Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on Mar 24, 2020 18:23:40 GMT
Well, with this lock down, I have decided I need to set myself a few challenges that can be done indoors, in the garden or over the fields/woods nearby.
I am determined to learn just enough of a few European languages to book a hotel, buy a bus ticket and eat in a restaurant without resorting to asking off they have an English menu. I don't know how many weeks I might be at home but I am thinking 6 might do it?
Then I have so many indoor diy jobs to do, but with all of the shops closed, I don't know quite how far I can get with all of them.
I had the garden as a 'to do' but have virtually finished it already with this great weather we have had the last few days (admittedly it's not a large garden and I usually keep on top of it)
Cleaned the car inside and out today , and had a bike ride, tidied the shed. Got 2 bike projects I might be able to complete but will be hampered for small bits like brake pads, inner tubes etc
I think the recycle centre has closed too, so can't create too much of a pile to be disposed of.
What are you folks getting up to?
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Post by velocipete on Mar 25, 2020 8:07:23 GMT
I've been stuck with the jobs I've been putting off for years! Luckily the tip is shut,I can't get rid of things that have been on madams list to go out! Needless to say that they aren't on my list. Got my first ride on my Aerospace Sport framed Franken bike yesterday. Only 5 miles,but it was great to be out. I'm afraid that I'm well into the at risk category having had a heart attack and being over 70 doesn't help. I'm waiting for a copper to ask where I'm going. I hope all the Viscount community is keeping well and we can get around to planning a DFR in the near future. Cheers, Pete.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on Mar 25, 2020 17:18:31 GMT
I found out this morning that our tip is shut. Pretty big blow to my plans of a loft/garden/shed clear out
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Post by triitout on Mar 25, 2020 20:32:40 GMT
I found out this morning that our tip is shut. Pretty big blow to my plans of a loft/garden/shed clear out Good to see I'm not the only one with shed issues......to go along with garage and crawl space issues. My fear is when I go, my family will just toss everything Just cleaned and polished bike #3, my Centurion Ironman Expert. Going for the low hanging fruit first. I've got to build up for the real projects. I'm sure I'm not the only one with 5+ years worth of old notices, insurance policies, etc to send to the shredder. Made some progress there as well. How long do some of you think you'll be kept under lock and key for? Here in Long Island/NY Metro we are pretty hard hit. I don't see normalcy returning for several months. I'm a dentist and my profession has some real issues with trying to do infection control in the covid19 age. We generate an aerosol spray with many of our main line procedures and the virus can live in the aerosol for up to 3 hours. Big problem with no obvious solution other than staff and patients proving with a positive antibody test that they have been exposed and have immunity. The antibody test has been developed and hopefully will speed up the knowledge base who is no longer a threat. The vaccine is probably 1+ years away. I will be off until there is a vaccine or I have immunity. The vaccine is a longer but surely safer way to go. Never thought about retirement even at 66 but pending how this plays out, who knows?https://nypost.com/2020/03/24/mount-sinai-researchers-develop-test-for-coronavirus-antibodies/
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Post by cusqueno on Apr 5, 2020 21:38:25 GMT
Could this be a good time to plan a 2020 Death Fork Rally? One result of the lockdown has been the cancellation of many events needing complex planning - so perhaps there will be fewer cycling events competing for people’s attention and better availability for a DFR!
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Post by franco on Apr 6, 2020 20:18:57 GMT
I think we’ll be under restrictions until the kids go back to school in September, maybe not full lockdown, probably go back to social distancing first.
Tough times. Me and my missus are both self employed, her school has had to close and nobody wants me in their houses working. Trying to take some positives out of it though, tidied the garden and fixed things around the house that had built up. I’m getting out for a ride every other day, keeping it down to 15 miles. Picked up an old Raleigh Medale that I stripped back to restore, just to occupy myself more than anything, I know they aren’t worth a lot. Getting deliveries is a nightmare so it’s a case of making do with what is lying around in the shed.
That ride out when you can blows the cobwebs out of your head, I just hope we don’t lose that privilege by people abusing it.
