There is no doubt that the Corona virus will impact riding the next few months or maybe longer. Some things I have read recently:
MSR cancelled.
MMM cancelled.
Some Moto business are modifying their operations. I just read notices from Cycle Gear, RevZilla and Max motorsports about changes. I'm sure there will be others.
Some states are pretty much shutting down making it difficult to travel there.
On the bright side, there will be much less traffic on the road.
The Ride for Pie and The Free State event are coming up. Will they still happen? Will Chef Troy's be willing to take a big group?
How about local rides? How many would be willing to go out with the typical group of 5-10 riders and have lunch somewhere? Will restaurants be open?
I personally don't want to cancel all my riding plans for the next few months and would be willing to go on a group ride or event.
How about you? I'm interested in your thoughts, just keep politics out of it.
I am not going back to work until at least the 31st and have a new toy to play with so I expect that I will be doing a lot of riding in the next couple weeks. I would still do a small group ride (5 or less) and would stop somewhere and get takeout to enjoy under a nice shade tree.
Looking for the lemonade in all this, looking forward to what others have to say.
I'm still planning to do my Tellico and Dirt Devil rides, unless the gubment confines us to our homes or restricts interstate travel. We may not be able to eat in restaurants, but that would be okay with me.
After these two rides, I'll probably try to keep my group rides in north Alabama for a while. It's getting too hard to get the whole weekend off for out-of-state trips, because of family commitments. And we need more planned local rides anyway.
I enjoy riding solo or small group so if they were to cancel work for a bit, I'd be only too happy to hit the road for some riding or overnight trip.
But since I work in the IT field, can telecommute, only live 10 minutes from the office, and have to be on-hand to support everyone else who may be working at home, I suspect things will remain business as usual.
As soon as I can get my wife over her back surgery and the rain stops, I'm ready to ride. No hand shakes or hugs for a bit should take care of the rest.
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I call for Picnic rides! Pack lunch for yourself and small ride group to nice scenery and drag out what you brought to eat. That way the worry of restaurants being open or not are void. I can think of one spot right now. Putting new tires back on tonight, "Good Lord willing and the Creeks don't rise".
Well I've be socially distant all my life ;) I am going camping this weekend to a place where no one will be, except the guy with me and I never get within 6 feet of him. I can get there and get back home without even having to stop to buy gas. But I'm thinking this may be the last time for a while, if this stuff reaches critical mass and explodes like in other countries I don't think I will be thinking much about motorcycles.
I am not changing a thing. My opinion is this is still severely over hyped.
It's a tough call, all around.
Yeah, it's being sensationalized - that's what the media do - but at the same time, there is a time for prudence - and that's MOST of the time.
Just don't be stupid. Cuz stupid hurts.
That said, riding around in the open air puts me no more at risk of catching the flu, than standing on my head in my living room. I'm healthy enough, I've never had a flu shot, and I NEVER have had the flu. I've had a cold that might have been borderline, but simply put, I don't get sick.
I'm not a homebody, either. I gotta get out and about.
Trying to take my own advice ("don't be stupid"), but sometimes I'm more successful at that, than at other times.
But in the end, I refuse / REFUSE / to live my life in fear.
Come on. I mean, I ride a motorcycle. On the streets even!
(Kind of a joke, there.)
Face your fears. Live your dreams.
This is temporary.
Y'all be well.
I have rethought this whole thing. Our hospital system will soon be overwhelmed. This would really be a bad time to crash and be injured. I don't expect to do a lot of riding in the near future although I won't stop completely.
Quote from: klaviator on March 20, 2020, 08:02:09 AM
I have rethought this whole thing. Our hospital system will soon be overwhelmed. This would really be a bad time to crash and be injured. I don't expect to do a lot of riding in the near future although I won't stop completely.
Just throttle back a little Klav! ???
Quote from: klaviator on March 20, 2020, 08:02:09 AM
I have rethought this whole thing. Our hospital system will soon be overwhelmed. This would really be a bad time to crash and be injured. I don't expect to do a lot of riding in the near future although I won't stop completely.
This is a good point, hadn't thought specifically of that, even though I'm taking this whole thing very seriously. Have several friends in medical field and hospitals and they are really worried, they see what's coming. We have this false sense of security that there are ample medical facilities in this country. There aren't. There definitely aren't in most of Alabama. The next couple of weeks will be a bad time to need a hospital...
Just ride responsibly. Traffic is significantly lighter now. It's been a few years since I felt this safe riding on the roads.
I didn't go camping this weekend because the weather outlook wasn't so good. I took a long backcountry road ride yesterday, no cars, so I could go as slow as I wanted ;D, just meander along looking around.
Definitely liking the lack of cars on the road!
After watching way too much news and reading articles about this pandemic I am pretty much writing off the Spring riding season. Some of my favorite riding areas have been closed off. Restaurants, motels and campgrounds have been shut down across most of the country. While I have never been hospitalized due to a riding accident I would hate to have that happen at this time. I am limiting my riding to short local rides.
I don't have a crystal ball and haven't stayed at a Holiday Inn Express for a long time but my guess is it will be around June before things start to somewhat return to normal.
