be a di€k

I’m still sticking on my turbo and an isolated walk but let’s just stay civil and look forward to sunnier days in the saddle on the open road..

Keep well all.

My opinion is that people should stay home, not because they are risking infecting others or getting infected themselves, solo cycling makes those risks negligible. The risk is you have an accident and end up needing to be looked after by a health service that is already at breaking point.
My brother had a very innocuous accident this time last year and ended up in hospital for 3 days, it happens and can happen easily.
I think going out now is enormously selfish and shows a complete disregard for others and the sheer scale of the crisis we are in. If you are so addicted to cycling that you cant even leave it alone for a few weeks in what is the closest any of us will get to a war situation, then you have a different problem to covid19 and I'd suggest you go speak to a psychologist when this crisis is over.
Putting your own needs (and for most its just a hobby) above society's in a global emergency is a very bad look.
Grow up, get a fuller, more rounded, balanced life and buy a turbo trainer.

terrydel · 03-04-2020 11:03am

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

I am too polite here but agree totally. Some people are fxcking obsessing over ways to do what they bloody well want to do. Then acting like spoiled brats because for the first time in their lives they cannot do what they please. They dont care about others, its all about them. Absolute morons. Shame on them is what i say.

Absolutely spot on. Theres a lot of it with us mamil lot.

Eamonnator · 03-04-2020 11:15am

Lumen wrote: »

When did this turn into magicbastarder's gardening channel? :pac:

I'm more concerned about this thread turning into an advice centre for joggers and runners.
If those hoors get their feet in the door, we'll all be be wearing knee length socks and sleeveless tops and forgetting how to ride in a group, before we know where we are. And then we'll be advised to go for a quick dip to waken us up, before our exercise.
It's Armageddon, I tell you, Armageddon.

ckeego · 03-04-2020 11:19am

terrydel wrote: »

My opinion is that people should stay home, not because they are risking infecting others or getting infected themselves, solo cycling makes those risks negligible. The risk is you have an accident and end up needing to be looked after by a health service that is already at breaking point.
My brother had a very innocuous accident this time last year and ended up in hospital for 3 days, it happens and can happen easily.
I think going out now is enormously selfish and shows a complete disregard for others and the sheer scale of the crisis we are in. If you are so addicted to cycling that you cant even leave it alone for a few weeks in what is the closest any of us will get to a war situation, then you have a different problem to covid19 and I'd suggest you go speak to a psychologist when this crisis is over.
Putting your own needs (and for most its just a hobby) above society's in a global emergency is a very bad look.
Grow up, get a fuller, more rounded, balanced life and buy a turbo trainer.

Is this directed at me personally?!

North of 32 · 03-04-2020 11:32am

Rund um Köln has been cancelled

I trained all winter with a view to achieving an ambitious personal target in the open race/sportive/whatever you want to call it. Of course it's the right decision but the buzz would've been unreal.. Zwift races the way forward.

terrydel · 03-04-2020 11:33am

ckeego wrote: »

Is this directed at me personally?!

No, as you said you are not out cycling for non essential reasons right now.

fryup · 03-04-2020 2:15pm

fek it! i'm going for my usual saturday morning cycle...restrictions or no restrictions

Eamonnator · 03-04-2020 2:33pm

fryup wrote: »

fek it! i'm going for my usual saturday morning cycle...restrictions or no restrictions

yea, me too. Beamore Cross and turn for home. 3.7kms in total

benneca1 · 03-04-2020 2:45pm

fryup wrote: »

fek it! i'm going for my usual saturday morning cycle...restrictions or no restrictions

Very sensible idea restrictions always only apply to other people.

thesimpsons · 03-04-2020 3:54pm

terrydel wrote: »

My opinion is that people should stay home, not because they are risking infecting others or getting infected themselves, solo cycling makes those risks negligible. The risk is you have an accident and end up needing to be looked after by a health service that is already at breaking point.
My brother had a very innocuous accident this time last year and ended up in hospital for 3 days, it happens and can happen easily.
I think going out now is enormously selfish and shows a complete disregard for others and the sheer scale of the crisis we are in. If you are so addicted to cycling that you cant even leave it alone for a few weeks in what is the closest any of us will get to a war situation, then you have a different problem to covid19 and I'd suggest you go speak to a psychologist when this crisis is over.
Putting your own needs (and for most its just a hobby) above society's in a global emergency is a very bad look.
Grow up, get a fuller, more rounded, balanced life and buy a turbo trainer.

