I ride with a sport touring club and we are questioning what is acceptable too. Many of the guys are retired and some are now on furlough and are discussing riding. Thought being we are distanced and if we stop for lunch, will bring our own food and sit properly separated. However, would the police view riding as breaking our current quarantine rules? What if we limit to 3 or less in a group? Would that make us less likely to bring law enforcement scrutiny?
Since many view riding as recreational, would even a single rider out for a ride be hassled? I know we cannot leave the state any longer...but can we just ride within the state outside of running for groceries or medicines? Many questions.
As for my grocery store, in the regular checkout lines they do a good job of separation. Single line with proper separation and hold line before register areas. They direct you individually to a checkout lane. There is a red line at the end of the belt that the customer is not to cross when unloading. This creates separation from the cashier. When unloaded , you push the car up and wait to be directed to the register. The cashier steps away and you enter your debit card, etc. Supposedly they wipe the belt and screen regularly, but did not appear after each transaction the belt was wet as if from a frozen item - not wiping - when I got there. We are using nitrile gloves, so we toss those once we unload to the car and return the cart. And then hand sanitizer.
The self-service section however is shoulder to should and not sure how frequently they wipe. I did not even stand around to see as we were not about to use that area due to proximity of others.
Originally Posted by Richard230
I got hammered on the RS forum by a couple of UK BMW motorcycle owners for putting my life and the lives of others in danger by riding 30 miles to visit Alice's Restaurant for a takeout breakfast and eating it there with two friends in their parking lot. (It was a good thing that I didn't mention that one of my friends traveled 90 miles to get there.) Anyway, it got me to thinking about the current situation in California - or at least what appears to me to be the situation from listening to the 24/7 virus news.
In California we are being pulled in two directions. One group of regulators and politicians tell us to patronize grocery stores, banks, auto dealerships, repair shops, restaurants that still remain open for takeout meals, and to go to on walks and hikes to get exercise and fresh air. They do not mention a limit to the travel distance to visit these businesses or recreational areas, although as people crowd many of these areas, they do end up with their parking lots and facilities shut down - and then the crowds move to other areas that remain open and overcrowd them.
On the other hand, another group of people, like medical professionals, other politicians (like city mayors) and police chiefs, are demanding that everyone stay home and are threatening to arrest anyone that they perceive are out and about without any good reason.
It is all very confusing without any hard and fast rules, leaving most of the public to pick and choose how they want to live under the threat of catching and transmitting the virus. We are not in a type of lock-down that is anything like what is happening in many UK and South American countries. At least not yet.
So right now, I am doing what the first group recommends, taking precautions by keeping myself isolated from other people by at least the recommended 6 feet. This is really easy for me to do as I live by myself and only travel by motorcycle. But I don't plan to stop traveling anywhere by myself on my motorcycle unless the rules become more specific and the legal consequences more obvious.
After reading Bill's grocery shopping experience above, here is mine: Safeway is advertising that they are providing senior hours before 9am, but that sure wasn't evident when I went shopping there last Friday. It was still every man (or woman) for themselves and the Devil take the hindmost. They also plan to install plastic shields between the clerks and the customers at the registers some day. But I wonder how they plan to keep everyone safe at their 6 self-checkout stations, which look like a good breeding ground for viruses and bacteria?
Last edited by TheMeteor; 03-30-20 at 09:00 PM.
2009 F800ST (Night Blue Metallic) l 1999 SV650 (Naked & Red) l l 2012 G650 GS Sertao l 2012 Can-Am Spyder RT-S (Mrs. Meteor's...)
Regarding Gerry's question about riding together and groups congregating at a stop: I wish I had an answer, because two of my friends want to ride up to Alice's for breakfast when the weather turns nice and I have a bad feeling that they will not be alone. If a bunch of motorcyclists and sport car drivers head up there all at once, there could be trouble that will shut down the fun for the rest of the virus scare, which looks like it could last at least a couple of months.
But my guess is that it just depends upon the cop that sees you and how he is feeling about motorcycle riders that day. Most police around here say that if they see groups of three or more people together, they will just warn them and then send them packing. If they get any lip or resistance then they may cite them. However, the Santa Cruz Chief of Police was on the TV news last night and he was really looking scary. He said that his officers would immediately cite any people in groups who were not performing an essential service.
In my town of Pacifica, other then closing all of the beach parking lots and giving parking tickets for violations I haven't heard of any hassling of beach goers and surfers who park elsewhere and then walk to the beach. Our town seems to be more interested in keeping businesses open, like restaurants, bakeries, and pot shops (we have 6) and the sales taxes that they bring to the city, than they are shutting down businesses or arresting people who are behaving badly.
