What better way than to go for a motorcycle ride. The weather is warming up here in New England, so we are riding.Pack a lunch and hit the road.
I want to ask if our fellow riders in California are able to get out and ride with the quarantine on.
I have an International Norton Owners 2020 Rally coming up in July, in the Catskills, The Americade in June, at Lake George NY, Laconia Bike Week, NH. Dirt Daze in August, in NH. I hope they all go on as planned.
Anyone else going to any of these?
My wife is a nurse (retired) and recalls in her training being told that fresh air was a good counter to viruses. She said that old hospitals were built with high ceilings and windows both sides of the ward to let the air through and circulate.
What better excuse to get out on the bike. Also, take a pack lunch. There might not be anyone at the destination greasy-spoon you have chosen to keep your 'social distancing' from, not even staff !
Ian (currently in a city on lock-down)
2014 GT Orange. Just the comfort pack and heated grips - not into gizmos.
"Pity the man who wasn't born in the Highlands and hears the pipes"
That is a good question. It makes perfect sense to isolate yourself on a motorcycle. However, the people making up the regulations say everyone is to stay at home unless they are performing an "essential" service (lots of loopholes there). People riding motorcycles were not on their rule-making radars.
The news media is even complaining that beaches are becoming too crowded, full of people trying to enjoy the occasional sunny weather and get some fresh air and exercise. There was a news report yesterday that rangers in an East Bay county open space park were handing out $400 tickets to anyone that they perceived on the trails as walking closer than 6 feet from each other. So it all appears to be left up to an individual cop as to how they want to enforce the "shelter-in-place" regulations.
A couple of my friends wanted to get together tomorrow and ride to Alice's Restaurant like we always do on Sunday mornings. However, the restaurant is closed to dining and is only open for "take out" meals. (The owner says he is not sure how long he can continue to stay open just selling takeout meals.) If we were to do that, we would have to eat our breakfast while staying 6 feet away from each other and just walking around in their parking lot while somehow eating a breakfast (breakfast burritos, anyone?). To my mind, not much fun on a cloudy 40 degree F morning. The other issue is that the local sheriffs that patrol the area are very protective of the residents that live in the adjacent woods and will hassle motorcyclists who are just riding around the area if they can find a reason to do so. (No one likes the noise while living in the quiet woods.) So I bailed out for our ride tomorrow until things settle down a bit and I can see which way the enforcement winds are blowing. Fortunately, the weather lately has been cold, mostly cloudy and showery many days lately so I have been able to restrain myself from going out for long rides - so far. But then we have only been locked away about a week, unfortunately with no end in sight right now.
Richard - Current bikes: 2016 BMW R1200RS, 2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.
My wife and I got out yesterday for her to do some parking lot drills on her new bike. Other than that I'm not sure how much riding we'll be doing until things settle. I think the real risk right now is making a stupid mistake that requires seeing a doctor. The last place you want to be right now is where other sick people are.
The situation is pretty straight forward.
The virus travels via people.
Any movement of people = continued transmission
Not really. If you're in a car or motorcycle, and don't get out of your car or off your moto until back in the garage, you will not be transmitting virus. The exception would be if you wrecked and needed care.
I think life has changed for all of us. And it'll probably get worse before it gets better.
I had a trip planned to Death Valley at the end of the month. There were some uncertainties that would be present in any year at this time. The biggest being the weather and the potential for snow and ice. Then there was the uncertainty of where to get food and gas. I pretty much had a plan for that.
What actually made me cancel though was none of that. It was the others in my life and the ones I'd encounter on the way there and back. My wife of 45 years has had bad asthma her entire life. She's pretty vulnerable. Her parents are in their 90's. If they get it from me, they will die. And I've read that 86% of those tested that show no visible signs of the virus, have the virus. I could easily be carrying the virus to them and have no idea.
