Solo Riding during the Pandemic

cycling solo during the pandemic - autumn roses in North Adelaide

Solo riding during the Pandemic is good for your mental and physical health, but there are a few things to think of when you are planning your ride.

As I write this today in Adelaide, South Australia, we are still allowed, if not encouraged, to exercise solo or with the people you live with. This week we have been blessed with gorgeous autumn weather.

Today I took a 50 kilometre solo ride around my usual stomping ground and it provided some much needed time for reflection, away from the constant barrage of media.

Coffee shops

Coffee shops in Adelaide are still allowed to operate on a take-away only basis. Although on the one hand I do believe there is less risk of transmitting COVID-19 if you just give the coffee shops a miss, I am torn between that concept and wanting to support the few places that I love and which have always been bicycle-friendly.

At Cibo Prospect, they have really made an excellent effort to adapt to the new situation. You go in one door to place your order, exit via another door and then receive your order at the pick-up window.

Pick=up window at Cibo Prospect

At another favourite of mine, Fix Specialty Coffee in College Park, the serving area is well ventilated and there is plenty of space for customers to stand while waiting for their order.

Cycling solo during the pandemic - Fix Speciatly Coffee is open for takeaway
Fix Specialty Coffee

They often have a slogan for the day. Today’s was “Don’t be Depresso, we’ve got your Espresso”.

Public Toilets

Another vulnerability during a longer ride, especially if you are female, is going to a public toilet. Although you can wash your hands, who’s to say you might not receive or transmit the virus via the door handle afterwards? I’m carrying sanitising wipes with me.

Off-Peak

I am fortunate that I am able to get my exercise during the weekdays. Starting last weekend coffee shops were required to do take-away only or close. While out on a ride last Saturday, I was horrified to see how closely people were packed into a bakery that I had planned to visit.

Hopefully everybody is more thoughtful now about keeping their distance. However, if you can only exercise in the weekend, I would advise you to go as early in the day as possible, or be prepared to cycle away if your planned stop is too busy.

Bike paths

Once again, going off peak today on a Friday, all the bike paths and bike ways I visited were quite empty. If the weather is nice, this could be different on the weekend. I avoided the Torrens Linear Bike Path, which is often busy.

Cycling solo during the pandemic - Galway Avenue is empty of cyclists
Galway Avenue on the City-Levels Bikeway
Cycling solo during the pandemic - the Braund Bikeway is empty
Braund Bikeway in Prospect
Cycling solo during the pandemic - nobody on the shared path bridge over the Torrens River
Bridge over the Torrens River near North Adelaide
Summary

These are my thoughts today about solo riding during the pandemic.

  • Cycling is good for your mental and physical health, even if you have to do it solo.
  • Think carefully about stopping points, if any, and be prepared to cycle away if it doesn’t seem safe.
  • Choose routes that are not too busy, and change your plan if it’s too crowded.

Who knows, with everything evolving so quickly I might think differently tomorrow…

Note: The coffee shops I have mentioned have not offered me any incentives. I’m just grateful for them and want them to stay afloat through all of this.

Top photo is of autumn roses in North Adelaide

29 thoughts on “Solo Riding during the Pandemic”

  1. Another very well written article Helen. Yes the bike paths are getting much busier than they ever were on week days. I’m trying to keep off the roads just to be a bit safer. Not too sure about coffee ☕ shops and bakerys, but like you said don’t go there if they look crowded. I went to a bakery at Stirling and they were only letting in about 3 or 4 people. Stay safe and keep healthy.
    From Peter 🚵

  2. I’ve been cycling every day. The southern side of Linear Park was very quiet today. The coastal ride down to Glenelg had riders and walkers but as it’s spacious there was plenty of passing room. Just to add everybody was cheerful and with a friendly wave. Came home uplifted. Back on the bike again tomorrow. Kepp safe and well everyone.

    1. Thanks for the info Des. Glad to hear that you are getting out riding – so excellent for our well-being, and a great way to socially isolate 🙂

    2. Hey Des, that’s great news. That bike track does provide for some great views along the way with plenty of spots to stop for a quick snack too. I think the council has done a great job with the one-stop cycle points too.

  3. I did 100kms solo today, also mostly on bike paths (I went south rather than north). The coffee shops that I visited in Noarlunga and Bowden were managing the distancing, and the banh mi takeaway at Grange was only allowing one person at a time in the shop. Everyone had a smile on their face, and was trying really hard to keep on keeping on. I came home feeling a lot better than I did yesterday, so I’d encourage solo rides (and just have fun, don’t get too hard on yourself).

  4. Mud, Sweat & Gears club are having a small group, distancing, bring your own coffee tomorrow in Belair Nat Pk. See how it goes.

  7. Thanks for the post Helen. Yes, cycling is still great for our mental and physical health. Though I prefer group rides, solo it is at the moment. Coffee is also important! Just keep the social distancing going…
    P.S. When in Adelaide we stay at the Adelaide Caravan Park and Fix is our go to cafe!

    1. Thamks Owen. It will be wonderful when we can return to riding in groups. Fix do such a great job – such great food and coffee, and they always make cyclists welcome 😎

  8. Hi Helen, it is good that you were able to ride in this crucial times. The autumn roses brings a much needed positive vibes. I also appreciate the sunflower vase at the cafe pick-up point. Interesting to see that Adelaide has overhead cables. In India, most cables are shifted underground. Thank you for sharing your ride experience, stay at home as much as possible. Take care.

  9. I’m out walking the dog’s a couple of miles every day. Later on, it’s my time on the bike. Bike paths are nice but I’m finding that the city streets are less crowded than the bikeways. Of course I always have my camera for videos.

    1. Excellent that you’re able to get out John. Sounds like you’re very adaptable which is good. As you say, if the bike paths are crowded, find some quiet streets 😎

  12. Great post and good advice. My solo walks/runs bring me a lot of joy and anxiety-reduction. I share your conflicted view on coffee shops. It’s really tough sometimes juggling the risks/benefits. Take care and enjoy those rides!

  13. Gday Helen,
    Superb blogs love em.

    Re the Mary to the Bay Rail Trail at Hervey Bay Qld… you were on a good voyage of discovery there. I think (note THINK) when you rode that the next section of the Trail back towards Maryborough was in fact open. You just needed to be Merlin to discover where!!! That next short piece is not completed because a main road crossing is yet to be sorted. We ride the main road corridor in the grass up against the fence line towards Maryborough to Piggford Lane… make a dash across the main road when traffic is clear, then ride up Piggford Lane to pick up the next section of the Trail. When I have the grandkids with me I ferry them by car. This next section is hard packed gravel (clay really) very easy riding. You finally cross the Dundowran road into the old Walligan Railway yards with its mango tree and new picnic shed. 500 metres further on the Trail ends at Stockyard Creek where the steam trains used to take on water over 50 years ago. Stroll a couple of hundred metres through the scrub and there is a delightful billabong with water lilies and all. I enjoyed a blissful rest break there yesterday. All the best and safe riding.

    1. Thanks for the information Dave. As you say, I think I did miss a piece of track there, but unfortunately I didn’t have the benefit of local assistance. Hopefully the crossing of the main road corridor will be sorted by the next time I ride there and more information will be available at the tourist office 🙂

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