Polstead Heath #RideSolo

One week ago today, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave us UK citizens a clear instruction: 'You must stay at home' a statement which he reasonably went on to qualify with the following very limited exceptions:
- Shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible
- One form of exercise a day - for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household;
- Any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person; and
- Travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.


Many people have asked for clarification on the second point, as the government hasn't made clear how long we should exercise for. Appearing on the BBC's Andrew Marr show Mr Gove said: “Obviously it depends on each individual’s fitness, but I would have thought that for most a walk of up to an hour, or a run of 30 minutes, or a cycle ride between that, depending on their level of fitness, is appropriate.” That seems to me to be a suggestion and not a limit, so remains unclear.

I regard my fitness to be pretty good, well above average I would say, so does that mean Michael Gove is suggesting I can cycle for longer or as I'm fit, I should cycle for less? Typically, the only rides I do for less than an hour are those, during the working week where I simply don't have the time for more. Weekend rides are usually in excess of 2 hours and can extend to as much as 4.

I've decided that I'm going to do what I think is reasonable, which means keeping the rides as local as possible, under 2 hours and away from towns and villages as much as I can.

This one turned out to be longer than planned, 1:44 due to a country road being closed, it was grey, showery and I hardly saw a soul for the whole route. About as socially distant as its possible to be.

13th day away from the office #covid19