Editorial

www.oldbikemart.co.uk

I’m not the sort of person to join in with tittle-tattle, nor to invoke scaremongering or panic among the general public, but despite the fact that the media hype surrounding the recent coronavirus scare has generated the same kind of panic in the general populace that could only otherwise have been brought about by alien invasion or the zombie apocalypse, it most certainly does not mean that we should ignore it entirely. Although we also shouldn’t think that it will affect each and every minute of our far-tooshort lives either.

While, at the time of writing, the situation is changing hourly, with events being cancelled or postponed and personal travel highly frowned upon, we shouldn’t fall into the trap of assuming that absolutely nothing will be happening this year and resign ourselves to the fact that we’ll all be housebound for the entirety of 2020, selfisolating until the storm blows over, or until no one is left but the ultra-rich elite.

The fact is that Covid-19 (and can anyone tell me what happened to the first 18 Covids?) has brought uncertain future plans with regards to travel – large public meetings have already been banned, and this virus has already played merry hell with shows and race gatherings. And, as of the news just 20 minutes ago, only essential travel is suggested, although there’s no talk of this being legally binding. And don’t forget that essential travel – as well as that for leisure – can be undertaken on a motorcycle…

Self-isolation is already in play for many of us anyway, as we squirrel ourselves away in sheds, garages and lock-ups throughout the land, fettling our rides ready for the forthcoming glorious spring weather. And it could be argued that our favoured method of transport is also self-isolation – given that even if we travel with a pillion we have face and hand coverings and are out and about in the open air and not trapped within an airless box with dozens of other potential Typhoid Marys or Malcolms. Motorcycle clothing is the closest that everyday clothing comes to haz-mat suits, so if you do happen to venture out, you’ll probably be safer than any other member of public who is travelling, particularly anyone who’s exposed to the horror of public transport! As you’ll see from the image here, I’m ensuring that I’m wearing face protection, and gloves, at all times.

For now, just remember that it is impossible to catch coronavirus from reading classic motorcycle magazines and periodicals such as OBM, or from old motorcycles themselves. Also, riding a bike on the highways and byways of our green and pleasant land is not only an invigorating experience that is good for soul, body and mind, but will neither increase the risk of exposure to undesirable bugs and nasties, nor require the use of unavailable consumables such as pasta and toilet paper. There’s also the very valid point that has become clear, over the last couple of days at least (by the time you read this it will either be far more obvious, or clear that it was all just a flash-in-the-pan) - the virus will kill businesses as well as people. Yet it could actually be something of a bonus for motorcycling. After all, who would wish to travel on a cramped bus, or shoulderto-shoulder on a tube in London, or even in the confined space of a car, when you could be out in the fresh air and still have the protection of motorcycle clothing? Naturally, this will most benefit the modern motorcycle market, yet that will always have a filter-down effect to the classic segment. If we can take one silver lining from this global pandemic cloud, then let it be that it can bring more people to motorcycling. (Although, in my recent experience, it has also made people more socially minded, and kinder too. Whether this lasts remains to be seen…)

It’s perhaps not necessary for me to say, but bear in mind that all of the events that are listed in the News pages or Diary Dates sections of

Old Bike Mart (or, for that matter, any other publication) will undoubtedly suffer from, at least, a delay, and more likely a cancellation. However, don’t write off 2020 just yet, there’s still time…

Of course, this could be the perfect time to continue the shed-dwelling self-isolation with an increasing focus on bike restoration and maintenance. Aside from keeping you away from the toxic virus-laden streets, this will also help to support the traders that specialise in classic motorcycles, many of whom are self-employed and/or sole traders, who are vitally in need of your support at a time that they can’t exhibit at shows. And while ‘non-essential’ shops have been asked to close, many traders focusing on supporting the classic bike industry have websites and mail-order facilities, which are still open for business. By supporting them we can ensure that – once this has all blown over – we’ll still have the incredible classic bike scene that so much of the rest of the world is jealous of.

We also need to be very aware that a great part of the OBM readership is within the more senior sector of the motorcycling public, and although governmental advice is to self-isolate, that doesn’t mean that we can’t keep an eye on each other, and check that we’re all doing well and aren’t in need of any provisions or aid. Many of us do this anyway – checking up on our mates at regular intervals – but the current scenario dictates that we do it a little more often. This doesn’t mean that we have to meet each other face to face – social media is a boon at this time, and there’s still the oldfashioned telephone!

Enjoy the issue, and please stay safe,