And then there was the interview of the young woman who lived in a small town of about 500. She said she was really worried. People from large cities were driving through, stopping to buy gas and food...and some of them were probably carrying the virus. Their town had a 1-bed hospital and the surrounding towns had nothing. If they get it in their town from one of these travelers, they had no options.
Not trying to get preachy here. There's a verse in the Bible where Jesus was asked by the Pharisees of what the greatest commandment was. He answered by saying that the greatest commandment was to love God with all your heart, soul and mind. And the second, was to love our neighbor as ourselves. The first part is easy for me. The past couple days have really brought new meaning in my life about the second part, to love others as myself.
Yesterday, I had to take my 92 year old FIL to the hospital for a foot infection. Everything they've tried, hasn't worked. I got trained on how to give him antibiotics intravenously. I'll be doing this daily for several weeks. I can't afford to take any chances for his sake.
Chris
Elnathan - 2014 BMW F800GT
IBA# 49894 True Rounder = 0-20's - Rounder -- to -- 100's+ Red Hot Rounder
Yes Chris, trips to DV or anywhere where you might need to interact much w/ anybody or anything is a great idea to bail on now and in the foreseeable future.
As the current administration completely dropped the ball on testing, with consider time of warning, it's too late essentially to rely on testing to contain the virus, though we certainly want to do as much as we can. The key, is NEVER transferring anything from POSSIBLE sources of contamination to possible depots for transmission. One must assume EVERY SURFACE possibly touched by anyone, coughed on by anyone, etc might contain live virus. Fomite transmission appears to be days on certain types of surface, for example packaging/cardboard/etc. This includes any items brought into the house, for example groceries, etc. I took a 40m ride the other day and stopped by a shell station to buy gasoline. The only thing that I touched was touched by my gloved hand, which was carefully removed so I could pull my wallet out of my pocket, slip the card in the slot, pull it out, and put it back in my wallet and pocket. When I returned home my gloves were removed and put on my motorcycle seat and will remain there for probably probably another 2 weeks. I'll still consider them potentially contaminated. If you took your FIL to the hospital I dare say you've been in the heart of concentrated contamination, God help our HC workers who I'm sure are getting to a very similar space that soldiers during D-Day or other combat situations get where you just accept it's largely fate that will determine your future and plunge ahead hoping. Or just stay home, and this is happening now w/ ER docs/nurses.
Yes, it's going to get far worse than it is today and quicky, but there is an end at some point, w/ lots of casualties including a long term hit on most aspects of our consumer economy along the way.
Do everything in your power to reduce transmission to anyone including yourself. We do have a growing battalion of people who will be immune to COVID-19 after they've tested positive and recovered, especially those w/ mild cases. These folks can now interact with sick and well people provided they follow the same STRICT rules of how to reduce transmission, and they can be the people who repopulate the economy as able. In the HC environment they really don't need masks nor eye protection which frees up resources for others who need it.
Richard - Current bikes: 2016 BMW R1200RS, 2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.
When people are playing loose with the rules it actually puts all our civil liberties in jeopardy — it makes government have to look at more and more stringent measures to actually contain people in their own homes.
Something to ponder next time you rationalize a trip out of the house.
When people are playing loose with the rules it actually puts all our civil liberties in jeopardy — it makes government have to look at more and more stringent measures to actually contain people in their own homes.
Something to ponder next time you rationalize a trip out of the house.
I totally agree.
While we're on the road, sure we don't come in contact with anyone. But what about the gas pump? Who touches it after you? Who touched it before you? When you stop at the drive-through, do you think the person on the other side taking your order is thrilled at your presence? When they go home, what about their parents? Grandparents?
Just looking at the way some people are ignoring the social distancing guidelines, makes me think we are in for a long haul. Those kids out on the beaches. Spreading it amongst themselves...and then taking it home when their partying got shut down.
I talked with a friend a couple hours ago. He does custom metal work. A woman wanted some custom sushi dishes and wanted them done by next week. Sure he said. What are they for? Oh...a party we're having at our house.
