Lockdown cycling with friends. AIBU?

[Georgeandthemadcatsmummy]

I'm almost ashamed to write this because I believe so strongly that I'm right but here goes...

My partner is planning to cycle 50 or so miles tomorrow in his regular cycling group of 4-5 men. This usually takes 3 or so hours and involves a coffee and a chat half way around, but I'm not sure if they're planning to forgo that bit or not. Coffee places still seem to be open for takeaway around me.

I've told him I think it's against the rules of lockdown and he shouldn't do it, but not only that, it's incredibly short sighted as there are many people suffering whilst sticking wholeheartedly to the rules.

I believe he's justifying on the basis it's exercise, which I've told him if it's that he can go out on his own, and that he believes he can social distance so it's ok.

Am I being unreasonable or is he??

Running group of 6 in small village. Met at usual time, in 3 different locations. 3 different runs - didn't bump into each other, and then swapped photos and compared notes on strava once we got back. It's not the same but it works - and it's legal.
He's being a jerk.

Why do people now think it's acceptable to treat other adults like children who can't think for themselves?

Brokenmyspirit
OP. You're right. A group of 4 not from the same household isn't allowed, however low the risk may be. Two sets of 2, would be ok. Maybe they could split and just keep a bit more distance between them?

The only reason I would not do this myself is because I wouldn't want to be snitched on, or pulled over by some bored police officer and fined.

No other reason.

Noticeable today when out walking that the cyclists who were not a family (parent(s) and child) were very well apart and not cycling as a group as they normally do in my area.

There really cannot be anything wrong with people getting out in the fresh air and getting exercise. It should be encouraged as much as possible.

@HesterShaw1

There really cannot be anything wrong with people getting out in the fresh air and getting exercise. It should be encouraged as much as possible.

It is. British Cycling are running a sicual media campaign to encourage people to cycle during lockdown. Alone. With their household. Or with one other person. Its really not that difficult. I miss club rides as much as anyone but for a few weeks I can stick to the law without it majorly impacting on my well being.

Well good!

People will always push the boundaries. It is far better that they do so as a group of three or more cycling outside than by crowding into someone's front room with the windows shut and the curtains closed to share a few beers.

It's against the rules.
If we just follow the rules the numbers will go down quicker then we can do what we want again.

Your DH and his friends are clearly the sort of cyclists who give the sport/hobby a bad name. The rule says 2 people not from the same household can exercise together (distancing). How much less complicated can it be.
Reminds me of when DS, DH & I went out for a bike ride at the end of the summer and stopped off at an outdoor cafe which is in a popular local beauty spot. A small group of cyclists were already there when we arrived but more and more kept arriving. There was absolutely no social distancing - some of them were greeting each other with a hug. Many of them were wearing a local cycling club top so we knew where they were from. These were mostly middle aged people who should have known better.
Your DH is a grown up who needs to accept the compromise we all need to make for the greater good. If he were to fall off his bike or have a puncture when he is with 1 friend then the 1 friend will no doubt come to his aid. If it happens when he is with 5 friends then I wouldn't mind betting they'd all be helping with no social distancing bringing him into contact with many more people.

@Nottherealslimshady

It's against the rules. If we just follow the rules the numbers will go down quicker then we can do what we want again.

Do people really still think this?

@Nottherealslimshady

It's against the rules. If we just follow the rules the numbers will go down quicker then we can do what we want again.

I really don’t believe that anymore. The virus isn’t going away. Lockdown is to protect the NHS. Look at Covid admissions. Come 3rd December when we are all Back in the pub then what?

On the spot fines being applied already.

It's against the rules.
If we just follow the rules the numbers will go down quicker then we can do what we want again.

Some of the rules. Cycling outdoors has a minuscule risk but the government has gone for simplicity and clarity of message over actual effect on the R.

There were plenty of police out and about this afternoon whilst me & dd were taking a walk. It was noticeable. They’ll be looking for people meeting in groups outside.

