The UK had some big news lately, as some restrictions on exercising during lockdown have been relaxed*! This is big news if you’ve taken up cycling during lockdown, as instead of only being permitted one hour of exercise per day, we can now go out for as much exercise as we like, provided we maintain social distancing guidelines and stay two metres apart from other people. At The Insurance Emporium, we want everyone to be able to enjoy their passions while staying safe in uncertain times. That’s why we’ve put together some tips on making the most of your cycling hobby during lockdown!
Stay safe while cycling
Now more than ever, it’s important to remain safe while you’re out on the bike. Nobody should be putting themselves at unnecessary risk, as this could put an unnecessary strain on vital NHS services. Always wear a helmet and safety equipment to help reduce the risk of injury, and make sure your bike is in good condition if you’re going on longer rides. Speaking of longer rides…
Far from home
Now that you can exercise for more than an hour a day, you might want to go out for longer bike rides! Here are some tips to help you stay safe while you’re out cycling:
Prepare for the worst
While you’re out cycling you’ll want to prepare for the worst, especially if you’re miles from home! Make sure you take a pump, a spare inner tube and a puncture repair kit in case anything happens to your bike while you’re out cycling.
Take food and drink
The last thing you want while on a long cycle is to be dehydrated! Due to the lockdown, many shops, cafes and restaurants will be closed, so you might not be able to rely on picking up water and food on the way. Make sure you pack enough food and drink for the journey!
Charge your mobile
In case of emergency, it’s always handy to have a mobile phone with you. Make sure it’s charged up before you go, and to be extra safe you might want to carry a power bank. If your bike ride goes awry, it’s useful to be able to call for help!
Don’t go it alone
If you can cycle with somebody else in your household or stay a safe distance away from your cycling partner, taking somebody else along for the ride can increase your safety and be a lot of fun! Riding with a friend means the two of you can look out for each other.
Take shorter rides
If you don’t feel up to going for a long-distance cycle, you could go for several shorter bike rides in one day. Staying closer to home might be safer if you’re on your own. You can vary the routes to make the rides more interesting. It’s also great thinking time!
High intensity interval training
If you’re wanting a short but intense workout closer to home, you could try high intensity interval training. HIIT workouts are a great way to burn fat, boost your aerobic and anaerobic fitness, and increase your power output. You could get a great workout in a fraction of the time!
Get the family involved
If you’ve got younger children, or family who don’t cycle often, then throwing them in at the deep end with a long-distance bike ride might not be the best idea! If you’re trying to introduce friends and family to the world of cycling, keep it short and sweet.
Morning and evening commute
If you’re working from home, it can be difficult to motivate yourself in the morning, especially if your bed is a few feet away from your work area! Cycling can help you combat this fatigue, giving you the chance to simulate a morning or evening commute. A short cycle before and after work could help you wake up in the morning and unwind after a hard day’s work.
Keep your distance
Again, just because you might be allowed out for more exercise doesn’t mean you can ignore social distancing rules. At The Insurance Emporium, we’d always encourage you to enjoy your adventures, as long as you’re following guidelines set out by the government!
We hope you can use this guide to continue enjoying your passions during the lockdown! If you’re thinking about taking up cycling now you can get outside more, you might want to think about taking out insurance for your bike. At The Insurance Emporium, you can get up to 25% discount^ on your new Bicycle Insurance policy. Head to our product pages to find out more! If you have questions about how Coronavirus might affect an existing policy, you can visit our COVID-19 hub page or call our Customer Contact team on 03300 244 005.
* This information is correct for England as of 10/06/2020 and can be subject to change. Please be aware social distancing measures and allowed exercise may vary between countries within the United Kingdom. Please follow official guidelines set out by your local authority.
^ The 25% discount is made up of 15% Introductory Discount plus 5% Age Related Discount and Security Discount (if appropriate). The Introductory Discount is available for the first 12 premium payments on lunar and calendar monthly policies, or one premium payment on annual policies.
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