Rural groups say ‘Get orf our land’ for your exercise; Monster Zwift rides keeping Brailsford fit in lockdown; Bikes “the new toilet paper”; UCI signs up to save planet; Govt accused of “gaslighting” over car-free street claims; + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
The craziest prototype ever?
Would the 1989 Tour result have been different if Laurent Fignon could have used this prototype?
Le résultat du Tour 1989 aurait-il été différent si Laurent Fignon avait pu utiliser ce prototype ?
📷 MC 1987#TDF1989 #LaurentFignon pic.twitter.com/TFKHjSOp2i
— Miroir du Cyclisme (@Miroir2Cyclisme) April 22, 2020
In answer to the question of whether Fignon would have fared better in that infamous closing time trial at the 1989 Tour on this bike… well it looks like it’s only got one gear, so almost certainly no.
It's Earth Day
Today marks 50 years since the first Earth Day #walking and #cycling for essential journeys is a way for us to protect our planet, now and beyond the Covid-19 crisis, by reducing carbon emissions. #EarthDay2020 pic.twitter.com/nBMgTfjXPT
— Sustrans (@sustrans) April 22, 2020
Sustrans have marked Earth Day’s 50th anniversary with the fact that cycling takes over a quater of a million cars off the road each day in 12 of the UK’s major cities.
Elite launch biodegradable water bottle
Elite say the new Jet bottle is manufactured with a plastic material that is treated with a special additive, making it possible to lower the time it takes for the bottle to decompose. A standard plastic product could take between 100-1000 years to decompose, whereas the Jet bottle can degrade in three months to five years, so they claim.
All sizes are the standard 74mm diameter to fit any bottle cage, and it’s available in four colours – you can get one here.
Edinburgh and Glasgow councils in talks with Sustrans for temporary cycle lanes and wider pavements during pandemic
As we’ve already covered, numerous world cities are already implementing ‘pop-up’ cycling infrastructure for cycling while the roads have less motor traffic, and now Glasgow and Edinburgh could be about to give over more space for cycles. The plans are being discussed Scottish Government’s Transport Scotland agency and Sustrans, reports The Scotsman, as traffic has fell by 75% due to the lockdown.
This ‘redrawing’ is actually planned for when the restrictions are eased, as social distancing is likely to continue for some time. In many cities, walkers are finding that they are forced to step into the road to avoid each other and more people are cycling to get their daily exercise. Edinburgh City Council leader Adam McVey told The Scotsman: “We are actively considering ways to help people to safely walk and cycle, both in the present circumstances, and as things hopefully change in the coming months.
“Any new measures will be announced as early as possible. In the meantime, we are aware there are a number of pinch points across the city, and would ask everyone to show understanding and awareness of each other.”
Our quote in the Scotsman:
“We’ve seen more people out riding their bikes, enjoying quieter streets & cleaner air.
As restrictions ease, it’s vital we help people maintain their newly-formed healthy habits. That needs extra space on roads for cycling”https://t.co/cDHOFfJNMi
— Cycling UK Scotland (@CyclingUKScot) April 21, 2020
Cycling UK praised the plans, and say they hope that other local authorities will follow suit: “As restrictions ease, it’s vital we help people to maintain their newly-formed healthy habits, and continue to experience the many benefits from being more active”, said Cycling UK’s campaigns and policy manager for Scotland Jim Densham.
Are bikes the new toilet paper? The manager of Giant in Sydney says so
‘Bicycles are the new toilet paper’: bike sales boom as coronavirus lockdown residents crave exercise https://t.co/q5EBYOK9z3
— The Guardian (@guardian) April 22, 2020
It appears the notion of N+1 is finally reaching the masses, as The Guardian report that in Australia retailers are struggling to keep up with demand… in fact Grant Kaplan, manager of the Giant store in Sydney’s central business district, has described bikes as “the new toilet paper” as Australians rush to get a new steed so they can keep fit during the lockdown:
“We can’t keep up with sales. Literally the phone is ringing nonstop”, says Kaplan.
One employee says Saturday takings have gone up from $10,000 to $40,000 in the last two weekends, and if anything the shop is understaffed.