I live on the edge of an SSSI - beautiful woodland which also has lots of walking and cycling trails.
I cycled through it this lunchtime (on the road - my cycling is not up to woodland paths) and the police were out stopping groups of cyclists, including three men unloading bikes from the back of a van. The police made them reload the bikes and I heard them say - 'So now you know. Next time it'll be a fine.'
I then stopped for a takeaway coffee at a cafe and three cyclists followed me round to the garden while I was waiting for my order. The boy serving explained to them that it was takeaway only, so they couldn't sit in the garden to eat/ drink.
'Noone will know' they said. 'Technically, Ian shouldn't be with us but we'll take the risk'.
I told them about the police checks and said it wouldn't be fair to the cafe, and (thankfully!) they were reasonable and said they would take their scones with them. I really felt for the lad who is the son of the family owners and only Y11. It shouldn't be his job to police grown adults.

Out for a family walk in some local woods/country park today and quite a few small groups of mountain bikers that I’m pretty sure were not from the same families...

So technically against the rules but honestly I think the risk is very small so I wouldn’t be making a thing about it.

After our walk we (perfectly legally) stopped for a play in the playground where there were a couple of other families. That seems to me higher risk than cycling together

I think it is incredibly unfair to go against the law when we're in a bloody pandemic and people are losing people they love. I don't think sticking to the rules is some kind of sacrifice
But if there are 4 of them,two together and the other 2 200 metres behind, they won't be breaking the law. This what most cyclists have been doing today in my area.

Why are you automatically assuming they won't adjust to cycle within the law?

Its meet up with one other person to exercise outside, not a group of people.

HOWEVER if the police really are focussing on fining people for something like this then I’m absolutely done with this country. In a ten mile radius of where I live, teenagers have lit a bonfire, barricaded the road when the fire service turned up, and attacked the firefighters. Rocks are thrown at passing cars by huge groups of people. Yobs are pushing trolleys out in front of cars at Tesco. I came home from work a few nights ago with my toddler and the street stunk of cannabis. Nothing changes. But yeah, focus police efforts on fining Dave and his three mates for going out for some fresh air, exercise and a good boost to their mental health on a Sunday morning

He's selfish and he knows it.
Makes him look even worse if he tries to defend his actions.
It's like an "up yours".

He’d be finding somewhere else to stay after if he was my partner.

It’s not hard to follow the rules but so many seem to think they don’t apply to them so are doing what they want regardless. Only leaving the home for essentials seems it have bypassed many.

Hi - as a avid cyclist myself, I can totally understand why your partner would want to continue with his rides despite lock down (I actually saw quite a lot out on my commute this morning!) but taking part in any event with that number of people should be a definite no no! he can of course ride (socially distanced) with one other friend which is in line with the governments guidelines, however I understand the rule of 6 was as we were coming out of restrictions unfortunately

Fact checking/further reading tinyurl.com/y6znpwgw

AJ

YANBU my partner said he was going running with 4 of his friends earlier. He soon changed his mind when I was appalled. Idiots.

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss

He’d be finding somewhere else to stay after if he was my partner.

It’s not hard to follow the rules but so many seem to think they don’t apply to them so are doing what they want regardless. Only leaving the home for essentials seems it have bypassed many.

If you're the kind of person who can think critically and who realises that the kind of "rule" which prevents people keeping fit and healthy and happy outside in the fresh air is a fucking stupid one, then yes it is hard to "follow the rules".

Thanks to those replying to me. I feel sad and let down right now. I wanted to add that going out cycling inevitably involves bike repairs at some point - which bike shops can do. But DH's mate wants him to go round to his place for a few beers, at the same time as doing a repair of some kind for him. DH's behaviour changes after he has alcohol - aggression towards me and heavy snoring. I guess this is in store for me tonight. It happened during the first lockdown and the memories of that are upsetting me again now. The mate he's meeting, his marriage is detrimentally affected by his cycling as he is literally obsessed with it. We were in tier 3 and now both are risking others getting infected because of their cycling hobby and drinking. But is this all okay?

This is what the regulations say: Under the current regulations in England, you can only meet up with one person from outside your household, which effectively limits "groups" to no more than two people. Furthermore, these meetings can only take place in public outdoor spaces, not in private homes or gardens. So visiting a friend's house is not currently permitted, whatever the purpose to mates house to get his bike repaired.