I don't really think there really are many who have a complete disregard for the scale of the worldwide crisis.

I've had more accidents requiring hospital care from home DIY and running than ever had out on the bike. I find an hour's spin a few times a week does leave me in a good place mentally and I am continuing to do that, and can do it all within the confines of the 2km limit. Its not an addiction to cycling in the least and I question your suggestion to seek out a psychologist for those who continue to cycle as their brief exercise vs a run/walk. Mental health as important as physical health.

I do believe it is no worse than those I've seen who appear to have only taken up running in the last few days and being very honest, many of them look like heart attack candidates.

btw - you can't get a turbo for love nor money at the moment.

benneca1 · 03-04-2020 6:59pm

KOR101 wrote: »

Yes, the restriction should be that nobody gets out of bed.

Yea feck it old folk and sick people are only a burden anyhow who needs em. God forbid that we might be inconvenienced to give them a better chance

fryup · 03-04-2020 10:11pm

fryup wrote: »

fek it! i'm going for my usual saturday morning cycle...restrictions or no restrictions

benneca1 wrote: »

Very sensible idea restrictions always only apply to other people.

excuse me i've been cooped up all week, an early hour weekend spin is not going to harm anyone

Daroxtar · 03-04-2020 10:14pm

Stop being a boll0x for fk sake

Daroxtar · 03-04-2020 10:43pm

Actually, rather than just leave it it that, I'll spell something out to you.
My wife works in a dialysis unit in one of the main hospitals in Dublin. Already they have lost a patient who they've known and had a relationship with for years. It's highly unlikely that they will be the only ones. They also have several staff isolating because of testing positive for the virus.
She's in there at work in an environment where they don't know if they have enough PPE to protect them and even if they do, will they still pick up the virus? There's also the small matter of her bringing it home to myself and the 2 kids. All 3 of us are asthmatics.

Now, if you believe you are causing no harm to anybody else then that's fine. Some grown adults still believe in fairies. But in the tiny possibility that you do have any accident, where are you headed for? What further unnecessary pressure are you going to be putting on an already struggling health service?
What fcking excuse do you really have to go and do something that you have been told not to do?

In my humble opinion, anyone who wants to break the rules because they're having a little hissy at being told to stay the fk inside is an utter ....
That's my take on it.

LennoxR · 03-04-2020 10:53pm

I don't think the moralising and insulting is really helping here, people.

Etc · 03-04-2020 11:21pm

LennoxR wrote: »

I don't think the moralising and insulting is really helping here, people.

The guy shouldn't be winding people up in that case.

magicbastarder · 03-04-2020 11:32pm

LennoxR wrote: »

I don't think the moralising and insulting is really helping here, people.

i agree that it's not 'helping', in that i don't think it's changing people's minds.
but it's to be expected.

not being out on your bike in a week, or two weeks, is not a sacrifice that someone deserves some sort of respite from or reward for. it's that simple.

Stark · 03-04-2020 11:35pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

not being out on your bike in a week, or two weeks, is not a sacrifice that someone deserves some sort of respite from or reward for. it's that simple.

To be fair, there's no way this is all over in two weeks.

magicbastarder · 03-04-2020 11:42pm

true, i was referring to the issue of having had to endure the lockdown for the time we have already.

benneca1 · 04-04-2020 12:54am

fryup wrote: »

excuse me i've been cooped up all week, an early hour weekend spin is not going to harm anyone

Utterly selfish

kingshankly · 04-04-2020 7:57am

Plenty of cyclist on the skerries/ Balbriggan road this morning not the usual big group but plenty of 2&3s

padohaodha · 04-04-2020 8:05am

kingshankly wrote: »

Plenty of cyclist on the skerries/ Balbriggan road this morning not the usual big group but plenty of 2&3s

Selfish

Sonics2k · 04-04-2020 8:15am

I've been doing a lot of volunteer work around Cork City and County over the last two weeks while all this has been going on. Every single day that I'm out I see groups of cyclists, 2-5 of them, out together in bunches going down all types of roads.

