It's here. coronavirus went from being something that was happening on another continent to a pandemic that is affecting everyone, from global giants and governments through to the small guy in his workshop (waves hi to you all from said workshop).
In reality, we are very fortunate. We built the workshop on the grounds of our house and we are able to keep working as normal, but not everyone is as lucky. There are local bike shops out there having to close for self-isolation and putting the livelihoods of many people in serious jeopardy and it's not cool. So we have one message for you all and we are going to put it in a big type size and add in a swear to show we are serious...
WHILE ALL THIS SHIT IS HAPPENING, HOW ABOUT STEPPING AWAY FROM WIGGLE FOR A WHILE, WHO WILL GET A TAX BREAK TO COVER ANY AND ALL STAFF SICKNESS, AND BUY FROM AN INDEPENDENT. YES, THEY ARE USUALLY A BIT MORE EXPENSIVE, BUT YOU'LL BE SUPPORTING SOMEONE'S ENTIRE LIFE. THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO BE A SWELL FUCKING PERSON, RATHER THAN JUST PRETENDING TO BE ON YOUR SUNDAY RIDE WHEN YOU BUY THE COFFEES.
We're talking to everyone here. There's probably a shop down the road that would be incredibly grateful for any support you can give them, so buy an inner tube. treat yourself to a bell or get that service booked in.
Here in Norfolk, we have a few great shops. Black Bikes, out in Sheringham, is excellent and run by Greg, one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. Smile Bikes has everything any e-bike customer could dream of, plus a brilliant cafe and vegan-friendly snacks too. These are just two options that would love your custom right now, but there are plenty more throughout the country...hi guys at Seabass Cycles, we see you!
To all of our customers, we want to let you know that it is business as usual here at August HQ. Your frames are being built, your racks are causing a few swear words and our new e-Bullitt is taking up a shit-ton of room in our home office, because we don't have space elsewhere due to getting on with all your rad orders. If you've booked a build slot with us, we are going to honour it and should the worst happen, we'll let you know, only if it looks as though we are going to be laid up temporarily. Between us, we've survived pulmonary embolisms, childbirth, the too-soon death of a loved one and plenty of trips to A&E for bloody accidents, so we are going to try and get through this as unscathed as possible.
Hug everyone in your house a little tighter, keep in touch with everyone in the industry that you've forged friendships with and keep supporting independents. But most of all... STOP FUCKING STOCKPILING BOG ROLL. WE ALL NEED IT!
The week in stats:
Bags of pasta bought: NONE
Toilet rolls stashed: NONE
Eye-rolls at dickheads in Sainsbury's
Thoughts about at-risk friends and family: All of them
Cover image courtesy of here.
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