Will you continue cycling as normal during coronavirus?

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Comments

  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    The experts aren't clear about what happens to your immunity after hard exertion like races.
    I know I'm more tired after races so I'm just easing it down a bit on the inside training.
    You don't want to overdo things with the virus around and it's not like we will be racing in the next few months anyway.
  • mrb123
    mrb123 Posts: 4,833
    Seems to me that guy was less likely to have a crash than all the people who have suddenly dug their bikes out the garage for the first time in years.
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,473

    neeb said:



    I must admit that given that 1) this is a virus that attacks the lungs specifically, 2) there seem to be some people who are affected much more or less, independent of age and health, and the particular way that the immune response in the lungs happens seems to be key, and 3) as a group engaing in extreme cardiovascular exercise we are probably at one end of the bell curve - I'd be very keen to knw more about this! :-)


    Off topic, but don't forget that the outcome is also largely determined by the dose of virus one is exposed to, which explains the many deaths among young health professionals.
    It is very different whether you are coughed up in the face by a very ill patient or whether you touch a surface that has been previously touched by someone carrying the virus.

    Anyway, totally off topic

    That does almost take us back to the dodgy "herd immunity" idea.. What would happen if everyone under the age of 50 who was fit and healthy was deliberately exposed to a very small dose of the virus and rigorously isolated for a few weeks?

    Much quicker than developing a vaccine.. Doubtless some people would die, but would it save more lives in the long run?

    Obviously I'm not actually advocating this..
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,325
    neeb said:

    neeb said:



    I must admit that given that 1) this is a virus that attacks the lungs specifically, 2) there seem to be some people who are affected much more or less, independent of age and health, and the particular way that the immune response in the lungs happens seems to be key, and 3) as a group engaing in extreme cardiovascular exercise we are probably at one end of the bell curve - I'd be very keen to knw more about this! :-)


    Off topic, but don't forget that the outcome is also largely determined by the dose of virus one is exposed to, which explains the many deaths among young health professionals.
    It is very different whether you are coughed up in the face by a very ill patient or whether you touch a surface that has been previously touched by someone carrying the virus.

    Anyway, totally off topic

    That does almost take us back to the dodgy "herd immunity" idea.. What would happen if everyone under the age of 50 who was fit and healthy was deliberately exposed to a very small dose of the virus and rigorously isolated for a few weeks?

    Much quicker than developing a vaccine.. Doubtless some people would die, but would it save more lives in the long run?

    Obviously I'm not actually advocating this..
    It is what it is... for virus and bacteria dose matters... a few dozen EColi won't do you any harm, a few million might send you to hospital, a few billion might kill you.

    I find it reassuring, it means that as long as I steer clear of people, I should be OK
    left the forum March 2023
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,228

    Edit - I've read some speculation that high intensity makes you more susceptible to a poor outcome if you do catch Covid19. If that becomes accepted I wonder how those that say we should all stay inside and zwift would react - I doubt it's much fun doing 2-3 hours LSD sat in front of a screen..

    Thinking about this logically, i think we need to ask ourselves this question.

    If you were asymptomatic, whether early stages of infection or just by fortune, how much stress would you want to put on your respiratory system?
    I agree with you 100%
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,495
    mrb123 said:

    Seems to me that guy was less likely to have a crash than all the people who have suddenly dug their bikes out the garage for the first time in years.

    True dat. I was catching up to someone yesterday so gave an early shout to make her aware. She damned near fell off while turning round to look.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • bianchimoon
    bianchimoon Posts: 3,942
    The misinformation that surrounds exercise whether it be length or duration is strange. It would be very easy to clarify but the government seems unable or unwilling to address it head on it appears they wait until issues occur then react to them.
    The recent situation in Derbyshire with the police pouring black dye into a beauty spot, flying drones to shame dog walkers or calling out cyclists who wear ‘lycra’ shows that you cannot allow individual officers or forces to just interpret the law. The former Chief Justice calling their actions disgraceful and even Grant Shaps saying that some police officers are too enthusiastic. Just this morning on Sky news a reporter said on air “the government guidance is to exercise for only 1 hour, within 1or 2 Kim’s of home once a day”. Totally untrue. How difficult is it for the government to communicate the actual law to police forces and members of the public.
    I for one am being responsible and shouldn’t have to feel guilty for walking my dog, cycling for 2 hours rather than 1 or being 20 miles from home rather than 1 or even buying an Easter egg while shopping. I do realise that it could be a small minority of officers /forces doing this but if we’re to live by laws clarify them.
    All lies and jest..still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest....
  • Longshot
    Longshot Posts: 940