Similar reports have been made from numerous bike shops in the UK, and there has also been a huge boom in sales of turbo trainers. All this talk of bikes and toilets kind of remind us of this classic from the Viz archive, which the magazine claim may just come in handy during a loo roll shortage…
Going out for a ride? Do as Kevin Keegan doesn't, warns the BBC
If you choose to go cycling for your daily exercise today, try not to emulate Kevin Keegan in this painful clip from ‘Superstars’ back in 1976. pic.twitter.com/zizBOspaCA
— BBC Archive (@BBCArchive) April 22, 2020
Spotting this classic Superstars clips on Twitter has sparked a huge reminiscing session on the road.cc Skype convo amongst my ‘wiser’ colleagues… do you remember watching at the time?
It’s also worth noting that it’s probably not a good idea to emulate Mr Keegan if you find yourself as manager of the England national football team, or if you’re asked to calmly state your opinion on comments made by a rival manager in the closing stages of a Premier League season…
Evans reopen nine stores "to support key workers"
Evans has announced it will reopen nine further stores, which means 18 are fully open and a further four in Maidenhead, Brighton, Cardiff and Milton Keynes are doing appointments for collections.
Evans say they have provided hundreds of free bike MOTs to key workers and will now be able to offer the service across more of their stores:
“As a transport provider, bicycle shops are listed as essential retailers on the Government’s official guidance. Strict safety measures have been introduced to the re-opened stores, including limiting how many customers can enter at any given time, marking out ‘2 metre zones’ throughout the shop floor and eradicating touchpoints within the payment process”, say Evans.
The Evans Cycles stores currently open are:
Kingston
Cheltenham
Gatwick
Reading
Guildford
Sheffield
Clapham
Notting Hill
Kings Cross
Edinburgh
Nottingham
Sutton Coldfield
Chester
Deansgate
Cambridge
Plymouth
Havant
Bristol
People buying bikes be like...
Brailsford calls for modernisation of cycling calendar, but admits if one event could happen it should the Tour de France
Speaking to BBC Radio 4, the Team Ineos manager said that for cycling to move forward it must modernise and not be so reliant on one race, something that the coronavirus pandemic has brutally exposed:
“Everyone would see the benefits of having a more robust structure”, said Brailsford.
“It would allow people to plan medium-to-long term, rather than planning short-term and, just for some, survival on a short-term basis.
“That would be a very big game changer. Modernising the business model going forward would be wise for everybody.”
Brailsford also told Sporza that he would like to see solidarity between teams and mutual support, and says that if the whole 2020 season is cancelled then “everyone would be under pressure.”
Russian track cycling champ Alexandra Goncharova banned for four years
The Russian Anti-Doping Agency’s press service says that Goncharova – who was also the Russian Road Race champion in 2019 – will have her suspension applied retrospectively as of 9th September 2019 for violating anti-doping rules.
Schoolboy cycling ten miles a day inspired by Captain Tom Moore
99-year-old Captain Moore has raised over £28 million for NHS Charities Together, and inspired by the feat 5-year-old Rudy Price from Solihull is cycling ten miles a day to raise more funds for the NHS. He’s raised over £2,000 in less than a week, you can donate to the cause here.
"Bikes the new toilet paper" UK: online retailer puts prices back to RRP to ease sales while Evans deliveries taking up to 18 days
There seems to be a surge in demand for bikes across the globe, as numerous UK retailers we’ve been in touch with are also struggling to keep up with orders.
One anonymous online retailer tells us they’ve taken the unprecedented step of reversing discounts on bikes and reverting back to recommended retail price in an effort to slow sales. Another bike brand says they are “flat out” trying to keep up with demand and they’ve seen a huge increase in sales for all genres of bike, while another says they are seeing ‘Black Friday levels’ of sales.
ℹ️| Please see an update from us below if you’ve placed an order or are looking to.
➡️You can find more information at https://t.co/z7DzrkRIMP pic.twitter.com/TVAIluaklr
— Evans Cycles (@EvansCycles) April 22, 2020
Meanwhile, as well as reopening nine stores Evans Cycles have announced via social media that it will now take up to 18 days for a bike to be delivered. In the replies, a customer has claimed that Evans have yet to put this information on their checkout page – a full story will follow on this later today.
Zwift announces 'Tour For All', their biggest charity event yet, to support Médecins Sans Frontières in pandemic response
Zwift have announced a four-week long series to raise funds for Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and their COVID-19 Crisis Fund.
Cyclists, runners and triathletes are all invited to join in the fun from the 4th to 30th May, and Zwift themselves will also be making a $125,000 donation to MSF. They say that once 250,000 people from Zwift’s global community have completed at least one Tour For All event, they will donate another $125,000.