The restaurants that have stayed open, have gone to drive-thru only/curb service/pickup only.
All elective surgeries and procedures have been canceled.
Healthy patients are sent home to quarantine. The hardest hit and most deaths, there is an underlining health issue. Lung issues will put you at a higher risk.
There is still a lot of traffic in Jackson County.
I think local rides in Alabama and using a little common sense you should be fine if you are healthy. Stay 6 ft from folks and enjoy your rides.
I would have to make a run for it to get to a "free zone". This is what I am under (Rome, Ga), I guess I could say I was riding around looking for toilet paper. I am doing the MABDR the first of July, I have a reservation one night at the lodge where they filmed Dirty Dancing, I would hate to think I learned "Time of My Life" on the uke for nothing.
All non essential business are required to cease all activities are required to cease.
All travel on foot, bicycle, scooters, motorcycle, automobile or public transit is prohibited.
Definitions and exemptions:
Essential activities: performing task essential to their health and safety (obtaining medical supplies, food, pet supplies, household consumer products, products necessary to maintain safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences.
I've been riding a whole bunch. Racking up miles on GROM and the Super Tenere. There's only so much yard work and house work before you need another distraction and there isn't enough interesting TV. Today I spent most of my ride slow rolling, taking in the emerging Spring greenery. It's quite nice out with the greatly reduced traffic.
I got out ahead of the preparation game, as my doctor appointments were prior to the arrival, but they knew it would make it here and urged me to get ready. Being that I've always lived the "social distancing" lifestyle, things aren't too different on that front.
I'm still working full time (telecommuting) so riding is still a weekend thing. We had our annual "Rally for the Galley" (inspiration for a Pay to Play thread on the old board) scheduled for this Saturday but that has been cancelled.
I have a 3 day weekend in late April and a conference that was postponed so now that Monday holiday is free. I considered first trips along the Natchez Trace or Tail of the Dragon/Cherehola Skyway etc. (first scheduled trip 2 years ago cancelled due to bad weather) but it looks like some of those areas will be closed to visitors.
I may hit a county or two in Alabama for the historical register or just ride somewhere overnight. Of course, I don't have a decent bedroll or pad, nor know if inexpensive campgrounds will be open, but still something to plan)
Is Natchez Trace closed?
One thing I thought of, that I haven't checked out yet, is whether your typical gas station out on your ride is open for people to go inside the store. Such as for water, food, or maybe more importantly, urgent natural callings...
I like the picnic idea someone threw out. That would actually be great! However, I left at 3am Sat morning and rode the 300 miles up to Acworth, Georgia to fetch my wife. The lack of traffic was phenomenal, but oddly chilling. We left Lil Chubb at a friend's place and came back to Atmore in the car. No riding for me until her 2 week quaratine is over and/or I go back with the trailer and pick up Lil Chubb.
But I like that picnic idea!
Slablog aka Phil
Quote from: Hammerdown77 on March 30, 2020, 02:17:58 PM
Is Natchez Trace closed?
Certain comfort stations along the route are closed, but who knows what will be going on at end of April? It's all wait and see.
As most of you probably know, the governor has issued a stay at home order starting at 5 PM tomorrow. I think we may still be legal to ride for this reason:
You may also leave to:
Engage in an outdoor activities, as long as they involve fewer than 10 people that can maintain a 6 foot distance from others.
Just my thoughts on the only thing that really changed. It gave municipalities the right to give you a ticket - if they deem you are not following the rules in
their eyes - which you will have to plead guilty or go to court to fight it( and miss work if you are working), either way you may have to pay court fees even
if it's dismissed. Unless you can get the judge to waive the fees or you can fill out a court fee waiver and see if they accept it. Either way it potentially
opened up a revenue stream for some of these smaller municipalities that like to speed trap for revenue or the rogue power hungry officer to get his kicks.
Not saying it willl happen, but the vagueness of the order leaves it a possibility.
No one is going to stop you while your driving and "ask for your papers".
1. Not enough manpower to stop all the cars in the road...judging by the number of cars out and about, it's hard to tell anything's going on.
2. The guy driving the patrol car is doing to same thing hopefully all y'all are doing...avoiding contact with as many people as possible.
I've been out a few times to the grocery store and Ace Hardware, and each time I pass by a park, etc. there's always a clump of folks (10 - 20) grillin', chillin', and having a good time like it's Labor Day weekend. This order from the Governor is meant to allow LE to tell those folks "How 'bout y'all go the f' home...".
I"m so ready to go on a group ride. To host the MSR. To see our friends. I have don't a little riding with a retired buddy and of course LuAnn. I'm ready to go to Tellico Plains, Mentone/Ft. Payne. My work has changed I may not get to go on a 4 or 5 night trip and may have to stay closer to home and do a 2/3 nite trip. Maybe soon this will pass...
Quote from: klaviator on March 28, 2020, 08:24:16 AM
After watching way too much news and reading articles about this pandemic I am pretty much writing off the Spring riding season. Some of my favorite riding areas have been closed off. Restaurants, motels and campgrounds have been shut down across most of the country. While I have never been hospitalized due to a riding accident I would hate to have that happen at this time. I am limiting my riding to short local rides.