It's always frustrating to get stuck behind a group of cyclists on a country road, but now it's even more annoying because those people are not helping to stop the spread.

Stay home for a few weeks, take some time away from the bike and do something else.

rolling boh · 04-04-2020 8:43am

Have no doubt that the longer the restrictions go on the more cyclists will creep out and go back to their usual spins .Have posted earlier that the optics look bad seeing cyclists in lyra on the road obviously going on about their regular spins .It might provoke a bit of a clamp down .

maxamillius · 04-04-2020 9:48am

benneca1 wrote: »

Utterly selfish

Why’s that? If it’s within the 2km radius what’s the problem?

People seem to forget that sometimes a cycle/run is a way of battling and helping with mental health issues. There’s a lot of people that don’t live with families, may have lost there jobs and are seeing no form of social interaction whatsoever. I think it’s unfair to say this is selfish when you have no understanding of this persons life.

I’m referring to solo cycling within the 2km radius, group cycling, straying out of the radius I don’t condone

thesimpsons · 04-04-2020 10:30am

Sonics2k wrote: »

I've been doing a lot of volunteer work around Cork City and County over the last two weeks while all this has been going on. Every single day that I'm out I see groups of cyclists, 2-5 of them, out together in bunches going down all types of roads.

It's always frustrating to get stuck behind a group of cyclists on a country road, but now it's even more annoying because those people are not helping to stop the spread.

Stay home for a few weeks, take some time away from the bike and do something else.

Havent seen any groups out cycling, just the odd other solo person. Very disappointed to hear that there are still some going out. You'd wonder what goes through their heads when listening to news or radio, or any kind of media or even see whats going on shops at all, and hear repeated pleas to not do this. Should be reported really.

Wildly Boaring · 04-04-2020 10:35am

thesimpsons wrote: »

Havent seen any groups out cycling, just the odd other solo person. Very disappointed to hear that there are still some going out. You'd wonder what goes through their heads when listening to news or radio, or any kind of media or even see whats going on shops at all, and hear repeated pleas to not do this. Should be reported really.

Yeah not seen any groups out either.

Was out for a run 2 days ago.
Saw 3 cyclists in full gear about 30 seconds apart.
Had a chuckle at the obviousness of it.

However been on the local Facebook group what "a disgrace" all these cyclists are. Decent thread on it too.

magicbastarder · 04-04-2020 10:36am

as it stands, the gardai don't yet have the powers to compel you to return home (well, as of thursday anyway)
https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2020/0402/1128191-coronavirus-garda-powers/

07Lapierre · 04-04-2020 10:46am

Been out quite a bit and have to say I’m enjoying the solitude of these solo rides.

Enjoy the solitude while it lasts!

smacl · 04-04-2020 10:59am

maxamillius wrote: »

Why’s that? If it’s within the 2km radius what’s the problem?

People seem to forget that sometimes a cycle/run is a way of battling and helping with mental health issues. There’s a lot of people that don’t live with families, may have lost there jobs and are seeing no form of social interaction whatsoever. I think it’s unfair to say this is selfish when you have no understanding of this persons life.

I’m referring to solo cycling within the 2km radius, group cycling, straying out of the radius I don’t condone

In addition to 2km it says 'brief' period of exercise, which is pretty much your own call. I totally agree with the mental health value of cycling outdoors, but personally am limiting it to 30-40 minutes a day.

Accidents and social distancing aside, by actively discussing pushing the boundaries of what's acceptable you encourage others to do the same. As more people do this the negative net effect increases and given we're still a bit away from the peak of this thing in Ireland, I'd guess it would mean even stricter lock downs later on.

My approach is brief daily cycles for the head supplemented by other exercise at home. If your mental health is dependent on longer cycles, I'd recommend looking for some substitutes as this thing is liable to get worse before it gets better.

Large bottle small glass · 04-04-2020 11:02am

While anger is understandable towards people questioning restrictions, in my view questioning the restrictions is a good thing.

There is no doubt people will suffer and die because of the restrictions; our hope in this public health experiment is that we are on right side of scales.

My sister works as a community type nurse, primarily administering drugs to cancer patients. Many of those, and I presume throughout the country, have received letters than their cancer treatment has been cancelled. Is the son/daughter of person after getting one of those letters a cnut for spending an hour on their bike trying to get some headspace?