However, one thing that directly affects BMW riders is that two California rallies held in May are not accepting registrations now. I tried to register for the 49'er Rally last week and a couple of hours later I was informed that my payment had been voided as they were not sure that the rally would be held this year. The Central Cal Spring Fling event that occurs a month from now is also likely canceled. I was also planning to attend the Chief Joseph Rally in Eastern Oregon in June. However, after reading an article in my newspaper today about the virus hitting some of the small towns in Oregon, them going into panic mode and asking everyone to not visit the area, I am getting a bad feeling about that rally, too.
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.
First, I may need a Battery Tender for my car. Drove it once to the grocery store once (20 mins RT) in last 17 days
Second, I have been telling my son for the past few years that I would grow a man-bun. With no barbers...seize the day! LOL
Lastly, given the current business shutdowns, Bob from Bob's BMW hosted a Zoom session yesterday afternoon. Gave a tour from his personal garage and discussed some bikes. Had 90+ people from as far as New Zealand and S America. Pretty creative way to connect with customers during the CV19 shutdowns.
2009 F800ST (Night Blue Metallic) l 1999 SV650 (Naked & Red) l l 2012 G650 GS Sertao l 2012 Can-Am Spyder RT-S (Mrs. Meteor's...)
I haven't written here for days, but I kept on reading your posts, and also links to Guardian and HuffPost.
Seriously, I can't understand you guys: I have no right to tell anyone what he/she should do, or to judge what one does, but I read of people going out, or asking if it's possible to ride somewhere with the bike!?
Here in Italy the curve of new cases is flattening, we're at home for 3 (and some even for 4) weeks, and, even though we're usually "not observant of rules", only few complain about restrictions. How is it possible that at your place people can't understand that this is f...ing dangerous?! You could wear gloves, wipe surfaces and wear face masks, that's good, but the best thing we all can/must do is "stay at home" and avoid damn bike (sadly); in case of an accident, hospitals aren't nowadays the best places to stay at.
What if you come back home with a virus as unexpected guest? What if you infect some of your relatives, or friends? Please guys, stay home, stay safe and when all this will be at an end, we'll ride again our bikes and we'll go back to pubs.
By the way, when all this started, we decided to close our office, even before the government told us to do so; whit this I mean don't wait your president to tell you what to do: you already know what to do.
Forgive me if I've been too rough, offensive or assertive, I don't want to annoy anyone, but you're only starting to see the beginning of the spread, and I'm afraid that this will not last only a couple of weeks .
As of Mon, 1st Feb 2016- ;
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, Today is a gift (that's why it's called "the present")
#1 tip I ride by: Ride as though you're invisible, not invincible
Bikes so far: Honda CB250-Traded, Suzuki GS500F-Traded, '07 F800ST Matt Graphitan-Deceased, '10 F800ST Night Blue-sold, at present bikeless
“The receptivity of the masses is very limited, their intelligence is small, but their power of forgetting is enormous. In consequence of these facts, all effective propaganda must be limited to a very few points and must harp on these in slogans until the last member of the public understands what you want him to understand by your slogan.” ― Adolf Hitler
Originally Posted by Gunther
I haven't written here for days, but I kept on reading your posts, and also links to Guardian and HuffPost.
Seriously, I can't understand you guys: I have no right to tell anyone what he/she should do, or to judge what one does, but I read of people going out, or asking if it's possible to ride somewhere with the bike!?
Here in Italy the curve of new cases is flattening, we're at home for 3 (and some even for 4) weeks, and, even though we're usually "not observant of rules", only few complain about restrictions. How is it possible that at your place people can't understand that this is f...ing dangerous?! You could wear gloves, wipe surfaces and wear face masks, that's good, but the best thing we all can/must do is "stay at home" and avoid damn bike (sadly); in case of an accident, hospitals aren't nowadays the best places to stay at.
What if you come back home with a virus as unexpected guest? What if you infect some of your relatives, or friends? Please guys, stay home, stay safe and when all this will be at an end, we'll ride again our bikes and we'll go back to pubs.
By the way, when all this started, we decided to close our office, even before the government told us to do so; whit this I mean don't wait your president to tell you what to do: you already know what to do.
Forgive me if I've been too rough, offensive or assertive, I don't want to annoy anyone, but you're only starting to see the beginning of the spread, and I'm afraid that this will not last only a couple of weeks .
BMW F800S…….
There is no words to adequately describe the batshit crazies....
I haven't written here for days, but I kept on reading your posts, and also links to Guardian and HuffPost.