Stay safe everyone.
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Post by wheelson on Apr 7, 2020 2:42:44 GMT
Could this be a good time to plan a 2020 Death Fork Rally? One result of the lockdown has been the cancellation of many events needing complex planning - so perhaps there will be fewer cycling events competing for people’s attention and better availability for a DFR! Hope we'll be done with this thing before Fall but I sincerely doubt it. After a disaster of a riding season last year, I had planned to attend two events this year, a classic bike weekend in North Carolina in May and Peter Weigle's French Fender Day in Connecticut in the Fall. The NC event has been bumped to the Fall and no word yet on the FFD. I fear both may be out this year. As far as the DFR, being here in the USA it wasn't likely I could make it this year, possibly next year as we had a tentative plan for a trip to Scotland, Ireland, and England in late 2021 with our son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. All up in the air at this time, of course. We just had a virtual 2nd birthday party for said grandson on April 1. A bit sad since we're only 35 miles from his home in Pittsburgh but happy all the same: other grandmother and aunt in Virginia, our daughter in West Virginia and it worked. So perhaps if worse comes to worse, we can all do some "social distancing" (solo) rides this year on a given date and then share ride and bike photos and experiences as a virtual DFR. Something to think about perhaps. In the meantime, thoughts and prayers for all of you, scattered as we are but somehow all brought a bit more together facing a common enemy. Best, John "wheelson" Western Pennsylvania, USA
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Apr 9, 2020 17:43:49 GMT
During this stay at home (except for certain things) times, I am so thankful to live in a rural area. In the mountains of California, most days are nice. Of course we this is interrupted with times of rain, snow, wind, or just plain cold Bear Valley Springs Weather. I am able to ride most days and my wife and I are able to have our daily walks on our local nature trails. It is said that the US Government will be sending (maybe $2400) as an incentive to stimulate the economy. This is nice as income tax, property tax, car insurance (for 3 cars) as well as car license and smog inspection (for 1 car) come due this month. Of course being retired, my income is stable, stimulus money is gravy. Most folks are not so lucky. I have great sympathy for those put out of work and urge all to support their local businesses (if open) as well as local charities.
What is different, is having to forage. Panic buying has left many store shelves empty. This forces me to shop far more often, and visit more stores, than usual. Some folks wear masks (they are optional) but most store clerks do not. This seems strange to me. They rely on a Plexiglas barrier at check out counters as well as social distancing for stock clerks; I still think they should have greater protection.
Cheers
Jim
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on Apr 10, 2020 6:41:38 GMT
What is different, is having to forage. Panic buying has left many store shelves empty. This forces me to shop far more often, and visit more stores, than usual. Some folks wear masks (they are optional) but most store clerks do not. This seems strange to me. They rely on a Plexiglas barrier at check out counters as well as social distancing for stock clerks; I still think they should have greater protection.
Cheers
Jim
Similar here Jim. The supermarket checkout operators really are in the thick of it and the recently installed plexiglass is not protecting them fully. The local chemists have just gone to wearing masks and gloves but I suspect that if they are wearing the same gloves for most of the day, then it is giving false security. In terms of foraging, we had a superb accompaniment to our roast the other day by harvesting a bag of fresh young nettles - ounce for ounce they have more vit C than almost anything. Wild garlic leaves are a great , tasty salad. Got my spuds on the ground and am having to earth them up most days at the minute. Forced some rhubarb on too, by putting a big bucket over them and had some of that in a pudding the other night too (embedded them in a low carb pudding mix which is the quickest , simplest 'cake' type thing possible...1 egg, 2 spoon of coconut oil, 1 spoon vanilla flavour, half a grated apple, and 50g of ground almond. Mix up and put in microwave for 3 mins high- put the rhubarb in there and some custard and voila, top class pudding without too many carbs) Jem
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Post by franco on May 16, 2020 22:29:55 GMT
How is everyone holding up?
