Cycling during lockdown - are you altering your routes?

[PurpleDandelions]

So far I've been carrying on cycling as usual but I've heard that others are adapting their routes to stay closer to home. Can't see much benefit in this tbh. I am staying well away from my nearest town though - keeping to quieter roads.

Accidentally cycled through 3 counties today?
Not very far from home though. We live very near a county triple point. It's hard to avoid crossing country borders near here.

We aren't because the NHS here has said they can't cope with extra non covid cases. Don't want to end up in hospital.

So you've stopped cycling completely?
For me the health benefits of cycling as so huge that I can't imagine giving up. I'm recovering from major illness/surgery I am super careful though and keep to roads that are virtually traffic free.

I've stuck to zwift this weekend because of the snow and ice, when I get back out I'm planning to go no more than 10-15 miles from home, sticking to routes I know well.

I've always been within 15 miles of home but that's because I'm too unfit to go any further

Sticking to zwift- partly due to snow and ice here, partly as I feel risking injury (and requiring NHS care) is a bit selfish.

I'm probably a bit over cautious and over sensitive due to having family/friends currently working in a&e and intensive care though

We've been super lucky to avoid having snow/ice. Agree it would be daft to risk icy conditions.

Zwift here too

Ok zwift people.
What would I need to be able to use it?
And given that I have repeatedly failed to ever use my exercise bike is there any reason to think that zwift will be different?

Any why if everyone is on zwift are the roads round here still super busy with cyclists?

I’ve largely been sticking to indoors purely because it’s been icy and I’d never normally risk a road ride if there’s ice. Every year I promise myself I’ll get ice tyres, then when it comes to it they’ve sold out. Grrr. When conditions have allowed I’ve done my normal 3-4 hour routes. I’ve also taken DS out in the trailer to various parks in different villages and we’ve stopped for picnics (too cold to stop more than 15 minutes even with snuggling under a blanket together). Big deal! I’ve no intention of stopping or reining in my cycling under the false assertion it’s a risky activity or it spreads covid. If I start seeing it as risky I may as well also avoid the stairs in my house, crossing the road, driving anywhere etc. I’ve also enjoyed meeting up with friends (one at a time) for social rides. Being a cyclist keeps me sane and positive particularly during this shit. I really can’t see what difference staying ‘local’ whatever that means makes vs a longer ride when you’re out with a mate or on your own on standard country lanes. Even on busier A roads you don’t actually come into contact with anyone. It’s not like you snot rocket over pedestrians when passing through towns. What I can’t get my head around is we’re encouraged to walk or cycle to work (if you can’t WFH)... yet my workplace really isn’t remotely local, I’m still cycle commuting there (why wouldn’t I, it’s what I do). But that’s OK?! I’m also driving out with DS (age 4) to flat off-road cycle trails so he can ride safely/ easily (no gears) whilst I run. We’re limited to a tennis court within our town for places he can safely/ easily ride - live in a very old, hilly, largely pavement less town.

I’ve not altered my routes. At this time of year it’s too cold to be out for anything more than 2 hours anyway. I figure if I can cycle somewhere then it’s local.....I’m not exactly Bradley Wiggins.

@PurpleDandelions

Ok zwift people. What would I need to be able to use it? And given that I have repeatedly failed to ever use my exercise bike is there any reason to think that zwift will be different?

I used to use Zwift. Had an old, dumb turbo. A wahoo speed sensor thing on the back wheel. Used my iPad for zwift so bought a handlebar mount for the iPad. Loved it the first few times and then the novelty wore off. I was bored, it was hard work and not enjoyable. I was pedalling like mad and not really moving at any decent speed on the screen. Much prefer being outside.

Thanks all.
I think I'll stick to doing my exercise outdoors. It's kept me sane so far over the last 9 months.

Current plan is to take up running for the days where the weather is too shit to cycle. I hate running and I'm really awful at it but it's got to be better than cycling inside.
And I'm going set a rough limit on my cycling of staying about 10miles from home. We're spoiled for good local routes so I can't really justify going further afield.

If it help (unless you’re already a seasoned runner), I always do my version of C25K when I start back running, to get my muscles used to running again. It takes me a few weeks before I can start pushing. I also keep off road so there’s less impact. It’s tough when you’re fit as you have a big engine so can push hard, but invariably it leads to injury (with me anyway) as the running muscles aren’t strong enough to cope.

Thanks. I'm scared of off road right now as it's all so muddy. But I hadn't thought about impact.
I'm definitely taking it slow. My body it pretty wrecked right now following illness and surgery.