He refused the order. She flamed him in the email and said she'd ruin his reputation, etc. But really, ...who is at fault? I think it is the woman wanting to continue partying.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a national 14-day lockdown instituted next week.
Chris
Elnathan - 2014 BMW F800GT
IBA# 49894 True Rounder = 0-20's - Rounder -- to -- 100's+ Red Hot Rounder
very disappointingly people seem to be disregarding the advice here in the UK, we live in a seaside town, huge ques of traffic into town yesterday to go to the beach and woods, today is lovely and sunny, best for ages, there will be more idiots with every excuse under the sun to rationalize their travel. I think part of the problem is getting through to younger people who do not watch news or listen to radio, how does the message get through to them to stay at home?
Here in Liguria, where I live, happened just the same a couple of weeks ago: people from Milan (mainly) came here to the seaside, holiday homes, and now we enjoy our share of approx. 120 dead, plus more than 1000 infected, plus other 2 weeks of lock down for almost everyone. Until there will not be a vaccine, wone need to stay at home to reduce possible spreading
very disappointingly people seem to be disregarding the advice here in the UK, we live in a seaside town, huge ques of traffic into town yesterday to go to the beach and woods, today is lovely and sunny, best for ages, there will be more idiots with every excuse under the sun to rationalize their travel. I think part of the problem is getting through to younger people who do not watch news or listen to radio, how does the message get through to them to stay at home?
I'd say it's an interpretation of what has been put out there; which is to stay away from areas of mass congregation. Hence pubs, restaurants and other social premises being closed down.
Being outside is no bad thing getting fresh air, exercise and some Vitamin D. You just need to be careful about the social distancing and public areas where there are frequent touch/contact points.
The UK isn't on a forced lockdown/isolation, and hopefully it won't be. The virus is going to spread between people who have not followed the guidelines of being ultra hygienic and have still been to areas of mass public gatherings. The rest of us who have been sensible should hopefully be ok.
BMW F800ST, 2010, Black, Fuzeblock, Sat Nav, BMW Tank Bag, Givi Touring Screen, Denali Spotlights, Denali CANSmart, Wunderlich Crash Bars, 62K Miles & counting
I have been riding my motorcycles to go grocery shopping this week and if you ask me, the best place to pick up the virus is the grocery store. No one wearing gloves, not keeping a six foot distance from each other, using grocery carts and hand baskets without wiping the handles down first and touching all of the fruit and vegetables before deciding which one to buy. However elsewhere, everyone is keeping their distance and following the rules.
And then there is the fuel pump handle. What I do about that is to grab a paper towel from the nearby dispenser that is typically used to clean your windshield, to grab the pump handle.
In the latest California news: our Governor has called out the National Guard. Not to restore order, but to deliver food to non-profit food pantry organizations that distribute it to "disadvantaged" families and the "unhoused".
Richard - Current bikes: 2016 BMW R1200RS, 2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.
The virus is going to spread between people who have not followed the guidelines of being ultra hygienic and have still been to areas of mass public gatherings. The rest of us who have been sensible should hopefully be ok.
You're right, in theory... here people thought the same. What about working places, public transport, and so on?
I hate to say that, but we'll see the results of late decisions about locking down in a couple of weeks from now, for UK and USA. I also think that Spain, France and Germany decided too late that covid19 wasn't an "italian problem" anymore
A large brewery in Hood River stopped take out food and drink because of the number of people crowding the beach and eating the food there. Washington across the river is in many areas, Trump country and refuse to do anything to protect themselves and the Public. Until it finally hits them personally they will remain willfully ignorant and selfish.
BMW F800S…….
There is no words to adequately describe the batshit crazies....
A large brewery in Hood River stopped take out food and drink because of the number of people crowding the beach and eating the food there. Washington across the river is in many areas are Trump country and refuse to do anything to protect themselves and the Public. Until it finally hits them personally they will remain willfully ignorant and selfish.