Domestic violence has increased in jurisdictions with lockdowns; will it be any different here?

The mental health aspect of this crisis could be gigantic. The garden for families of suicide victims beside my house is effectively closed, as is the community workshop. This is in a region with the highest prescription rate for antidepressants and in which the psychiatric hospital was closed during recession.

People awaiting many treatments have their lives on hold, many in pain and more at and increased risk of dying.

Spare a thought for people falling on the wrong side of our blunt instrument, even if it is the best we can do in the circumstances.

magicbastarder · 04-04-2020 11:03am

smacl wrote: »

As more people do this the negative net effect increases and given we're still a bit away from the peak of this thing in Ireland, I'd guess it would mean even stricter lock downs later on.

it actually reminds me a little of the anti-vax movement to an extent; refusing to partake in a system that you're actually benefitting from. if only a few people do it, there is probably minimal harm, but if everyone has the same attitude, the harm quickly (and exponentially) increases.

anyway, as i've seen in a few memes, these anti-vaxxers had better stick to their principles and refuse a covid-19 vaccine if and when one becomes available.

magicbastarder · 04-04-2020 11:08am

Large bottle small glass wrote: »

Spare a thought for people falling on the wrong side of our blunt instrument, even if it is the best we can do in the circumstances.

i don't think anyone here is disagreeing with any of that. well, i like to think not anyway.

i would like to think that anyone who *is* going out for rides which ignore the restrictions for genuine mental health reasons isn't sharing it on strava.
i suspect a lot (not going to make a more specific guess as to the proportion) of the people who are heading out and uploading it to strava are doing so because they simply feel it's of no consequence.

Harrybelafonte · 04-04-2020 11:49am

One of the other possible, long-term negative effects of many cyclists visibly ignoring the restrictions is increased anger directed at them by the general public. There will be long-term consequences for many groups and how they acted during the crisis when it's over. Any goodwill cyclists as a group had could be wiped out, whether it's a minority at it or not.

Something tells me those who've decided to test the restrictions are not exactly group or community minded to begin with.

As for comments about being kind and to avoid moralising. This is exactly the extreme situation that requires a more aggressive kind of reaction. We're talking about saving lives by sensibly restricting movements and being more conscious of ourselves and others. Many of us on this forum have admitted to mental health issues. It's not fun for anyone to be restricted, but there are other ways to working on your mental wellness. Most importantly, your mental wellness does not supersede someone's life, no matter how unlikely you feel that your actions would bring that result about.

And with that extra bit of moralising, I'm out.

LennoxR · 04-04-2020 11:51am

It's good to see some sensible posts. Basically the reason for not getting kitted out and going on long spins is to set a good example, so that more people are influenced to follow the directives. I support this.

However it is becoming a thing now (on here anyway) where people are projecting their fears and anger onto other people in kind of bandwagon effect. 'Selfish 'cnut' f*ckers etc'. This is known as scapegoating, I believe, and is not helpful to anyone. E.g. the post above appears to blame someone going for a cycle for his partner not being properly equipped with PPE. How does this add up?

Cycling solo does not spread contagion and the chances of an accident requiring hospitalisation, while real, are very low. On the other hand, this lockdown, where many people are stuck at home, on their own, worrying about older relatives, and heir own livelihoods, does have a mental health cost. The situation is not normal. I don't see a thing wrong with people going out on short spins to alleviate this for a time.

Harrybelafonte · 04-04-2020 12:15pm

LennoxR wrote: »

It's good to see some sensible posts. Basically the reason for not getting kitted out and going on long spins is to set a good example, so that more people are influenced to follow the directives. I support this.

However it is becoming a thing now (on here anyway) where people are projecting their fears and anger onto other people in kind of bandwagon effect. 'Selfish 'cnut' f*ckers etc'. This is known as scapegoating, I believe, and is not helpful to anyone. E.g. the post above appears to blame someone going for a cycle for his partner not being properly equipped with PPE. How does this add up?

Cycling solo does not spread contagion and the chances of an accident requiring hospitalisation, while real, are very low. On the other hand, this lockdown, where many people are stuck at home, on their own, worrying about older relatives, and heir own livelihoods, does have a mental health cost. The situation is not normal. I don't see a thing wrong with people going out on short spins to alleviate this for a time.