Zwift CEO Eric Min said: “Over recent months, the world has been turned upside down and I think we are all adjusting to a new normal.
“We’re in a unique position to bring together a global community and unite behind one cause, raising money for those who are helping to keep us safe. MSF is responding to the COVID-19 emergency in multiple ways – caring for patients, offering health education and mental health support, and providing training for vital infection control measures in health facilities around the world. I invite our global community to join us in supporting these lifesaving efforts. Of course, let’s have some fun along the way!”
More info on joining the rides here.
Meanwhile, in Paris: 650km of cycle network, introduced from May 11th
It’s depressing living in a country that doesn’t get this https://t.co/qFidIci7nE
— citymobility (@citycyclists) April 22, 2020
If Councillor Jon Burke’s accusations are correct, we’ve a way to go in England then…
UCI signs UN's Sports for Climate Action Framework for Earth Day
As part of its ongoing efforts “to promote cycling as one of the world’s most environmentally friendly sports”, the UCI have signed the Sports for Climate Action Framework which brings together more than 100 international federations from various sports to tackle climate change.
In doing so, the UCI say they have committed to “reducing overall climate impact, educating for climate action, promoting sustainable and responsible consumption and advocating for climate action through communication.”
The ever-busy Chis Boardman, who is also a UCI Advocacy & Mass Participation Commission member on top of his numerous other responsibilities. commented: “I applaud the UCI for signing the UN Sport for Climate Action Framework as part of their commitment to greening the sport we love. Their recognition that cycling and active travel is part of the solution to the climate crisis – and their clear commitment to advocate for it – is very encouraging and something I am working hard to deliver in Greater Manchester. I look forward to working with the UCI to make their sustainability programme a success for the sport and for society.”
Shower's Pass inviting us to 'Explore the Indoors'
The cycling apparel brand want your 30 second videos showing creative use of their products indoors, such as the examples in the video above such as ‘cycling to work’ and using gloves to stick icing on cakes.
The comp runs until 1st May and the winner gets a Shower’s Pass shopping spree – more details on how to enter here.
Hackney Councillor says government are "gaslighting us" by claiming to have made it easier to introduce car-free streets
Untrue. The Government, @grantshapps, and @transportgovuk want the public to think that road closures aren’t happening because of councils. We have no more powers to deliver safer, healthier streets than we did last week, and they were precious few. https://t.co/D22TLGBKK5
— Cllr Jon Burke (@jonburkeUK) April 22, 2020
Councillor Jon Burke referred to a BBC article with the headline “Coronavirus: Banning cars made easier to aid social distancing”… and according to Councillor Burke, something clearly doesn’t add up.
He says that the Department for Transport’s claims that councils can cut ‘red tape’ governing temporary road closures – allowing them to implement car-free streets in a matter of days rather than months or years – are essentially untrue. Councillor Burke continued in his thread:
“I’m both embarrassed and apologetic that I’ve had Hackney Council officers waste precious time exploring this when the DfT is clearly gaslighting us. We live in a completely car-dominated society and are led by a Government that wants to keep it that way. Absolutely infuriating.
“This in no way diminishes Hackney Council’s desire to humanise our streets and reallocate road space for the benefit of all, but it does mean the Gov’t won’t let us implement temporary filters to improve road safety & social distancing during a public health and speeding crisis.”
Dave Brailsford keeping super fit in lockdown
Anyone who follows Brailsford on Strava will be aware that pre-lockdown he often held his own with the Ineos riders on training camps, and his latest Zwift workout is mighty impressive stuff for a 56-year-old.
He’s known to swear by a low carb diet regime and low cadence riding for strength-building – as he revealed in a detailed comment on Strava a while ago – and appears to have built up impressive fitness again after recovering from an operation to treat prostate cancer last summer.
On the ride above, Brailsford held a weighted average power of 267 watts for just over an hour with a virtual speed of 40.5km/h… could you keep up?
'Get orf our land' - rural groups urge government to tell people to stay away
Perhaps unwittingly channelling the Viz comic character Farmer Palmer – catchphrase ‘Get orf moi land’ – a coalition of countryside campaign groups are urging the government not to allow anyone who doesn’t live there to travel to rural areas for their exercise.
