Changing course after face-off with the coronavirus

Well, I spent most of May at home, knocked down by the coronavirus. Somehow, my partner Meenal came through this unscathed, showing no symptoms, and forever by my side.

We have spent the last 3 weeks re-starting our bicycle business, and have seen an influx of jobs — repairs from customers old and new. So much so that most of my days are spent on the phone, and coordinating bikes coming in and leaving our shop — washing each one with soap water before the staff touches them.

Somehow, the number of bikes that await servicing continues to grow, while my body is screaming to slow down, to work less, to pay more attention to the uprisings against injustice — both at home and around the world.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 01: Protestors race up a hill after being shot by tear gas after a march through Center City on June 1, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Demonstrations have erupted all across the country in response to George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, Minnesota while in police custody a week ago. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)

Coming from a country that had a major revolution in 1979, I sense many changes coming. Both Meenal and I need to be prepared to embrace these changes. And have decided we can no longer maintain regular business hours nor keep a retail operation going.

We will continue to serve our customers who have placed their trust in us these past 11 years — and limit our services to our current customer base.

One idea we are considering is mobile bicycle repair — offering pickup and delivery options and/or on-site service. Stay tuned!

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