    The misinformation that surrounds exercise whether it be length or duration is strange. It would be very easy to clarify but the government seems unable or unwilling to address it head on it appears they wait until issues occur then react to them.

    From reading the myriad of opinions on this thread alone, it's arguably easy to understand why they are steering away from being overly prescriptive.

    Also, they've probably identified the fact that there's a mental health benefit as some people only seem happy when they can preach their beliefs at others, no matter how subjective the issue.

    You can fool some of the people all of the time. Concentrate on those people.
  • bianchimoon
    bianchimoon Posts: 3,942
    I agree..
    It's easy people saying use your common sense, but as you say it's subjective. Clarity is key at times like these.
    All lies and jest..still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest....
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    The only time I ended up in A&E due to cycling was a turbo session - so outdoors for me is statistically safer ...
    The advice I've seen is to ride within your capabilities - so don't go off doing loads of climbing if you don't climb well - or doing distances when you're not used to it.
    Personally I know I could knock out 50 miles fairly comfortably, but due to childcare I'll stop down around the 20-30 mile mark.

    Incidentally - wife has just been down to the pharmacy along a cycle path - everyone gathered at pinch points and families having picnics with each other in the open area ....

    I don't think we need complete isolation - ie, a short conversation with a neighbour at a suitable distance should be ok (as long as you're not coughing and sneezing) - otherwise we'll go completely stircrazy - but come of folk - be sensible.
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,473
    Yup, perhaps we should stop pushing for unambiguous guidelines otherwise we'll get them, and they will be one-size-fits-all, designed to prevent people who don't normally cycle going out and injuring themselves..

    There was something Gove said a day or two ago when pushed on the matter:
    "Well, obviously it depends on each individual's fitness - I would have thought that for most people, a walk of up to an hour, or a run of 30 minutes or a cycle ride of between that, depending on their level of fitness is appropriate."

    But he was stressing the "common sense" and "average person" angle so I take that to mean that for a keen, experienced road cyclist an hour or two, or 20 to 40 miles, isn't taking the piss.

    I was out on Sunday and I must admit it was pretty idyllic - roads were empty, which meant it felt extremely safe, and it was very easy to maintain strict social distancing, unlike on the shared pedestrain / cycle paths around here which are mobbed with runners, walkers and families!
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,495
    Yup! I've been deliberately avoiding cycle paths for the past week for this very reason.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • Charlie_Croker
    Charlie_Croker Posts: 1,727
    neeb said:

    Yup, perhaps we should stop pushing for unambiguous guidelines otherwise we'll get them, and they will be one-size-fits-all, designed to prevent people who don't normally cycle going out and injuring themselves.

    Precisely, be careful what you wish for
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,325
    edited March 2020
    I'm building fitness aiming at 30 miles in 90 minutes, which seems a sensible time to spend outdoors... today it took me 94 minutes, but it was still a bit breezy... might manage the magic number soon... with zero traffic I can even venture on some A roads I normally avoid... :D
    left the forum March 2023
  • redvision
    redvision Posts: 2,958

    I'm building fitness aiming at 30 miles in 90 minutes, which seems a sensible time to spend outdoors... today it took me 94 minutes, but it was still a bit breezy... might manage the magic number soon... with zero traffic I can even venture on some A roads I normally avoid... :D

    Just be careful. Lower traffic volumes tends to temp those on the roads to travel faster.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,325
    redvision said:

    I'm building fitness aiming at 30 miles in 90 minutes, which seems a sensible time to spend outdoors... today it took me 94 minutes, but it was still a bit breezy... might manage the magic number soon... with zero traffic I can even venture on some A roads I normally avoid... :D

    Just be careful. Lower traffic volumes tends to temp those on the roads to travel faster.
    They are pretty wide A roads, safe even in heavy traffic, just not very pleasant to ride on... right now you can do half a mile without crossing a car either direction
    left the forum March 2023
  • bianchimoon
    bianchimoon Posts: 3,942

    I'm building fitness aiming at 30 miles in 90 minutes, which seems a sensible time to spend outdoors... today it took me 94 minutes, but it was still a bit breezy... might manage the magic number soon... with zero traffic I can even venture on some A roads I normally avoid... :D

    warm weather due Sunday, but brisk southerly, is it cheating to plan route accordingly ;)
    All lies and jest..still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest....
  • redvision
    redvision Posts: 2,958
    edited March 2020
    You're lucky ugo! I'm in mid Wales and live just off a main road. We have started to notice fewer cars on the roads but far more Hgv's and vans, and hardly any of the traffic is respecting the 30mph zone. Seems they think they have a licence to speed if less traffic*

    *note of course this isn't true of all van and hgv drivers, just the ones we've observed locally

  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437


    The recent situation in Derbyshire with the police pouring black dye into a beauty spot,

    I think this happens anyway at a number of locations round the country - theres some beautiful blue lakes - but the blue is from chemicals in the ground and whilst it looks tempting - its like swimming in bleach. So they dye it black and it puts people off. Nothing new.
  • DeVlaeminck
    DeVlaeminck Posts: 9,108
    To be fair to Derbyshire Police that is a former quarry and it's not the first time they've used dye to deter people.
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpur_Hill_Quarry
    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,325
    fenix said:


    The recent situation in Derbyshire with the police pouring black dye into a beauty spot,

    I think this happens anyway at a number of locations round the country - theres some beautiful blue lakes - but the blue is from chemicals in the ground and whilst it looks tempting - its like swimming in bleach. So they dye it black and it puts people off. Nothing new.
    The blue is because the mineral (limestone) is white and therefore water takes the colour of the sky. The pH is about 11, due to the mineral itself being alkaline and the process of extraction having used lime. Per se it won't kill you and it's not like bleach... bleach is a strong oxidant, lime is not. The pH of old fashioned soap is probably not far off 11... might give you a very dry skin and irritate your eyes for sure.
    left the forum March 2023
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    I just feel sorry for the fish...
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    Very clean fish mind you.
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,495

    I just feel sorry for the fish...

    Curious as to how fish get in a quarry?
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • bianchimoon
    bianchimoon Posts: 3,942
    Just shows how hake news is spread
    All lies and jest..still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest....
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    pblakeney said:

    I just feel sorry for the fish...

    Curious as to how fish get in a quarry?
    Me too ;)
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,228
    pblakeney said:

    I just feel sorry for the fish...

    Curious as to how fish get in a quarry?
    Rock salmon.
  • Charlie_Croker
    Charlie_Croker Posts: 1,727

    pblakeney said:

    I just feel sorry for the fish...

    Curious as to how fish get in a quarry?
    Rock salmon.
    I'm reading this...        and looking at the date :/
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028

    pblakeney said:

    I just feel sorry for the fish...

    Curious as to how fish get in a quarry?
    Rock salmon.
    or stonefish..?

  • manglier
    manglier Posts: 1,298

    I'm building fitness aiming at 30 miles in 90 minutes, which seems a sensible time to spend outdoors... today it took me 94 minutes, but it was still a bit breezy... might manage the magic number soon... with zero traffic I can even venture on some A roads I normally avoid... :D

    warm weather due Sunday, but brisk southerly, is it cheating to plan route accordingly ;)
    Not cheating at all; headwind out, tailwind home as usual. Many a fine KOM acquired that way, especially when the wind is from an uncommon direction.