While not aimed directly at cyclists – which is nice, given that people in some villages around the country have been erecting unauthorised signs telling people on bikes to stay away – the National Rural Crime Network says it has received “hundreds of concerned messages a day” from rural residents about people travelling to the country to undertake their permitted exercise during the lockdown.
In the letter to Justice Secretary Robert Buckland, the National Rural Crime Network, the Countryside Alliance, the National Farmers’ Union, and the Country Land and Business Association, say that current guidance allowing people to drive to a place of exercise will “encourage even more people to carry out unnecessarily long journeys”.
Last week, the Crown Prosecution Service outlined what was considered a “reasonable excuse” to leave the home, including, in terms of outdoor exercise, “driving to countryside and walking (where far more time is spent walking than driving).”
You can read the letter in full here.
22 April 2020, 08:49
Sports Direct-owned bike retailer accused of not being totally honest about delivery delays
As bike sales surge Evans slammed for not telling customers about delays on ‘in stock’ bikes before they buy
Retailer says it can take up to 18 working days to deliver bikes ordered online - but customers say they weren't warned at checkout or at any point before
22 April 2020, 08:49
Police in Leeds are appealing for witnesses
Cyclist injured by wire stretched across West Yorkshire trail
Police appeal for information after incident near Wetherby on Monday
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Latest Comments
Operation "Sorry Not Attempting Prosecution"? Certainly some forces see it as a success!
I have some Assos gear and generally like it but at 295 GBP, trouser legs that slip upwards while riding are most definitely unacceptable. That's a kill right there in my book. Hell, I own several bib shorts that cost me 1/4 th of that amount and while they are not so supremely comfy as Assos where the pad is concerned, no slippage.
@mdavidford "We should all love one another and I know there are people who do not love their fellow man and I HATE people like that!" Tom Lehrer. Thing is Tom was being satirical...
Bristol City Council is hell bent on turning the former railway line into a so-called relief road for the A4. Van dweller pitches are simply a ruse to bide it time whilst it plots its next manoeuvrers.
@BaselGooner In the early '90s a friend of mine was working in Geneva, his girlfriend had her (unlocked) bike stolen one night and two days later it reappeared in the same rack outside her flat cleaned, oiled and with flowers and chocolates tied to the rear rack and a note saying, "I took your bike because I was drunk and had no money for taxi or bus. I thought it was funny but I was wrong. Sincerest apologies." I've always remembered that and thought what a great place Switzerland must be for cycle ownership if that's representative, sorry to hear it might not be.
Said motorists remain mentally ill when they aren't behind the wheel.
... Are you sure? Could be Scorpion de Rooftrouser minus his red beard?
...is undoubtably the funniest thing I've read all month - well done!
Well I wouldn’t leave a bike unlocked! Basel and Geneva have issues with cross-border thieves from France in particular but again it’s about better than UK I think.
@BaselGooner have things changed then? Visiting a friend in Zurich 15-20 years ago, I was shocked to see a Storck roadbike left unlocked. Completely unshocked about the theft in Newcastle though, friends had their front door kicked in, the banister their bikes were locked to ripped off the wall and the bikes gone before they could get down the stairs.
59 thoughts on “Rural groups say ‘Get orf our land’ for your exercise; Monster Zwift rides keeping Brailsford fit in lockdown; Bikes “the new toilet paper”; UCI signs up to save planet; Govt accused of “gaslighting” over car-free street claims; + more on the live blog”
Wow, amazing bike. Wasn’t
Wow, amazing bike. Wasn’t Gitanes a cigarette brand? How things change!
Gitanes yes, but Gitane was
Gitanes yes, but Gitane was one of the most successful French bike brands up until about 2000 I think.
Aaah, whoops, I’ll get me
Aaah, whoops, I’ll get me coat..
Thought the wheels said
Thought the wheels said “Wobbler” for a second
That seat stay looks crazily thin given its almost vetrical, surely the riders weight would be transferred down it? And I know its just that the seat tube (if you can call it that) is painted black and blending into the trowsers but it looks like the cranks are floating in mid-air.
That’s what I thought at
That’s what I thought at first, was trying to work out how the stays coped with the turning moment due to the weight of the rider.
With that and getting muddled up between a bike manufacturer and a cigarette brand, I’m not feeling too bright…
Whoever liked this comment –
Whoever it was that liked this comment – I’m gonna get you after school!!
