I’m really not quite sure where to begin when it comes to tackling this subject, so I’m going to keep this brief.
To tackle the spread of COVID-19, cafes, pubs and sit-in restaurants have been closed. However, you’ll be pleased to know that our cycle cafes are still functioning as workshops, should you need to have your bike fixed.
We’ve seen social media posts from both Plan2Ride in Tongwynlais and Ride My Bike in the city centre confirming that their workshops remain open.
Plan2Ride said this:
Ride My Bike Cafe have said this:
https://twitter.com/ridemybikecafe/status/1241667328095518724?s=20
Should you ride?
This one’s a little complicated, so here goes. You still need to exercise to remain healthy, but you also need to keep your distance from people, so not to spread the virus around. The danger with COVID-19 is not that it is especially lethal to young, healthy individual, but it can be carried around for weeks without symptoms appearing. You may feel fine, but you may have already passed it onto someone who can least afford to catch it. It will make pretty short work of anyone with an underlying condition, or is getting on in their years –that means that most of us will have loved ones who are facing an existential threat.
Chris Boardman has some sage advice here:
Another thing to keep in mind is that whilst regular moderate exercise is good for your immune system, shortly after vigorous exercise –due to the production of cortisol and adrenaline during exercise, your immune system is likely to be suppressed for up to 72 hours afterwards.
There is evidence that too much intense exercise can reduce immunity. Research is showing that more than 90 minutes of high-intensity endurance exercise can make athletes susceptible to illness for up to 72 hours after the exercise session. This is important information for those who compete in longer events such as marathons or triathlons.
via Can Too Much Exercise Decrease Your Immunity?
So yes, you should exercise, but you should do it in moderation and at the moment, definitely alone.
You should also keep in mind that the emergency services have more pressing priorities than rescuing you from Pen-y-Fan or Snowdon, or from removing your head from a tree stump, so please try to stay out of harms way as best you can.
It still feels as though people are failing to grasp what this all means. It’s not “time off”, this is an infectious disease that we have no inherent immunity to. GPs are writing to 70,000 of the most vulnerable people, asking them to stay indoors. To put that into perspective, that’s nearly the Principality Stadium at capacity. If it continues to accelerate, restrictions on our daily lives will likely only increase.
It is NOT like the flu. The flu is less communicable than COVID-19, it’s also less deadly than COVID-19. The World Health Organisation estimates that 1 in 5 of those infected with the virus will need hospital care, which is why, as Lee Waters explains below, is why hospitals are currently converting their canteens to house patients.
Gig Economy
We wrote some time ago about the gig economy, but it’s something we should bring up again here. As I understand it, restaurants can still open as takeaways, so Deliveroo and Uber Eats are still operating and their riders still riding.
However, their situation is likely to be quite precarious at the best of times, but now more than ever. If you have food delivered, please try to not put these guys in harms way.
Meanwhile, Deliveroo said customers would have the option to request a no-contact drop off service, “removing the need for direct contact for both parties”.
The delivery firm also said customers can use the app to order kitchen and household products from supermarkets, as more Brits are expected to be quarantined at home in coming weeks.
via Coronavirus: Just Eat and Deliveroo offer contactless delivery – CityAM : CityAM
Deliveroo at least are offering contactless deliveries, where they leave the food at your doorstep, ring the bell and walk away. Please use that option wherever possible.
It’s going to be a rough few months for everyone –a snow day with no thaw in sight. We’re all going to have to muddle through this together, but from a safe distance and with thoroughly washed hands, obviously. Also, don’t buy more than you need, it’s selfish and stupid.
Social Media
We’re back on social media for the time being. We are probably quite well placed to share information across Cardiff’s bicycle-riding community, so if you have anything to offer to help people out, ‘@’ us and we’ll share it.
Good luck everyone.
Wow, that wasn’t really all that brief, was it.
Cardiff By Bike 