In the last week I see traffic has doubled and the normal douchebaggery is returning. Not sure where everyone is going to at land speed records as there is nowhere open but ya know...
It’s been a terrible situation with much loss but I have enjoyed the peace it brought. I suppose we’ll lurch back to chaos over the following months.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on May 17, 2020 8:13:16 GMT
How is everyone holding up? In the last week I see traffic has doubled and the normal douchebaggery is returning. Not sure where everyone is going to at land speed records as there is nowhere open but ya know... It’s been a terrible situation with much loss but I have enjoyed the peace it brought. I suppose we’ll lurch back to chaos over the following months. For what it's worth, when people talk about going back to 'normal' , I feel the space has made me realise that 'normal' isn't really very normal at all and I am not in a rush to return to it. In my job we often talk about the 'frog in hot water' scenario where a frog can sit in a pan of water and the temp can increase and it won't jump out and save itself because it becomes accustomed to the heat, up to the point where it gets boiled alive...but if you drop a frog into a pan of boiling water it jumps out in self preservation . I think a lot of us are going to feel like frogs being put back into boiling water, and realising it's not a good idea. Don't get me wrong, I love a bit of pressure and sometimes if you don't set yourself some deadlines and targets, you can lack any motivation to get moving..but I am enjoying setting my own targets and goals at the moment and feel a whole lot healthier for it. I'm using this time as a little trial run for retirement which can't be far off.
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Post by franco on May 17, 2020 21:00:41 GMT
How is everyone holding up? In the last week I see traffic has doubled and the normal douchebaggery is returning. Not sure where everyone is going to at land speed records as there is nowhere open but ya know... It’s been a terrible situation with much loss but I have enjoyed the peace it brought. I suppose we’ll lurch back to chaos over the following months. For what it's worth, when people talk about going back to 'normal' , I feel the space has made me realise that 'normal' isn't really very normal at all and I am not in a rush to return to it. In my job we often talk about the 'frog in hot water' scenario where a frog can sit in a pan of water and the temp can increase and it won't jump out and save itself because it becomes accustomed to the heat, up to the point where it gets boiled alive...but if you drop a frog into a pan of boiling water it jumps out in self preservation . I think a lot of us are going to feel like frogs being put back into boiling water, and realising it's not a good idea. Don't get me wrong, I love a bit of pressure and sometimes if you don't set yourself some deadlines and targets, you can lack any motivation to get moving..but I am enjoying setting my own targets and goals at the moment and feel a whole lot healthier for it. I'm using this time as a little trial run for retirement which can't be far off. Very well put, ‘normal’ wasn’t actually normal at all.
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Post by brianbutler on May 18, 2020 0:37:30 GMT
How is everyone holding up? In the last week I see traffic has doubled and the normal douchebaggery is returning. Not sure where everyone is going to at land speed records as there is nowhere open but ya know... It’s been a terrible situation with much loss but I have enjoyed the peace it brought. I suppose we’ll lurch back to chaos over the following months. Yes, everything we have been doing is working well so obviously it is time to stop doing it.
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Post by franco on May 19, 2020 12:43:41 GMT
Ah well, at least it’s still quiet down the country lanes...
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Post by franco on Jul 29, 2020 19:43:31 GMT
Well, I don’t know if we are in a post-Covid world or not yet but...
I went to the dentists today for an appointment I booked in March. Big changes. I was the only customer in there and had to ring a door bell, couldn’t just walk in, I had to wear a mask and they took my temperature on entry asking me a few questions to check I don’t have any symptoms.
The surgery itself was like walking into a Biotoxic Lab with the amount of PPE being worn and coverings. It all went well, I feel for them though, must be tough working with all that gear on.
On the flip side some people think it’s over, gathering and partying, I find the whole situation bizarre and mishandled.
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Jul 29, 2020 23:03:22 GMT
I had an appointment to see my cardiologist in March. Masks, temperature, questionnaire, only the patient allowed in building, everyone looked like they were in surgery. I have another appointment on Monday; same drill. I am looking forward to getting all of this behind us. Meanwhile, bicycle sales are hot!
