RetroTours Newsletter. SPRING, 2020

It looks like winter is done for. Spring is surely here now.

Unfortunately, so is a new Corona virus.

It is amazing how such a tiny life form can have such a profound effect on the supposedly most highly evolved of all species. I believe that humanity’s reaction: our attempts to slow down the inevitable spread of this virus, may be a useful preparation for a future attack from a much more deadly virus.

The mortality rate from this new virus appears to be around 3 or 4%. The Ebola virus death rate is more like 50-70%. At some point in the future a new deadly virus will arise, and Corona is currently teaching us how to slow down and otherwise deal with such a threat. Next time, our reaction will be quicker and more decisive. Practice makes perfect. Optimistically, mankind will survive.

So here we are, holed up at home, socially distanced. Sporting events have been cancelled. Large social gatherings are strictly verboten. Restaurants and movie theatres are empty. Besides the obvious physical effects upon those who are infected, this situation has economic effects that are obvious, and emotional and mental effects that are less obvious perhaps, but still of consequence. The craziest thing is that it might just be a relief to hear something on the news besides politics, but we must not let this depressing state of affairs rule our lives. What to do, what to do?

Take positive steps now to maintain your emotional well-being: PLAN TO RIDE!

I was thinking that the full-face helmet may be the ultimate face mask. Wearing a full-face helmet greatly reduces face touching. Riding along at 50 mph, even in a group of other riders, there is little chance of sharing droplets should someone, God forbid, cough or sneeze. Amazon and Walmart may be out of face masks, but there are still plenty of helmets to go around for those who choose to ride. Riding can be a way to get out of the house safely and engage in a sporting activity while minimizing exposure. Furthermore, of course, riding is FUN.

The 2020 RetroTours schedule is currently posted at www.retrotours.com . At this point, one ride is sold out and reservations have been made for most of the other rides. We intend to run our rides, with sensible precautions, regardless of the Corona pandemic. Furthermore, we can schedule a ride on the day(s) you choose, and tailor the ride to your personal desires.

To entice you a bit more, we have added a machine to the fleet, rounding it out to 25 classic motorcycles, all waiting for you to ride. I had the opportunity to resurrect a mid-70’s Triumph triple recently. Even with its British design anachronisms, I was rather taken with the sensory texture of the three-cylinder engine. When a 1977 Yamaha XS750 triple found me, I knew that the combination of Japanese technology and 3-cylinder physicality would make a perfect addition to the RetroTours fleet. The re-commissioning cost far more than the machine is worth, but then again, it’s not about the money, is it. The result was worth the effort, and this charismatic machine will feature on several rides in 2020. You should give it a whirl. Email or call; let’s make a ride plan for you.

RIDE A PIECE OF THE PAST ON THE PATH LESS TAKEN!

             

JUST DO IT.      CHEERS!          joel @ retrotours!