This global pandemic – due to the outburst of SARS-CoV2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) has indeed affected all of us – in some, more severe than others. This virus causes coronavirus disease – COVID19, which was previously known as 2019 novel coronavirus. As of date, in India, about 1.66 lakh people have been tested positive. 71k people have been marked as recovered and 90k people are being treated at various facilities across the country. COVID19 and Rides obviously do not go hand in hand.
Sad thing to note is that many people do not even bother to comply to basic guidelines for prevention of spreading this virus – keeping a safe distance when in a group, not wearing a mask. Few people, just for the sake of wearing it, have a mask which sits just below their nose or keep reusing the same mask to such an extent that the entire mask becomes discolored. Few days back, in a petrol bunk, while fueling my bike, i saw a person who was just using his hand to cover his mouth and nose.
Businesses are affected, lifestyle is affected, thousands are tested positive every day and many die. This small virus which is invisible to the naked eye and measuring between 75 to 160 nanometer has made the entire world to redefine and adapt to a “new normal” life.
Rides pushed to 2021
For us, bike rides have come to a complete stop since March 2020. Due to COVID19, all our rides that was planned this year has been dropped. We had planned on covering the below, to name a few:
- a 4/5 day ride to Kerala.
- a 25 day ride to complete Kanyakumari to Kardung La.
- a 4 day ride to Arakku valley and Lambasinghi.
- covering GQ (Golden Quadilateral: Chennai – Mumbai – Delhi – Kolkatta – Chennai).
- We even had discussions of riding to North East India.
Looking at the increasing cases on a daily basis, I do not know when we will resume riding – will it be later this year? Will it be ok to ride in the next couple of months? Will we only be able to ride freely, without any form of restriction imposed, from next year? Only time can tell.
Maintenance of bikes
In the meantime, once the COVID19 blows over, to go on rides soon, what we can do is to maintain our bikes by following some basic checklist.
- If possible, drain the fuel tank and check the fuel. If you find any brown colored grit, it might mean that the fuel tank has rusted.
- Check air pressure. It is natural for the pressure to come down over time. If the pressure is below the recommended level, inflate them.
- Check for any cracks, bulges
- Check and clean the brakes. It may have collected dust and may not function properly.
- Check the battery. Get it charged if required
- If you are unable to ride the bike for few days, make sure that you at least start the bike and let it idle for few minutes every alternate days.
- Clean the bike with an appropriate liquid (I use a vehicle shampoo) and dry it.
- Keep the bike covered when not in use
- If the bike is not going to be started for a long duration of time, disconnect the battery.
Riding is a stress buster activity. When on the road, you will feel one with the bike and nature. it calms the mind and soul of the rider. The sooner we come out of this pandemic, the sooner we can resume riding. Until such time, #stayhome #staysafe