Cheers Jim
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Post by triitout on Jul 30, 2020 2:42:12 GMT
Well, I don’t know if we are in a post-Covid world or not yet but... I went to the dentists today for an appointment I booked in March. Big changes. I was the only customer in there and had to ring a door bell, couldn’t just walk in, I had to wear a mask and they took my temperature on entry asking me a few questions to check I don’t have any symptoms. The surgery itself was like walking into a Biotoxic Lab with the amount of PPE being worn and coverings. It all went well, I feel for them though, must be tough working with all that gear on. On the flip side some people think it’s over, gathering and partying, I find the whole situation bizarre and mishandled. I've been a dentist for 40+ years and covid has changed everything. The PPE is stifling and requires frequent breaks for some fresh air. Being high risk (age, asthma, recent pneumonia), I've had to limit my hours and what treatment I can provide. Questionnaires and temperature checks are mandatory. The elephant in the room is covid's primary transmission is airborne. Dental handpieces and cavitrons used for cleaning create aerosols potentially spreading virus if you have a covid positive patient so they are to be avoided. We have no point of service testing so we have to assume everyone is positive. There is evidence pointing towards virus circulating in aerosols for hours after procedures but know one really knows for how long and at what concentration. Nobody knows what level is capable of spreading viral transmission. There are no universal precautions for airborne pathogens. We really need a vaccine and/or rapid on site accurate testing to know who is safe to treat. Who knows when that will happen? To say morale is low and anxiety is high in the office is an understatement. I could go on but you get the idea. The power of biking is my best defense to staying healthy and keep my stress levels in check.
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Post by wheelson on Jul 30, 2020 3:53:38 GMT
Michael, I understand completely. I made a visit to my dentist today, a new guy who bought the practice just prior to COVID. He has to be really feeling the pain. I hate to do it to the guy, but I'm trying to delay some upcoming dental surgery until Fall, some until early next year in hopes that things will get better. And in hopes of salvaging some more riding time this year which I very badly need. Best, John "wheelson"
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Post by franco on Jul 30, 2020 15:41:30 GMT
Well, I don’t know if we are in a post-Covid world or not yet but... I went to the dentists today for an appointment I booked in March. Big changes. I was the only customer in there and had to ring a door bell, couldn’t just walk in, I had to wear a mask and they took my temperature on entry asking me a few questions to check I don’t have any symptoms. The surgery itself was like walking into a Biotoxic Lab with the amount of PPE being worn and coverings. It all went well, I feel for them though, must be tough working with all that gear on. On the flip side some people think it’s over, gathering and partying, I find the whole situation bizarre and mishandled. I've been a dentist for 40+ years and covid has changed everything. The PPE is stifling and requires frequent breaks for some fresh air. Being high risk (age, asthma, recent pneumonia), I've had to limit my hours and what treatment I can provide. Questionnaires and temperature checks are mandatory. The elephant in the room is covid's primary transmission is airborne. Dental handpieces and cavitrons used for cleaning create aerosols potentially spreading virus if you have a covid positive patient so they are to be avoided. We have no point of service testing so we have to assume everyone is positive. There is evidence pointing towards virus circulating in aerosols for hours after procedures but know one really knows for how long and at what concentration. Nobody knows what level is capable of spreading viral transmission. There are no universal precautions for airborne pathogens. We really need a vaccine and/or rapid on site accurate testing to know who is safe to treat. Who knows when that will happen? To say morale is low and anxiety is high in the office is an understatement. I could go on but you get the idea. The power of biking is my best defense to staying healthy and keep my stress levels in check. Sounds really tough, stay safe the best you can triitout.
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Post by dracco on Jul 30, 2020 17:30:09 GMT
Well, we're in a post-Covid world in the sense that now your chance of dying from Covid-19 is MUCH lower than is the risk of being knocked off your bike by a careless car driver.