So, in essence, what you're saying is that your knowledge of the world, and understanding of it, puts you in a position to better decide how we should or should not act in a pandemic, than the powers that be who have enacted the 2km resrtiction. That's pretty much how your post reads.

Secondly, no, that's not scapegoating. Scapegoating is blaming one person for the actions of another. We're targeting people for their own actions. Are we talking about projection and blame shifting maybe?

Oh, sorry, I said I was out. I'm out this time, honestly.

LennoxR · 04-04-2020 12:22pm

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

So, in essence, what you're saying is that your knowledge of the world, and understanding of it, puts you in a position to better decide how we should or should not act in a pandemic, than the powers that be who have enacted the 2km resrtiction. That's pretty much how your post reads.

Secondly, no, that's not scapegoating. Scapegoating is blaming one person for the actions of another. We're targeting people for their own actions. Are we talking about projection and blame shifting maybe?

Yeah that's what I was getting at, alright, thank you. Where did I say not to obey the 2 km restriction?

People above, blaming cyclists for spreading contagion, and medical staff not being properly equipped: does this add up to you definition of scapegoating or not? Are either of these valid criticisms?

hesker · 04-04-2020 12:36pm

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

Yeah not seen any groups out either.

Was out for a run 2 days ago.
Saw 3 cyclists in full gear about 30 seconds apart.
Had a chuckle at the obviousness of it.

The obviousness of what. Can you explain?

I’ve no idea what these guys were up to but it is possible to wear cycling gear and stay within 2 km. Not every cyclist is breaking the rules.

It’s getting like if you want to go for a brief spin within 2km that you have to go out in disguise.

railer201 · 04-04-2020 12:36pm

smacl wrote: »

In addition to 2km it says 'brief' period of exercise, which is pretty much your own call. I totally agree with the mental health value of cycling outdoors, but personally am limiting it to 30-40 minutes a day.

Accidents and social distancing aside, by actively discussing pushing the boundaries of what's acceptable you encourage others to do the same. As more people do this the negative net effect increases and given we're still a bit away from the peak of this thing in Ireland, I'd guess it would mean even stricter lock downs later on.

My approach is brief daily cycles for the head supplemented by other exercise at home. If your mental health is dependent on longer cycles, I'd recommend looking for some substitutes as this thing is liable to get worse before it gets better.

I've found walking to be as good if not better than cycling for that post exercise 'feel good' factor. I felt it necessary last year to shed some excess weight and engaged in daily walks in the 2.5 to 5 mile (4-8 km) range. Time wise you're looking at a modest 45 minutes to 1.5 hours max so no big deal.

If cyclists are looking for alternative exercise and are tempted to give it a go, I would suggest listening to some of your favourite music as it helps to distract from the actual walking which some will find boring. The wallpaper when cycling moves much faster and is generally more interesting than the dull suburban surrounds.

Oddly enough, due to this 'harpooning' of 70 plus year olds, I'm managing 2 - 3 mile walks around the back garden in all sorts of circles round shrubs and trees etc., and along with dumbbells, press ups, step ups, I feel fine from both the physical and mental health point of view with rosy red cheeks to boot !

Let's all remember to keep doing our bit to flatten the curve !

Lumen · 04-04-2020 12:40pm

Close the shops, people go walking on public rights of way. Close those, people go to the park. Close those, people get their bikes out. It's a molewhack.

The reason for the 2km restriction is to make going out less appealing. Yes, it's crap. That's the point! So you don't bother.

If I didn't have the 2km restriction I'd be up in the hills. As it is I'm working my way up to a turbo spin in the garden because it's more appealing than going up and down the hill outside my house.

The fundamental issue is that in many places, there just isn't the space for people to be all out at the same time. We have planned and architected our shared spaces around our social nature. Case in point: Dublin mountains. Dense spruce forest (don't get me started) with car parks all linked together by skinny trails for walking on. We're just not set up for this!

The funniest lack-of-awareness posts on social media are when people say "since they closed the X I go there and it's really quiet, so what's the problem?". Eh, you are. :pac:

Corona Virus & cycling impact (see mode note post 1322)

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