CygnusX1 wrote:
Looks like a steel frame, ‘pencil stays’ were common, compare with the bikes in the Kevin Keegan clip.
Wobbler – that’s the word me
Wobbler – that’s the word me and Mrs. Dolly use to describe the “new” cyclists out on their 25 year old bikes in our local area. Hopefully they’ll keep at it. LBS working 12 hour days and looking frazzled..
Are bikes the new toilet
Are bikes the new toilet paper? Only on World Naked Bike Ride Day, and then inadvertently.
Note on the Elite bottle:
Note on the Elite bottle: Standard plastic does not decompose, just breakdown into smaller plastic – it is still plastic
The bottle is made from a corn based plastic which apparently can “decompose into carbon dioxide and water in a “controlled composting environment” in fewer than 90 days.”
Hey Jack – could you feature
Hey Jack – could you feature a recent Bournemouth Echo story and its comments section? speeding New Forest motorists slammed?
Cycling is getting somehow dragged into this and I’m doing my best to push back the idiot tendency, with some comments I’m quite proud of, but could use some help.
Yes, obviously the roads should be widened and fenced and to keep the animals from roaming around, clearly the main problem is sportives, riding on the pavement and running red lights.
We really have got a problem with those old chestnuts : each person infects n+ 4.25. That and the current “we’re swamped by cyclists and walkers”, which given the air pollution stories we’re now seeing seems like a nice problem to have right now.
Do you meanhttps://www
Do you mean
https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/18390145.lockdown-not-excuse-drive-whatever-speed-like-new-forest/
Yes.
Yes.
Hi David, what’s the
Hi David, what’s the relationship between the National Park Authority and the Verderers?
I can see the Vs being anti-cyclist (cyclists being ‘visitors’), but the NFNPA really should be working to ensure sustainable tourism, including cycling.
Points West (local BBC news
Points West (local BBC news for the Bristol area) covered the Pill cycling “controversy” (see previous road.cc) last night.
I was particularly impressed by (1) the bloke who’d decided to park an SUV in such a way as to half-heartedly block the cycle path entrance (thus creating a pinch point there even narrower than what is always there) and (2) the “protesters” who wanted to stand so close to the pinch point in question so they could pull disapproving faces that they didn’t need feel the need to follow the physically distance guidelines.
And my favourite – broad Somerset accent, “There ain’t no virus in the village!”.
brooksby wrote:
But if you look carefully you might find an idiot….
Captain Badger wrote:
Maybe he’s on to something – if one of them has natural immunity, chances are they all carry the same gene.
Keeping it in the family, as
Keeping it in the family, as ’twere…
Don’t you miss the days when
Don’t you miss the days when villages were content to have just one idiot? Now they’re everywhere…
Is standing dissaprovingly
Is standing dissaprovingly part of a necessary journey, or some part of exercise?
A lot of the bikes had the
A lot of the bikes had the air of commuters, I thought.
What the *&^% were the
What the *&^% were the protestors doing standing there ? Are they unaware of the guidelines. What was their ‘reasonable excuse’ ?
Did no one ask them if they left the village to go shopping in the a nearby town/city ?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000hl9g/points-west-evening-news-21042020#t=10m05s
Where in Pill was this,
Where in Pill was this, exactly? Wasn’t near Friendly Row, was it?
No, not Friendly Row (or
No, not Friendly Row (or should that be “Not Friendly Row”?)
They were all standing here
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.4835117,-2.6909325,18z
or by the garages on Streetview
https://goo.gl/maps/8U9x5sUbJkyPuij3A
The cycle path toward the M5 motorway bridge and on to Portishead goes to the right, past the gate at the right of the garages.
Message to Pill residents.
Message to Pill residents.
Stay at home, avoid uneccessary contact with people out exercising.
How hard can it be to understand the very simple advice being given by the government?
Pill may well be one of those
Pill may well be one of those sandwich villages; in bread.
A typical BBC fair and
A typical BBC fair and balanced report, giving a equal say to people who are right and people who’re ignorant and angry. Some people really need to be anxious and furious at someone or something. Previously they were anxious and furious at the EU for sending over millions of evil foreigners and preventing them from becoming millionaires. And the BBC would let them vent in vox pops without correcting the secondhand lies they spouted. Now they’re stuck at home, with nothing to do but be anxious and furious at whatever passes by. For residents of villages like Pill, which are on the way out of cities, that is currently cyclists.
handlebarcam wrote:
Makes a change from them shouting at clouds.