Seriously, I can't understand you guys: I have no right to tell anyone what he/she should do, or to judge what one does, but I read of people going out, or asking if it's possible to ride somewhere with the bike!?
Here in Italy the curve of new cases is flattening, we're at home for 3 (and some even for 4) weeks, and, even though we're usually "not observant of rules", only few complain about restrictions. How is it possible that at your place people can't understand that this is f...ing dangerous?! You could wear gloves, wipe surfaces and wear face masks, that's good, but the best thing we all can/must do is "stay at home" and avoid damn bike (sadly); in case of an accident, hospitals aren't nowadays the best places to stay at.
What if you come back home with a virus as unexpected guest? What if you infect some of your relatives, or friends? Please guys, stay home, stay safe and when all this will be at an end, we'll ride again our bikes and we'll go back to pubs.
By the way, when all this started, we decided to close our office, even before the government told us to do so; whit this I mean don't wait your president to tell you what to do: you already know what to do.
Forgive me if I've been too rough, offensive or assertive, I don't want to annoy anyone, but you're only starting to see the beginning of the spread, and I'm afraid that this will not last only a couple of weeks .
This is the land of the free. We can do anything we want and screw everyone else. After all, I believe this is where the Darwin Awards originated.
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.
At least 23 sailors aboard the Navy aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt have become infected by the novel coronavirus, according to two U.S. officials. The spike in the number of cases from three earlier this week is leading the Navy to order the ship to stop in Guam, so all 5,000 sailors aboard can be tested for exposure to the virus.
BMW F800S…….
There is no words to adequately describe the batshit crazies....
And in the SF Bay Area, the latest news this morning is that the politicians are demanding that all nonessential construction be shut down. What they haven't said is why this is necessary and what construction is nonessential and what isn't? They seem to be just throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks.
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.
If you have the time, check out this 35-minute video blog by a Dutch girl who is riding around South America on a Royal Enfield Himalayan and got stuck in a little town in Peru when the virus scare hit. Here is the link to her 14-day diary about what it is like to be the only foreigner in a small town in Peru, while everyone in town is scared that, being European, she might she might bring the virus to the town. Really, scary. As the video ends, she is attempting to get to Lima while hauling her motorcycle in a private pickup truck as the military has the entire country locked down. Hopefully her next video will show that she made it to safety. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5a7...ature=youtu.be
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.
"According to an unclassified briefing, the Army actually warned Trump on February 3rd that the death toll in the United States from Covid 19 could surpass 150,000. In other words, Trump has now known for 2 months that this was a serious problem and would cost well over 100,000 lives, but he did virtually nothing and continued holding rallies during the early days after this warning." -TYT
BMW F800S…….
There is no words to adequately describe the batshit crazies....
Aus is predicting a peak in possible July or later at the moment.
As of Mon, 1st Feb 2016- ;
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, Today is a gift (that's why it's called "the present")
#1 tip I ride by: Ride as though you're invisible, not invincible
Bikes so far: Honda CB250-Traded, Suzuki GS500F-Traded, '07 F800ST Matt Graphitan-Deceased, '10 F800ST Night Blue-sold, at present bikeless
In the UK lock down began on the 24rd March, prior to that schools had been closed (although open for children of key workers) and there was a request not to gather socially, travel only if needed, self isolate if displaying symptoms and work form home if you can; all of which was widely ignored. The lock down address from Boris Johnson still felt more like a please behave rather than you must adhere to the rules but with that came a change in the law which has meant the police can give fines for transgressions. Last I read they have issued over 140 fines and at least one case of a woman shopping for "Non essential" items awaiting a court summons. Generally we are allowed out for the following.
Essential shopping. (Non essential shops are closed but oddly enough bicycle shops are in the essential list? Off licenses (liquor stores) were initially not but have been added since)
Travel to work if you can't work from home.
Medical reasons.
To care for elderly, vulnerable person.
Once a day for exercise. (Although there appears to be some ambiguity in the wording. In Wales it's quite clear you can go out to get some exercise once during the day, the rest of the UK looks to have slightly different wording that could be interpreted that you can go out as many times as you like as long as it's to take the same form of exercise I'm sure this will be corrected before to long.
So absolutely no jollies on a motorbike just for the enjoyment.
The first alarm bell for me that this was not "flu like" was an early report from Italy on the number of health workers who had died from Covid 19 (currently 77 I believe), somebody working front-line against this epidemic did not fit my stereotypical view of a person who would succumb to this virus, it was the first time I though that as a middle aged guy with no underlying health conditions and took care of himself it could prove fatal to me (and sadly in the UK we have had two nurses confirmed to have died one 36 the other 39). Up until that point I was following the instructions but more out of concern form my elderly neighbours rather than out of concern for my own health.