One of the best features of the lockdown was the almost car-free roads, when everyone was staying at home. During the excellent weather we had in April,I was seeing many more cyclists out on the road than cars, and cycling was a pleasure: low accident risk, no exhaust fumes to suck up and you don't get much more socially distanced riding a bike!
Interesting to hear the proposals here in the UK to persuade more people onto cycles, and to invest in increased numbers of cycle lanes, especially if they mean what they say about physical separation of these from the rest of the road. (I remain sceptical: this is easy to say and very hard to achieve - I'll believe it when I see it).
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Post by franco on Oct 18, 2020 18:08:44 GMT
I didn’t think I’d be bumping this thread in October but there is no end in sight is there?
Most mornings I check the news before I go to work or start the day, this mornings headlines put me in a bit of a slump, absolutely nothing positive or remotely happy to write about.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on Oct 18, 2020 20:28:38 GMT
I didn’t think I’d be bumping this thread in October but there is no end in sight is there? Most mornings I check the news before I go to work or start the day, this mornings headlines put me in a bit of a slump, absolutely nothing positive or remotely happy to write about. France and Spain are in bigger wave now than the first one, and the UK have no real plan for dealing with it, can't be long before we are in big trouble here. We had all this time to get something in place, but instead gave the money to some company run by incompetents , related to the other incompetents who run the country. I know New Zealand is smaller, but they got on top of this virus from day 1 and they can return to a fairly normal economy, ditto a number of other countries. So , it's not at all positive and as we head into winter, this isn't going to get better anytime soon is it? No mention of a vaccine either. I'm a naturally pessimistic person anyway, and the idea that you can get reinfected , and the the reports of 'long covid' and organ damage as well as lung damage are bad news for the foreseeable. My feelings are that instead of clapping for the NHS, we should pay them more - and those politicians who are giving themselves a bigger than inflation pay rise this year, let them make do with our applause (or lack of it)
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Post by franco on Oct 18, 2020 20:54:26 GMT
I didn’t think I’d be bumping this thread in October but there is no end in sight is there? Most mornings I check the news before I go to work or start the day, this mornings headlines put me in a bit of a slump, absolutely nothing positive or remotely happy to write about. France and Spain are in bigger wave now than the first one, and the UK have no real plan for dealing with it, can't be long before we are in big trouble here. We had all this time to get something in place, but instead gave the money to some company run by incompetents , related to the other incompetents who run the country. I know New Zealand is smaller, but they got on top of this virus from day 1 and they can return to a fairly normal economy, ditto a number of other countries. So , it's not at all positive and as we head into winter, this isn't going to get better anytime soon is it? No mention of a vaccine either. I'm a naturally pessimistic person anyway, and the idea that you can get reinfected , and the the reports of 'long covid' and organ damage as well as lung damage are bad news for the foreseeable. My feelings are that instead of clapping for the NHS, we should pay them more - and those politicians who are giving themselves a bigger than inflation pay rise this year, let them make do with our applause (or lack of it) I’m an optimistic guy and it’s pulling me down at times, it’s just one big shitshow. Conflicting reports, opinions, solutions, and that’s with a team of scientists. What does that mean though? They could well be in someone’s pocket for all we know, I’m not a conspiracist by any stretch of the imagination but something isn’t right with all this.
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Oct 18, 2020 22:34:51 GMT
At least in this country, CoVid has become a political issue; which pretty much makes everything worse. On the up side, the CoVid crisis has made cycling very popular and bikes are hard to come by (time to sell). As for me, I am convinced that cycling has a positive affect during the crisis. It prevents cabin fever and becoming stir crazy. Bicycle crazy may be a side effect.
Cheers Jim
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Post by triitout on Oct 18, 2020 22:35:41 GMT
I feel for all the small businesses and individuals that are being hurt economically as per not being able to cover their bills, especially food, rent and health insurance. My thinking is that the investment in aid and support will be cheaper in the long run than trying to rebuild all of the shattered lives. It's also the most humane way forward. So much money wasted in corporate giveaways and arsenal building that are of no benefit to the average working person/small business owner. We have the election in a bit over two weeks. Maybe sanity will be restored in that aspect. Maybe the science will become clearer and respected. To quote Bruce Springsteen, "May our strength give us strength, may our faith give us faith, may our hope bring us hope, may our love bring us love" from The Rising album.
