Despite disease outbreaks still spiralling, the first glimmer of reasonable thought pervading foot and mouth no go restrictions has surfaced.

The MAFF have realised that with cars, trucks, tractors etc. wandering freely about on the roads, bikes aren’t going to cause a significant extra risk of disease spreading. The official wording follows;

There is no reason to restrict the movement of cyclists on road.

Countryside users should not enter premises or areas formally restricted by MAFF or local authorities, including closed sections of the rights of way network.

All offroad events are cancelled or postponed until further notice. Avoid all areas where there are or may be livestock, including car parks, headquarters, venues and other areas that are offroad or on agricultural land.

Do not enter such areas even on a casual basis i.e. for breaks or picnics (no mention of suspension of public indecency laws for peeing in the road though).

Cyclists who have contact with livestock should stick to the MAFF guidelines.

There’s no off road relaxation yet although we have ehard that the Forestry Commission and other landowners are considering relaxing restriction in some livestock free areas.

Obviously more when we get it, in the meantime, keep spinning those slicks.

Thanks to the CTC for this update.