I have been genuinely staggered as the events in Italy, Spain and France have unfolded. These are industrial nations with well established health care systems (France especially I've know UK citizens that have used French health care and all say it's head and shoulders above the UK's NHS) and yet this pandemic is sweeping through unstoppable despite the lock down measures implemented.
I read something very apt with regards "modeling" the pandemic's spread through a population and the vast number of variables that need to be applied to get an accurate model. It ended with the thought that modeling this pandemic and responding based on the resultant model was a bit like being in the path of an avalanche and deciding to do a bit of modeling on the results of the avalanche hitting you before making a decision as to whether to get out of the way or not. The avalanche is ripping it's way through Italy and Spain we can see what it does we needed to take action ASAP.
Last edited by MGD109; 04-04-20 at 03:17 PM.
In the Garage 2013 BMW F800 GT,1994 BMW R80 RT,1986 BMW R80 GS,1999 Yamaha SR125
Sorley missed Honda TLR200
Enjoy the ride
I am a very unemotional person and not much shakes me up. However, I will admit that being hit over the head 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by the news media interviewing "experts" and health care professors regarding the virus; several hours each day of press conferences by the President, Governors, county officials and city mayors, many of whom do not seem to be on the same page (see Bill's cartoon, above) and appear to be trolling for money from each layer of government above them; and the constant spew of new virus and death numbers in various cities, counties, states and countries around the world, is really starting to get to me. What really sent me over the edge was an opinion by a University medical professor who was interviewed yesterday that the virus regulations and lock-down requirements would likely need to last for another five months.
Now I ask you, how long can the general public hang in there under those sort of pressures before they start to rebel, start to crack, and things start to go crazy? If it is starting to affect me, how is it affecting the vast majority of the public who are more sensitive than I am and who have to worry about the people in their homes and their families elsewhere that they can not visit or assist?
Right now my neighborhood is quiet, everyone is staying inside except to walk their dogs and to drive to buy another cart load of groceries. But how long can it last?
I just heard that the Philippians have been locked down for the past three weeks (that was news to me, as there is not much reporting around here regarding the "third world" anymore). In that country many poor people are going hungry and running here and there in groups looking for food handouts. They say starving is worse than the risk of getting the virus, which has lead to the President of the Philippines recommending that the police just shoot anyone not following the rules. (Gee, what a fun guy. Apparently, there is a President worse than Trump. )
It sounds like the tip of the iceberg right now and it could start getting a lot worse as our societies and economies start to break down. Scary times, which makes me want to stick my head in a hole in the ground and not want to hear anymore.
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.
I was with you Richard until "there is a president worse than trump" On a serious note, I agree with a lot of what you said. All we can control is what we do. Hang in there, you're one of the few in this forum who still talks to me.
2013 F800GT Graphite Metallic-Gone to a new home
Not a 2nd childhood, still in the 1st
I was with you Richard until "there is a president worse than trump" On a serious note, I agree with a lot of what you said. All we can control is what we do. Hang in there, you're one of the few in this forum who still talks to me.
Bill, i still talk to you!
In Aus, we are basically in lock-down and fines have been issued for not maintaining social distancing and not having an appropriate reason for being outside, with over 150 hefty fines being issued so far. A couple of cases being a person eating a kebab on a park bench, who had been asked twice to move on by police, and a brothel that was still operating.
As of Mon, 1st Feb 2016- ;
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, Today is a gift (that's why it's called "the present")
#1 tip I ride by: Ride as though you're invisible, not invincible
Bikes so far: Honda CB250-Traded, Suzuki GS500F-Traded, '07 F800ST Matt Graphitan-Deceased, '10 F800ST Night Blue-sold, at present bikeless
Bill, i still talk to you!
In Aus, we are basically in lock-down and fines have been issued for not maintaining social distancing and not having an appropriate reason for being outside, with over 150 hefty fines being issued so far. A couple of cases being a person eating a kebab on a park bench, who had been asked twice to move on by police, and a brothel that was still operating.
Steve I value your online friendship and your input to the forum. A brothel that's still operating? That gives new meaning to the term "social distancing"
2013 F800GT Graphite Metallic-Gone to a new home
Not a 2nd childhood, still in the 1st
Originally Posted by Roadpizza
F800Riders.org Supporter
TheMeteor liked this post
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On a serious note, I agree with a lot of what you said. All we can control is what we do. Hang in there, you're one of the few in this forum who still talks to me.
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