Lost confidence cycling due to the pandemic

bouicca21

As a sort of PS, yes Google and others can (but not always) give a profile of the route, but I have yet to find out how to match the profile to the route.  

dannie

Hi, thanks have read through all your useful replies. 

My cycling would be outdoors alone as always.  The mileage up to 5 miles max.  Still not been out for a "spin" yet.  Disappointed to hear about the lack of consideration about those also outdoors.  This also seems to be the prevalent theme in my neighbourhood, as viewed from the window/noise.  My mental health seems to be adversely affected by this. 

Some people out walking are wearing "face masks" versus some not applying any "social distance" at all where I am located.  What if anybody should pass by (on foot or road users) to you on your bike suddenly?  Is that a "CV" risk?  I would feel insecure about that aspect.

Nice Loch photo Johnmc17.

olgadapolga

dannie said:

Hi, thanks have read through all your useful replies. 

My cycling would be outdoors alone as always.  The mileage up to 5 miles max.  Still not been out for a "spin" yet.  Disappointed to hear about the lack of consideration about those also outdoors.  This also seems to be the prevalent theme in my neighbourhood, as viewed from the window/noise.  My mental health seems to be adversely affected by this. 

Some people out walking are wearing "face masks" versus some not applying any "social distance" at all where I am located.  What if anybody should pass by (on foot or road users) to you on your bike suddenly?  Is that a "CV" risk?  I would feel insecure about that aspect.

Nice Loch photo Johnmc17.

I don't think that you could say with any certainty that there is no risk, but it's probably quite low. I've had a few cyclists go past me way too close - they seem unaware of the social distancing - but I just get on with my ride. No point in worrying about it. 

As for face masks, at the moment that's an individual choice I believe. I personally think that they are pretty pointless because people I've seen wearing them are not using them correctly as the masks are loose and hang off their faces (I was a midwife so was taught how to use them properly) and they seem to forget that the virus can still get on their faces, eyes and any other exposed areas. I'm sure that people just use them to make themselves feel better and that's fine.

If you are keen to get out on your bike, and it sounds very much as if you need a break from your home environment, why not try it? If you don't have a go, you will never know if it's going to help or not. Maybe find a route that gets you away from the possibility of coming into contact with others, or if you are unable to do that, get up early and go - it's light by about 5am at the moment.

wongataa

dannie said:

What if anybody should pass by (on foot or road users) to you on your bike suddenly?  Is that a "CV" risk?  I would feel insecure about that aspect.

The risk of catching anything in this situation really is very very small.  People don't spread this virus by breathing.  It is spread by droplets and they need to be coughed or sneezed out (I'll disregard transmission by touching in this situation) and any droplets emitted will be dispersed quickly by wind.  The chances of you passing someone who is infectious just as they cough up a load of virus containing droplets just as you quickly pass next to them and you manage to breathe in enough of them to cause an infection (it takes a reasonable dose to start an infection, not just one droplet) is small enough to not worry about.  Possible, yes.  Likely, no.

alembicbassman

I've been out and about almost every day on the bike since being canned by my employer. Luckily it's fairly rural round South Yorkshire. I can ride for an hour on the mountain bike and only see half a dozen people walking dogs etc... I used to do 30-40 miles on the road bike, but that's 2-3 hours riding. So the mountain bike allows me to keep local and ride a few trails and tracks.

bouicca21

I find that social distancing is easier on a bike than as a pedestrian.  Where I live people are very observant of the rules, and we all thank each other for getting out of the way.  Friends have told me that they avoid certain rural main roads because they are relatively narrow and drivers have taken to speeding.  Just get out there and try it.

Frankly I feel more at risk by staying home, because i live alone and it is easy to get depressed.  

dannie

Hi, saw your comments the other day and didn't have the time to reply.  Just to say "thanks" really and that I had previously thought about the topics that you mentioned.  Also, nice to see your photos again - by alembicbassman this time.

Anyway, did "give it a go" and had two small outings.  The first yesterday was harder i.e. the first time out the front gate and then coping with the outdoor environment but today, felt I managed much better.  Thanks again for all the replies!

olgadapolga

dannie said:

Hi, saw your comments the other day and didn't have the time to reply.  Just to say "thanks" really and that I had previously thought about the topics that you mentioned.  Also, nice to see your photos again - by alembicbassman this time.

Anyway, did "give it a go" and had two small outings.  The first yesterday was harder i.e. the first time out the front gate and then coping with the outdoor environment but today, felt I managed much better.  Thanks again for all the replies!

Really, really pleased to hear this. Each time will get easier, physically and mentally, now you've cleared the first hurdle of getting out there. Well done

bouicca21

Well done.  This time last year I was terrified of cycling on relatively quiet back roads.  I’m now cycling on main A roads, I am also much fitter. I can even manage the occasional hill.  Just keep getting out there and when lockdown is over sign up for bikeability courses.  

cloudwalker_3

I'm cycling every now and then although not daily. Mostly just runs to the shops and to help the local Covid19 support group with deliveries of food and so on.

For what it's worth because we have a son, a few years ago we brought a cargo bike (If anyone's curious it's a Babboe Big-E - definitely one of the best things we've ever purchased) so that we could take him (and three friends) around in it. Neither of us drive so it's also useful for getting shopping and moving stuff around. When the four seats are folded up it's pretty cavernous (about the size of a small washing machine) and we can get a ton of shopping in it and it's even large with our son in it and the shopping.

In terms of pandemic safety measures, I'm not taking any personally, with the exception of passing other cyclists widely (2m) when I'm on the road. Irritatingly however I've had lots of other cyclists pass me much, much too closely which has left me feeling quite uncomfortable. So far I've not caught the virus though so hopefully this is more about my worries than actual risk.

It is enjoyable though to get out and about and in addition to the direct physical befits to your musculoskeletal system getting fresh air in your lungs is a real tonic, IMHO. I think you should try it basically.

Either way, hang in there.