Kudos to the business owner who demonstrated social responsibility. That's an outstanding example.
It sounds like we're getting into politics now. I'll move it to the Grown Up section so you can bash Trump and Trump supporters all you want.
Chris
i don't bash #45 supporters and I'd be first in line to defend your right to support him. But for me, any president who feels he has the right to sexually assault the women in our lives, is out in my book.
2013 F800GT Graphite Metallic-Gone to a new home
Not a 2nd childhood, still in the 1st
Well, I just hope all my first-respondre brothers and sisters will be able to get the supplies they need. I remember how crazy it was after 911, that really frightned lots of people, Especially the elderly. The world is changing.I stopped at one of my old station houses and one of the guys showed me some of the latest equipment everyone has: a flak jacket and a combat helmet. These are firefighters in and old Mill city of about 70,000 people. What the hell is next?
I have been riding my motorcycles to go grocery shopping this week and if you ask me, the best place to pick up the virus is the grocery store....And then there is the fuel pump handle. What I do about that is to grab a paper towel from the nearby dispenser that is typically used to clean your windshield, to grab the pump handle.
In the latest California news: our Governor has called out the National Guard. Not to restore order, but to deliver food to non-profit food pantry organizations that distribute it to "disadvantaged" families and the "unhoused".
In Denver areas a couple of chains already allow you to order online for 'pick-up' wherein you place your order and pay online (from the database of foods you previously ordered which makes it fast n easy), and you choose a 1h 'appt' to drive up to the pick-up area and staff bring out your order, pre-paid. Of course there is a chance the order is contaminated so when bringing ANYTHING potentially contaminated into the house that you don't need immediately leave them in a staging area for a few days before handling them.
I'm riding the bike primary to keep the battery charged and enjoy another reminder of the prior life. The traffic is greatly diminished now which makes riding at least statistically safer to do and always my only goal in riding is to not crash, period, end of story and so far so good.
I did make one stop at Ace to pick up one item and they and I were very careful and of keeping physical distancing. I filled up my tank and kept my gloves on to do that so at that point consider the outside of the gloves contaminated. I left my gloves on in the store, removed one to get my wallet and CC out, so my skin never touched anything outside of my home. When returning home into the garage they were removed and left on the seat of the bike where they will sit for days.
When bringing ANYTHING potentially contaminated into the house that you don't need immediately leave them in a staging area for a few days before picking them up. If you need them now you can decide if it's worth decontaminating by bleach, or just leave them out in the sunshine for a few days and infectivity will likely be very low, especially if it's warm as COVID-19 does not like heat and sunlight.
Very sadly that cohort of homeless people represent a big reservoir of infectivity for obvious reasons so I think the Governor's was a good call for this issue, or could be anyway.
In Denver areas a couple of chains already allow you to order online for 'pick-up' wherein you place your order and pay online (from the database of foods you previously ordered which makes it fast n easy), and you choose a 1h 'appt' to drive up to the pick-up area and staff bring out your order, pre-paid. Of course there is a chance the order is contaminated so when bringing ANYTHING potentially contaminated into the house that you don't need immediately leave them in a staging area for a few days before handling them.
I'm riding the bike primary to keep the battery charged and enjoy another reminder of the prior life. The traffic is greatly diminished now which makes riding at least statistically safer to do and always my only goal in riding is to not crash, period, end of story and so far so good.
I did make one stop at Ace to pick up one item and they and I were very careful and of keeping physical distancing. I filled up my tank and kept my gloves on to do that so at that point consider the outside of the gloves contaminated. I left my gloves on in the store, removed one to get my wallet and CC out, so my skin never touched anything outside of my home. When returning home into the garage they were removed and left on the seat of the bike where they will sit for days.
When bringing ANYTHING potentially contaminated into the house that you don't need immediately leave them in a staging area for a few days before picking them up. If you need them now you can decide if it's worth decontaminating by bleach, or just leave them out in the sunshine for a few days and infectivity will likely be very low, especially if it's warm as COVID-19 does not like heat and sunlight.