I don't have a crystal ball and haven't stayed at a Holiday Inn Express for a long time but my guess is it will be around June before things start to somewhat return to normal.
I made this post at the end of March. Now its three months later so I thought I'd look back as well as looking forward.
The Pandemic has actually spread more in Alabama but despite this the state has mostly opened back up. I guessed that it would be June before things started getting back to normal but things opened up faster than I expected and riding returned to being almost normal.
In early May I took a trip to Georgia where thing had already opened back up. It was my first time eating IN a restaurant for a long time. Since then I have taken a trip to Tellico Plains and been on a few group rides.
It seems that having a group ride and even eating in a restaurant with the group is not a problem. Is it a good idea? That's hard to say. It should be no problem maintaining 6 feet separation while riding or hanging out outside.......except that people just seem to ignore those 6 foot guidelines. I often found myself backing up from people. Is there any real point in maintaining 6 feet outside when we will be sitting together in a restaurant for lunch?
So I don't have all the answers. I just know that it feels good to be able to get together with friends and go riding.
Let's get a discussion going. Have you been riding? How about group rides or eating in restaurants?
Been riding, in fact was kind of loosely planning a ride this weekend when I realized that my destination eating turn around would be closed. We rode in a cage in the rain to a new place to eat that I hadn't been to but heard about...Campbells Station in TN and wouldn't you know it found a dualsport road way in. I rode it in the Saturn Ion car so no big deal but nice. So I immediately think of stitching together a dualsport ride up there and back. Was kind of working on it this morning when I realized that I remember seeing a sign that they would be closed on the 4th, maybe even the 3rd also. I'll still ride this weekend. Don't know how much and if it'll be posted but I"ll ride somewhere Good Lord willing and the Creeks don't rise.
Maybe pack a picnic lunch and dualsport this weekend so closures for holiday and such aren't a issue.
The Corona has only affected me in the sense of what it has affected that I want to visit or use that is closed or alternatively operating. I don't care for changes because of it, but if I was around someone that was I can respect their views.
I've really enjoyed and needed the two rides Win has put on this last month! Thank you Win. I also made a trip to Little Switzerland back in May for four days of riding with friends. There was a lot of discussion about that meet up on a forum with international members. Many thought it reckless of us. I really thought about it and came to the conclusion that it was safer for me to ride with ten friends that I know and trust than it was for me to go in the grocery store here at home. I carried baby wipes in my trunk and passed them around after each gas stop. We ate most meals on the sidewalk. I'm planning to return to the mountains as soon as this rain cycle breaks up. Not worth the travel effort when its over 50% every day.
I have not eaten inside any restaurants lately, but I like grabbing food to go. There is a picnic table across the street from Chef Troy's, for example.
I hated having to cancel the Tellico trip in April, but I will reschedule it soon (maybe early August?). Hopefully some people will be able to join us for a weekend of dual sporting around Tellico!
After that, I plan to keep my riding in Alabama for a while. As Win said, we don't have enough people leading group rides, and lately all of mine have been out of state, weekend trips, which is a hurdle for some folks.
Quote from: Nice Goat on July 01, 2020, 11:27:09 AM
I have not eaten inside any restaurants lately, but I like grabbing food to go. There is a picnic table across the street from Chef Troy's, for example.
I hated having to cancel the Tellico trip in April, but I will reschedule it soon (maybe early August?). Hopefully some people will be able to join us for a weekend of dual sporting around Tellico!
After that, I plan to keep my riding in Alabama for a while. As Win said, we don't have enough people leading group rides, and lately all of mine have been out of state, weekend trips, which is a hurdle for some folks.
I spent a few days in Tellico early in June. The Tellicafe was open for business as where some other restaurants in town. I plan on going back but hope you don't schedule the first week in August because I'll be in Maggie Valley.
The 5 years prior to this I rode rode between 13,000 and 20,000 miles per year. The first six months of 2020 I rode just under 4,000 miles so I am well below my normal pace. I expect the second half of the year to be better but I still expect to have a below average year at least in the miles ridden department. I was hoping to take a trip or two out west this year but I have given up on that idea. I'm still considering going to Arkansas for a Scooter rally in September. I'm also planning on spending a week in Maggie Valley in August. Those will be my only really big trips for the year unless something unexpected comes up.
I'm also looking at some smaller trips. Dual sporting out of Tellico Plains as well as dual sporting in N. GA. are on my list for the year.
And of course I am looking forward to more local rides. We have had a good turnout on the rides I have been on so far and I only see that getting better.
I am also looking forward to barber but I wonder what that will be like. I'm thinking since its mostly outdoors it should be OK. I just hope we don't have to wear masks while outside.
I have had one of the best Motorcycling years in a long time thanks to COVID-19. Work travel got shut off so I took advantage of it and have done no less than 9 trips to the mountains this spring/summer from 4 to 7 days each.
I also got reacquainted with all the local riding I have been missing because of schedules.