Emmanuel Macron spoke to us last night from his palace in Paris to let us know that our behavior has been improving, but not quite enough to be let out permanently to play. Our lockdown continues, but in reality life is getting back to normal. Stores are open now (but not restaurants or Irish pubs) and I can finally get a haircut. It will take some time for most schools to go back and if you like the gym or skiing, you’ll need to have patience.
But what cyclists were waiting for was an enlargement of our ‘radius’, which has been 1 km for the last month (or 3 months total this year, I think). We are now allowed to ride outside for 3 hours at a pop in a 20 km radius. Here’s mine:
I know I’ve written about this before, but it’s been Groundhog Day all year, so you’ll forgive me I’m sure. This time around I’d like to talk about our usual rides. Most of us have set routes that we do over and over again, whether we plan to do so or not. Many of us also do our riding within a relatively small distance from our homes, unless you live in Canada, where you have one road and it’s always out and back.
The 20 km radius from Nimes above is where I do most of my riding, unless it’s more than 3 hours. There is lots of great riding in this area, as you can see from the lack of ‘grey’ on the map. I had a discussion with my friends in Paris last night about their 20 km and they were not jumping for joy. Here it is.
Nearly all grey. They can get to Versailles, to the west, which probably sounds nice to people who don’t ride out of Paris, but it’s either urban or suburban the whole way out to that point. It’s one reason I nearly never see a ride of less than 100 km from these friends.
How about, dear reader? What’s your ‘bubble’? Here’s the site I used to determine mine. Is much of your pedaling within 20 km / 12 miles?
The Vicious Cycle 
20km gives me a massive amount of options too. I’m lucky that I live in a rural area. We’re still at Level 5 restrictions that are about to be lifted next week. We’re limited to 5km from home but to be honest I don’t see hardly anyone sticking to that this time around. I haven’t heard of any enforcement of it either.
This is a site by an Irish guy from Lockdown V1 that’s global, just move your pin or let it find your location: https://2kmfromhome.com/
5km sounds like what you had during the first lockdown. Is that right?
It was 2km at first, then 5km as restrictions eased and finally 20km for a while before they lifted the restrictions completely.
Fortunately it is!
In my case, pretty much every single 3 hour ride I do fits in the 20km bubble – still would be nice to do one ride on the weekend a bit longer, but during Nov/Dec, not such a big deal to miss that. I’m hoping Dec 15th the distance/time limits will be lifted if things keep going in the right direction.
You are in an ideal place. I just did your radius and there’s tons in most directions. Was surprised that you are nearly 20km from Nice as the crow flies, too. I guess it’s not that close by bike!
Fortunately, Its always been unlimited here! Not that it would have mattered as I would have probably broken the rules anyways.
Still looks like you have plenty of roads within 20km…you rebel you!
I prefer to be referred to as an Anarchist!!!! LOL!
As for us, half of the circle is in the sea! Maybe we could ask for an extension up North to make up for it! Fortunately we have some rock climbing nearby.
At least St. Mathieu is in reach!
20km covers most of my normal rides with a bit to spare.
We really don’t need much to please us.
Just light winds and no frosts!