By blackmountaincycles,
Filed under: Uncategorized
It’s Day 4 of the “shelter in place” directive. Since it began in the 7 Bay Area counties, it’s expanded to all of California and many other states. Even though San Francisco deems bike shops as essential and are allowed to remain open, I’m only slightly adjusting my shop policy. During the past 4 days, I have been in the shop for a couple of hours each day to fulfill orders – prep frames, build wheels, receive orders. I have had people contact me to make appointments to have their bike serviced. That will continue. But the door has remained locked and I’m not open to folks who want to browse or are bored and want to wander in. To that, I say if you’re bored, tough. Get over it. We all are. The couple hours I’ve not been in the shop, I’ve spent my time riding some, reading (current book is Alice Bag’s Violence Girl), and watching some streaming TV. Why did I not know about “Brockmire” before this. I can’t recall the last time I laughed out loud at a TV show.
The other reason why I’ll not be open to walk-in customers is I cannot guarantee your safety. I wash my hands a lot, but I don’t have the resources to allow everyone to wash their hands. And, because the local stores have been out of stock, I don’t have hand sanitizer or a bleach solution to sanitize things like the door knob or the pump I loan out to riders who need to top off their tires because they still insist on using CO2 cartridges to fill tires for roadside repairs (wait, did I just go off on CO2 inflation devices – yes, yes I did). I will be checking availability of cleaning supplies today and everyday to try and have those on-hand.
If I can’t guarantee your safety, that means I can’t guarantee my safety. We all know how many times we riders wipe our noses or blow our noses on a ride simply because riding increases the amount of airflow and causes the nose to run more. I don’t want you handing me your cash or credit card with that hand that just wiped your nose. I just don’t. Personally, I feel that if I get the virus, I’ll recover ok. But I don’t want to have it and pass it on to someone else – especially my parents, who are in their 80s. Healthy, but in their 80s. I don’t want to need to go help them if necessary and bring some unwanted baggage.
Sorry if this sounds a bit terse, but that’s the reality. Yesterday, I saw a group of older cyclists congregating together at the espresso stand in town. I was pretty much blown away that the exact demographic that is the most at-risk, were not heeding the easily understood guidelines to protect themselves. This all may seem a bit paranoid, and it should. This isn’t the time to throw caution to the wind.
So, that’s the state of things today. If there’s any change, I’ll update. For now, the webstore is open and I am shipping within a day or so. I’m open for appointments only during a limted set of hours mid-day. Contact me by email through the contact form on the website if you don’t already have my email address. Thanks and please be safe and do what’s required to protect yourself and those around you or who you may inadvertently come in contact. Ride on.
The work stand is full. Appointment only.
(What’s playing: Miles Davis Straight, No Chaser)
2 responses to “COVID-19 Update For Black Mountain Cycles.”
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Kudos Mike. When our leaders fail to lead we all become leaders. This is our burden as as members of the tribe of “those who know better”.
Can I borrow that?