Day R4: 20km Never Felt So Far

June 4, 2022

The feeling of getting out of lockdown felt tenuous, not certain. The news reported several local cases 'in society' which we were now technically part of again. But they were reverting back to the early March tactics of quarantining close and secondary contacts as well as sealing off partial areas. Was this whole thing going to repeat again? And if so, what was the point of the past 60-day lockdown? All this was happening on only the first few days of 'freedom'.

At our compound, the gates were still closed and you had to check in and out with the guards by scanning the 'location code'. As well the software to register my covid tests was not working. Many people would question why my tests weren't updated when in fact they were. I didn't feel safe in this compound. Now that's an understatement of the century.

My wife and decided to visit her parent's place in the suburbs. We took a taxi but I was blown away at how far this short 20km distance was. It might as well have been in another province. This underscores the separation that the lockdown had done, as many people had not seen their relatives for over two months.

I brought my passport and valuables with me in case they would lock the downtown compound again. You just never know.

Besides this, the Montague folding bike had been stored here since pre-lockdown and it needed some fixing up.

The Montague needed a lot of work done. Not ridden since February

I fixed up the bike reasonably well by myself but it'll need to get taken to the shop for more repairs. It was time for a short 20km tootle around the suburban neighborhoods.

Time for a much needed coffee. International chains just reopened today

Delivery packages for an absolutely massive compound. I could only imagine what the logistics were like at the height of the food shortages

Now that's a compound! 30+ blocks, estimate over 5000 people living there. During lockdown if you were in 'control area' or zoo animal status, you could plan a network of compound bike rides that span many kilometers. But there would be new covid cases every day and you'd likely be confined to your apartment anyway.

The weather was perfect for this ride. This was technically a holiday so more people were getting out and commerce was notably increasing around the area. The large Starbucks stop was heavenly with the hazelnut latte. The way it works as always, you need to scan the location code to enter the premises and then it's still takeout only.

The bike riding felt effortless and while I could easily crack way more than 20km I wanted to ease into it slowly.

Don't look at me, you've got testing to do

Construction sites were always a hotbed of covid cases. Many dorms were boarded up

Bread in ample supply. What a sight! One slice of this (not a loaf) sold as much as $20 at the worst of the food shortages. It's a nightmare I never want to see again

Friends even told me I'd be crazy not to stock up on bread now while it's available again. They are all sounding the alarm for an imminent return to lockdown. It's a terrible way to think like this but who can blame them. It's PTSD mentality we're all suffering from now.

For those expats who are making an immediate break from China, my advice is get to the airport now while you still can.

Today's ride: 20 km (12 miles)
Total: 276 km (171 miles)

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