To ride or not to ride??

[Moto63]

That is the question?..... should one go out for a recreational ride out? Given the amount of NHS resources it must have taken to sort me out after my accident. When you consider they must already be pushed to the limit with this Coronavirus. Plus will most likely get worse before it gets better. Does one go out for what is ultimately a unnecessary journey. My heart says yes but my head says no. Dilemma. Be interested to get a general view point... cheers Michael

[spooky]

Yes it's a difficu!t choice, I am going out occasionaly and being much more cautious than usual, but there is a lot less traffic as well.

[Richard]

I'm not going. 

All day we have had motorcycles heading past my house heading for the coast.  The biker cafe in Aberystwyth has done a roaring trade in takeaways all day to the annoyance of locals.

I work in the emergency services and would be very pissed off if we had a call out to an accident involving them.  There is enough on at the moment.

[themoudie]

Have decided against going for a canter.

Having had a low speed broadside collision and then seen the amount of resources that were given me, I don't wish to take those resources away in this critical time.

We had large groups of motorcyclists past today and the usual loony antics were much in evidence.    The 'super car' owners (Ferrari, Porsche, Evos, Audi 8, Focus RS, etc. are also out in force and using the right pedal!   Mix these with lemmings in motorhomes, locust bulk shoppers and our farming friends with tractors, ploughs and huge combi-drill/cultivator combinations that only just fit in a lane, if the machine isn't waltzing due to it's speed or road undulations and things can get 'close'.

Some motorcyclists also appear oblivious to the volume of crap, now dried and like wee marbles, up the middle of each lane. Large plumes of dust from the rear wheels indicate when riders are hitting or crossing them. The lines of many are just sh1te!

If you catch the lurgy, you may no swing your leg over, ever again!

Go canny, regards, Bill

[CrazyFrog]

Ditto. Reluctantly decided against leisure rides, but may still have to use the bike to get to work if I can't work from home.

Still intending to go out on the push bike for circular non stop fitness rides though.

[iansoady]

Something I've been considering as well but like others have decided it would not be sensible and would not like to be an A&E doctor treating someone who's injured themselves just having fun.

[spooky]

Hoards of cyclists whizzing around in lycra, maybe they should stay at home as well.. Lots of old folks trying to walk 'off road' when I was out walking yesterday as well. Sprained ankle anyone ?   Just be careful !!

[Moto63]

“MAMIL’s”.... I think they’re called nowadays spooky. Middle aged men in Lycra.
Obviously Pete doesn’t fit into that category, as I’m sure when he goes out he wears his tweed three quarter lengths and his polo neck jumper 😉😉

[CrazyFrog]

I didn't realise you'd seen me Michael? 

Sadly, I think it's the 'middle aged' bit that doesn't apply anymore michael. 

I have an old Raleigh hybrid bike these days, and my progress is somewhat leisurely...

[spooky]

I used to be middle aged i think.....

[mthee]

I'm in! Having been charging ahead with the work needed to finish the XBR in time for the big Mayday Bike Run in Hastings, I now find myself looking at eking out the work, or I'll end up being put to work in the garden, or worse, decorating 

[spooky]

I am getting on with replacing a garden fence, also general tinkering with bikes, fritters were out again last night and roads around me are white !

[spooky]

Well that settles the matter for me, panniers and rear carrier with box for the enfield, then off to Tesco to do the shopping..

[Smithy]

Up to now I have resisted joining this debate as I know it is a very emotional topic and that when feelings run high then tempers can sometimes flare. If you don't like what I have to say just ignore it as the ravings of a fat old man.

The things that worry me about all of this lockdown, isolate culture are two fold; anxiety and economics. I went to see my son two weeks ago (he is 40 this year) and he ended up yelling at me that I have to take this seriously and described me in several expletives for not seeing things his way. That level of anxiety is reflected elsewhere in people I have talked to and anxiety increases susceptibility to virus infection.

Secondly the economic disaster which awaits from closing all of the small and medium sized businesses in Britain will far outweigh the current situation. Businesses who rely on regular cashflow to survive can't take up the offer of a government loan as they won't have any chance of catching up in the future with lost revenue.

Ok the virus can kill, but last year I nearly died in hospital from flu and community acquired pneumonia from working with the people I work with. People I still have to work with which means I have to ride to work. I also have to ride to the shops for food. So if I take the chance to ride for pleasure now and then for the good of my mental well-being then so be it.

By all means be sensible and be respectful of the restrictions but don't give up life as that way lies madness.

Ian

[themoudie]

Aye Ian,

They don't appear to be "ravings" and whether you are "fat and old", I cannot assess, end of.

Mmmmm! The lockdown and economics, resulting in anxiety. I agree, but I am in a fortunate position not to be couped up in close proximity to other people and can still support my local essential businesses.

As for the virus, the 'developed'  world has 'forgotten' about viral infections and their ability to mutate. Has anybody made a review of the Spanish flu pandemic? A summary pulled from a publication from 2010 "The Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, the deadliest in history, infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide—about one-third of the planet’s population—and killed an estimated 20 million to 50 million victims" : www.history.com › topics › world-war-i › 1918-flu-pandemic


"Economics", is THE problem!   Theorising by educated individuals, wishing to speculate and forecast on what things might be worth. All based upon the underlying premis that the resources upon which this theory is based are infinite. I disagree; the resources are finite and not readily available. Whilst the individuals maybe educated, they are not necessarily savvy or compassionate.

Like overcrowded mice and rat populations our time will come for a population crash. How, where, when, I have no idea.

As the late great Dave Allen said "And may your God go with you!". We make our choices and then have to live with them, all spiced up by mutation and chaos!

Go canny and enjoy your riding.

Good health, Bill