People are panic buying
People are panic buying bicycles now?
Or just an extra one, just in case?
ktache wrote:
n+1, my friend: n+1
Prices up to RRP to “ease
Prices up to RRP to “ease sales”.
Hmmmm…
And in a few months time
And in a few months time there will be flood of lightly used bicycles available to test our n+1 resolve…
I’m saving the pennies, I’m
I’m saving the pennies, I’m saving the pennies 🙂
I’ve bought three pallet
I’ve bought three pallet loads, so that I can sell them off at a handsome profit when supply dries up.
A tissue of lies. I’m going
A tissue of lies. I’m going to tear you off a strip.
This is turning into a race
This is turning into a race to the bottom
I heard sales were on a roll.
I heard sales were on a roll. Something like that.
They are finding it easy to
They are finding it easy to “ply” their trade….
Bicycle sales have always
Bicycle sales have always gone in cycles
It’s a business where it is
It’s a business where it is easy to pedal your wears
I think what the bike shop
I think what the bike shop man means that when he tells prospective customers the lead time for a new bike, many of them are upset and tell him where he can stick the idea.
There was an uplifting and
There was an uplifting and interesting news section on BBC News this morning that included Sir Boardman. A Dutch Uni has modelled that cyclists riding shoulder to shoulder offer minimal risk of spreading the plague than following behind. Hopefully this means that for months to come the Gov policy will allow cyclists to occupy the whole carriage width while excercising?
Sir Chris also chipped in with a very positive and diplomatic response about how good cycling is in the current unpleasantness
I’m tearing up at the memory!
I’m tearing up at the memory!
Superstars – David Vine’s commentary – the summer of ’76 and those tiny shorts we used to wear!!!
Brilliant!
Those shorts would be enough
Those shorts would be enough to make anyone tear up
We were much slimmer in those
We were much slimmer in those days, you could get away with it
Not sure I could…
Not sure I could…
Remeber Joop Zoetemelks
Remeber Joop Zoetemelks performances, particularly only doing 1 bar dip in the gym! My father exclaimed at the time “I thought cyclists were meant to be fit!”. It was not the sports finest moment.
As Keegan, it looked like something was loose on the front, or was his first time cycling in 20 years.
Brian Jacks!
Brian Jacks!
The old slippy shoes!
The old slippy shoes!
Looks like Fignon was toying
Looks like Fignon was toying with going for the Hour Record, probably as revenge on Moser for that incredibly dubious 1984 Giro victory!
The saddle with the aero fairing (Selle Italia?) did become a production item; I definitely remember Thierry Marie winning the TDF prologue one year with that type of saddle.
Councillor Jon Burke for PM!
Councillor Jon Burke for PM!
Government of Boris the Liar gaslighting us, while announcing extra spending on roads; I for one am shocked to my very core.
So let me get this straight,
So let me get this straight, please correct me if I’m wrong. The residents are worried that cyclists are spreading the virus, so worried in fact, that they went and tried to stand next to them?
Words fail me……..
Maybe sacrifices have to be
Maybe sacrifices have to be made? For cause and all that?
For the Greater Good
via GIPHY
via GIPHY
If the villagers are all so
If the villagers are all so concerned that cyclists are bringing the virus from outside the village into the village… Why is that villagers just popping to the nearest town or city to do their food shopping, or ordering online so a man with a van comes and delivers it to their door (presumably also coming from outside the village?), is fine…?
Get outta here! You city folk
Get outta here! You city folk with your flaaaashy ways and your…. fffffaaaacts and…. logic!
Essential food for them is ok
Essential food for them is ok, essential exercise for others isn’t.
There’s a lot of hypocrisy going on during the lockdown (I live in a seaside village with a number of holiday homes).
The Countryside Alliance, the
The Countryside Alliance, the National Farmers’ Union, and the Country Land and Business Association; possibly the biggest assembly of NIMBYs in the history of the universe. With parks shut and many people without gardens living in close proximity to other people, they want to stop anyone not local from going out and enjoying a walk in the country.
The effects of this lockdown are beginning to show, with higher rates of domestic abuse and violence and mental problems, and we’ve barely started. I dread to think how bad this is going to get if it lasts into the summer, but it’s going to be bad, very bad.
Did I say NIMBYs? Sorry, I meant selfish, inconsiderate bastards lacking in all empathy.