By blackmountaincycles,
Filed under: Shop stuff
How many times have you heard the phrase “this is the new normal?” No. It’s not normal. It’s been two weeks since a shelter in place order was enacted, first in the bay area, and then all of California. Initially, bike shops weren’t on the list of essential businesses. Bike organizations then lobbied to have bike shops added to the list. This has happened all over the country, but some states have not adopted that. And honestly, I’m conflicted by that. More about that conflict in a bit.
The shelter in place is meant to limit interactions between people to slow the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. During the first week of the shelter in place order, it seemed business as usual. Visitors flocked to West Marin, packing parking lots, the grocery store, the roads…it looked like it was a holiday weekend. I don’t know why some people think these guidelines don’t apply to them. So many people impacted the area that all parks in the county, including the national parks, have closed their parking lots. The idea being if you need to get out for a walk, do it from your house. Yet still, the sides of the road next to closed parking area here are now packed with cars and horse trailers. Americans and their sense of entitlement will kill us. That’s not hyperbole.
Now to what bike shops are considered. Essential. Hmmm, I’m not so sure. Or rather, that’s not been what I’ve seen. What I’ve seen is the need to keep bikes running so the owners can continue to recreate, not for essential transportation. It is important to get some exercise and outside time during this shelter in place. I don’t think using this time off from one’s job to get as many miles as possible falls within the spirit of what is allowed to get fresh air outside. But I get it. People feel the need to get out on the bike. Riding a bike is a freeing feeling. I just feel a tinge of guilt by kitting up to get some miles. Maybe that’s just me.
Besides riding the 4 mile round-trip to the shop and back to take care of orders people have placed with me, I’ve gone on one “ride.” My rides now are to the shop and back, a pedal out to a spot I like to sip coffee, and that’s pretty much it. Instead, I have been walking from my house. I do consider myself lucky because I live 1/4 mile from the Pt. Reyes National Seashore headquarters and the trailheads of many great hikes. If I hike in my everyday street clothes, is it a hike, or just a walk in the woods. You don’t hike when you’re walking on a city sidewalk. Or do you? I don’t know anymore because of this whole new normal thing.
The reality is this whole thing sucks. But, if we stay at home and take precautions, it will pass. And then we’ll be back to normal. It’s hard. But it’s not as hard as burying someone you love. The shop continues to be closed with no appointments being offered at this time. I’m still shipping orders – prepping frames and building wheels and will continue as long as UPS is still handling shipments. But, if I don’t have any tasks that need completing, I’m not in the shop. I’m sheltering at home. Or going for a walk.
I love what I do. I love what the shop has done and what it means to everyone who owns one of my frames, wheels, or has had their bike serviced at Black Mountain Cycles. The shop will be okay through this and I can promise that when it’s over, I’ll be back at it full-time for you.
I’m a fan of statistics. Stats don’t lie. Stats aren’t partisan. These two articles, the first was published on March 10 and the follow up on March 19 are well worth the time to digest their contents. Coronavirus: Why You Must Act Now followed up by Cornovirus: The Hammer and The Dance.
The Hydra King custom wheelset
Custom Road+ wheelset
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What’s playing: A Social Distance Playlist
Richard Thompson: Keep Your Distance
The Police: Don’t Stand So Close To Me
MC Hammer: U Can’t Touch This
R.E.M: Stand
Gilbert O’Sullivan: Alone Again (Naturally)
Rolling Stones: Gimme Shelter
Joy Division: Isolation
Beach Boys: In My Room
Love: Alone Again, Or
Billy Idol: Dancing With Myself
Los Lobos: I Walk Alone
Bettye Swan: Don’t Touch Me
Nirvana: Stay Away
The Clash: Should I Stay, Or Should I Go
Buck Owens: Close Up The Honkytonks
Bob Dylan: Standing In The Doorway
The Nerves: Stand Back and Take A Good Look
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds: Jesus Alone
Comment below if you have a song that reflects the time.
17 responses to “This Is No April Fools Joke”
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Splendid Isolation, Warren Zevon. I think we have a lot of common taste in music.
That’s perfect! Love Warren Zevon’s music.
Ridin Home by JJ Cale
Safety Dance, by Men Without Hats
I Drink Alone – George Thorogood and the Destroyers
I wanna be sedated- The Ramones
How Can I Miss You If You Won’t Go Away- Dan Hicks, thanks , be well, John
Life During Wartimes –Talking Heads
Only the Lonely -Roy Orbison , Walk on By- Dione Warwick
Enjoy the Silence–Depeche Mode
Leave Me Alone–New Order
And not quite on theme, but on topic: Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth–Neko Case
Thank you for the thoughtful post, and for the wheels I enjoy on good days and otherwise.
Ventilator Blues – The Rolling Stones
One Fine Morning — Bill Callahan
Or all of side B — Bill Callahan, “Apocalypse”
Thanks for this blog post and the links to the Hammer&Dance article. Have not been checking much news or social media but do check on your page… stoked about the La Cabra bike by the way!
Elton John, Honky Cat
Canadian plug –
Bruce Cockburn – Lovers in a Dangerous Time
The Tragically Hip – Lonely End of the Rink
Loving my Road frame – tres svelte. I get many compliments on the V3 graphics; more than once by someone riding a new Pinarello. Stay safe!
Credence – Looking out my Back Door
I have switched from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu back to some cycling during the Pandemic. I do think cycling shops are offering an essential service. People are not going to adhere to restrictions that are too draconian and there needs to be a weighing of efficacy versus how onerous any given measure is.
My friends have gone back to jiu jitsu ( here in what is now Ground Zero, South Florida ). We would all be better off if they were cycling as an alternative. It is indoor activities ( especially ones where we hug, sweat and breath on each other ) that are the contagion vector. I also think there’s an argument for the entire community needing to get into better shape as a preparedness measure for combating a respiratory disease.
Of course, common sense is needed, and I would say that “club runs” are off the table. One should probably only cycle with other people already sharing one’s house.
If you are still conflicted I would say “Don’t be!”. Yes, you can do without the casual through traffic of cyclist looking to shoot the breeze as we love to do, or buyers who are going to walk out and place an order from Bikes Direct. Anybody looking to buy equipment, have a bike repaired or seek advice is being served honorably and can be served safely and you are providing a needed service.
Best of luck BTW.
Ed.
Leaders of the Free World by Elbow.
Great list.