Very sadly that cohort of homeless people represent a big reservoir of infectivity for obvious reasons so I think the Governor's was a good call for this issue, or could be anyway.
I only do about half of what you do to prevent the spread of the virus. (Right now I am washing my cloth shopping bag with the rest of my laundry.) But still, my observation is that maybe only 10% of the shoppers that I see take any precautions at all. If the virus is going to spread it should do so along the west coast of California in short order. If it doesn't spread here, then something is wrong with the advice of our health officials.
Richard - Current bikes: 2016 BMW R1200RS, 2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.
Do everything you can, everyone. Preventing just ONE new case is huge. The real horror is just around the corner, just now starting, when HC staff decide it's better to stay home than arrive to work only to have no PPE to use, and it's already happening as you know. And of course as each HC staff becomes ill they're out of the workforce, and at some point and it would appear fairly soon, and to the extent we don't stop the type of transmission behaviors that you see all over still, you will simply not have anyone to put you on a vent, even if they have one to use. The skill required to manage patients in the ICU is substantial. The way to enforce this is to make known on no uncertain terms the severe penalties you will incur if you break the proximity rule. This should have happened from the top down, nationally, many days ago as the writing was on the wall in bold lettering, we certainly had a front row seat for weeks to learn from including Taiwan and S Korea. Right now you have states competing with one another for PPE, vents, etc. Our hope is to be able to route available PPE where it's needed the most in this dynamic situation.
We do have an asset I don't hear being discussed, so I have contacted Colorado governor Polis' office (the guy is awesome, just awesome) as well as Newsom's (I have dual citizenship ;o)) to mention it and that is simply: anyone who has gotten COVID-19 and recovered is now immune to reinfection during this outbreak, and we have a good idea at what point someone won't shed live virus. This is a growing body of people who can work amongst the infected w/ impunity provided they don't transfer to uninfected, so can immediately go back to work in whatever field they just had to temporarily leave. They won't need face masks, face shields, and right now that matters. We need a central registry in each area of those people so that employers can contact them w/ assurance they are safe to work around, still of course adhering to strict universal precautions. Or something along those lines.
Speaking of social distancing, why doesn't the President do that when he is giving one of his daily news conferences? He is surrounded by his henchmen at the podium and they are only about a foot away from each other. Even his chief medical advisor. Why doesn't he get the virus? Could it be the chemical that makes him orange, that won't allow the virus to attach to his cells?
Richard - Current bikes: 2016 BMW R1200RS, 2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.
Speaking of social distancing, why doesn't the President do that when he is giving one of his daily news conferences? He is surrounded by his henchmen at the podium and they are only about a foot away from each other. Even his chief medical advisor. Why doesn't he get the virus? Could it be the chemical that makes him orange, that won't allow the virus to attach to his cells?
Covid-19 requires brain cells . . . .
2013 F800GT Graphite Metallic-Gone to a new home
Not a 2nd childhood, still in the 1st
Local Ford/Chevrolet dealer is advertising a new car purchase, all online. They say they will park it in your driveway. Not even a handshake. Whoda Thunk?
2013 F800GT Graphite Metallic-Gone to a new home
Not a 2nd childhood, still in the 1st
No BS sales talk, or waiting for " the sales manager" to see what he can do, no having to sit and listen to the wanker that writes up the contract trying to wear you down to buy the" very popular " extended warranty....what is not to like.
Originally Posted by WildWilly
Local Ford/Chevrolet dealer is advertising a new car purchase, all online. They say they will park it in your driveway. Not even a handshake. Whoda Thunk?
BMW F800S…….
There is no words to adequately describe the batshit crazies....
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F800Riders.org Supporter
Orange. Just the comfort pack and heated grips - not into gizmos.
Originally Posted by Runmyownlife
If it doesn't spread here, then something is wrong with the advice of our health officials.
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