Meanwhile....me and the Mrs continue our hermit like existence, just like pre-covid. While covid fatigue sometimes feels like it rears its ugly head, we are staying disciplined and hope it continues to keep us safe. I miss all of the cancelled triathlon races. I limited my swimming to outdoor pools and open water in season and now that's over. Given the choice between running and biking, I'm always going to choose biking especially with no triathlons on the horizon. The silver lining is I've blown through my best single year cycling mileage total already and I'm loving rotating through all my Viscounts as well as my "modern" bikes. I'm just trying to keep covid out of my mind as much as possible.
Best to everyone out there for safe passage through this challenge.
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Post by triitout on Oct 18, 2020 22:44:50 GMT
At least in this country, CoVid has become a political issue; which just pretty much makes everything worse. On the up side, the CoVid crisis has made cycling very popular and bikes are hard to come by (time to sell). As for me, I am convinced that cycling has a positive affect during the crisis. It prevents cabin fever and becoming stir crazy. Bicycle crazy may be a side effect.
Cheers Jim
It's a sad day when public health policy is affected by politics. It's even worse when a radiologist with no public health policy experience is now the main source of influence on said politician. Do you think this will end up being like the 1970's "Bike Boom"? I can see lots of these bikes becoming basement queens. I'm definitely talking bike info with lots of curious patients. Sure beats explaining the ins and out of root canal therapy!
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Post by brianbutler on Oct 19, 2020 3:14:43 GMT
Oldroadietehachapi, if the vintage couple on the vintage tandem had a bigger basket, they could buy the Pabst returnable quarts in the returnable waxed cardboard case and save the planet if not their livers. Also, check your private messages. I have an off-topic question for you.
Triitout, I think I will also log a record mileage year. BTW, "ins and outs" of root canal therapy is too graphic.
Brian
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Post by wheelson on Oct 19, 2020 3:36:29 GMT
Brian, I have a 1948 Schwinn Town & Country tandem that started life as the none in the PBR ad. It has not much resemblance to that one, with drop bars and a single-side chain, it looks more like a bent tube Jack Taylor. I guess that neither my wife or I look like the riders in that ad either. As far as the comparison of the current Covid boom to the '70s, I was in the bike business in both. The current one seems so much more pronounced. Our shop sold out of new bikes around the end of May. We're not projected to get more for one or two months yet. Tires, tubes, and now parts supplies are critical in some sizes and types. Fortunately, bike shops in Pennsylvania are deemed essential and we have remained open since the beginning. At 72 years old, I initially worked 2 hours before opening hours and 2 hours after 4 days per week. Since June I've been working about 5 hours per day during regular hours, mask on when someone else is in the shop. So far so good. Some but not a lot of riding due to medical issues. A lot of uncertainty about what's next, I really feel bad about so many small businesses such as restaurants that have never gotten past 50 percent occupancy, and now cold weather is on its way. Best, John "wheelson"
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ks1u
Viscount
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Post by ks1u on Oct 19, 2020 13:33:57 GMT
It's interesting that so many BS are selling out of bikes. I haven't seen an increase in the number on the roads here in SE CT when on any of my courses. I am currently about 90% done with an Aerospace GP rebuild which was really started by not being able to get new tires for my regular training bike, (26x1.75 Specialized, Infinity Armadillo Reflect). Fortunately, the new build uses 700c tires and there are still plenty of those available.
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Oct 19, 2020 15:26:18 GMT
Our very small local bike shop has not received new bikes in some months; they do not expect a delivery in the next few months. I think the little guys are at the back of the list.
In Bakersfield, the larger bike shops have a diminished stock, mostly hybrid and mountain bikes.
Our local Walmart had empty bike racks until recently; the racks are now filled. Of course they only have cheaply built, low end bikes, made in China.
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