JungleBiker

@ BritManToo ... I just saw photos of your two bikes in another thread. In the case of your MTB-style bike, it looks like your handlebars are a lot higher than your saddle putting you in an upright position with a lot of weight on your bum. In this case you probably don't need a longer stem but instead you can lower the stem to put more weight on your arms. This video shows you what to do (in case you don't already know):

 

 

   

On 5/5/2020 at 12:20 PM, SteveK said:

If you are still using the original Giant saddle, I'm not surprised, they are built to meet a price point. There are some things you can do though:

 

1. Replace your seat post with a carbon one. Carbon fibre absorbs vibrations better and will probably save you 100-150g on your bike. Yours takes the same diameter post as mine, 30.8mm. They don't cost a fortune: https://www.lazada.co.th/products/oem-ultra-light-connector-seatpost-rod-254-272-308-316-i661800706-s1290622615.html?spm=a2o4m.searchlist.list.45.6a1770ca9BCgkR&search=1

 

2. Get a saddle with an ergonomic groove down the middle, takes the pressure off the ballsack and soft tissues: https://www.lazada.co.th/products/rockbros-road-mountain-mtb-gel-comfort-saddle-bike-bicycle-cycling-seat-cushion-pad-black-i337528385-s653210674.html?spm=a2o4m.searchlist.list.5.368321dcLSj2o7&search=1

 

3. Use cycling shorts with a padded insert, makes a huge difference. Personally I don't want to wear lycra so you can buy padded underwear: https://www.lazada.co.th/products/new-bike-cycling-bicycle-short-pant-underwear-short-3d-gel-pad-7-layers-sports-gym-i254073649-s392186522.html?spm=a2o4m.searchlist.list.10.36706662rjhgyj&search=1

 

4. Try and take the weight off your backside during the ride by putting more of your weight on the pedals, or standing up out of the saddle from time to time.

 

5. Apply some 1% hydrocortisone ointment to your anus before riding to prevent chafing and inflammation.

 

6. Play with the position of your saddle in terms of moving it forwards or backwards and the tilt angle (slightly up, down or level). 

 

7. Considering changing your stem for a longer one to put your hands further forwards, thereby making you lean forwards and sitting less upright on the saddle. This should put more weight on your hands/wrists/arms and less weight on your bum.

 

But whenever you make these kinds of adjustments to your position, you may find something else hurts (e.g. wrists or lower back), so you will need to give your body time to adapt. If it doesn't adapt then try another change. It is also better to make adjustments gradually, in small increments.  

 

Regarding Steve's suggestion for "1% hydrocortisone ointment": Sometimes the area around my anus gets sore if my cycling shorts were not fully dried after washing and then I ride along a bumpy track. In that case, after the ride and a shower, I prefer to apply an antiseptic cream. Usually the soreness has gone before my next ride but just to make sure I may apply some more antiseptic cream before the next ride.    

 

 

 

On 5/9/2020 at 12:57 AM, kingofthemountain said:

Intersting theory

you only forget one element, but an essential one

in these countries live thousands of 

expats, workers, family members and so on

if you was right, these communities should be heavily impacted

at least in the areas where they are in contact with tourists from infected countries

but they are not, so it's not the genetic, probably more the climate. it seems the virus doesn't

like heat, sun and humidity

 

Your expat point is a fair one and I don't have the answer. I am only making a proposition that seems to have been overlooked/ignored by the authorities. It may be wrong. But keep in mind that even in North America and Europe, the vast majority of people have not yet been infected and most of those who have been infected do not show any symptoms. And on top of that, the recent Stanford study in Santa Clara County, California, "estimated that the true "infection fatality rate" of coronavirus — or the number of infected people who die from the disease — is between 0.12% and 0.2%". (https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-antibodies-widespread-in-santa-clara.html) Then keep in mind, that the local population around here could provide herd immunity for the expats. It is also possible, that due to genetic factors, they do not spread the virus as effectively as caucasians do. Anyway, I hope eventually we will all find out what is really going on with this virus.   

40 minutes ago, lumply said:

Really surprised that none of the so called experts here appear not to have considered genetics

 

Well I just read through this thread from page 1 to this page (8) to see if anybody had mentioned genetics and you were the only one. You beat me to it - well done Lumply!  

 

To me it is pretty obvious that it is genetics. 

 

First of all, look at these numbers: 

 

Thailand pop 70 m covid-19 deaths 55

Laos pop 7.2 m deaths 0

Vietnam pop 97 m deaths 0

Cambodia 17 m deaths 0

Myanmar 54 m deaths 6

Yunnan 49 m deaths 2

Guanxi 48 m deaths 2

Guangdong 113 m deaths 8

Hong Kong 7.5 m deaths 4

Guizhou 35 m deaths 2

And there are some others I could add. 

 

Basically, the people in the countries and Chinese provinces listed above are "bullet-proof" to covid-19.

 

You would be crazy to suggest that the low death rates have anything to do with diet, washing hands, masks, social distancing, lockdowns, etc, blah, blah, blah. 

 

It is, I believe, because of genetics.

 

Unlike the people in North America and Europe, the people in this area have been living alongside hundreds of species of bats carrying hundreds (or thousands?) of types of coronavirus for tens of thousands of years. Darwin's law of natural selection means that most people who can't cope very well with being infected with a coronavirus were removed from the local gene pool long ago. 

 

For some science to back me up, look at this paper from India: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.05.20054627v2.full.pdf

 

Note: "...results shine light on ancestry driven genetic factors underlying variabilities in COVID-19 infection and manifestation" 

 

Another paper, while about leprosy, not covid-19, also gives an insight into the science that I am talking about: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170516121714.htm 

 

This one is about zika virus: https://qz.com/782010/are-asians-immune-to-zika-scientists-say-a-lack-of-outbreaks-means-they-may-be/ 

 

And there are other papers on the web that provide evidence to suggest that genetics can explain the low death rates in this part of the world. 

 

And if this is the case, then it means the lockdowns have been for nothing! They have been a major clusterf**k. 

 

Sheeple led by sheeple? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

People like this spoil the good reputation of Chula.

2 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

“As a rough rule of thumb if you get the virus your chance of dying is roughly about the same as you would have had this year anyway, and if you’re not worried about dying this year you shouldn’t be so worried about getting the virus.”

 

That is indeed a very rough guide.

 

If we take the suggestion that the probability of death once afflicted with the disease is equal to the probability of dying in the year*, then the statement “if you get the virus your chance of dying is roughly about the same as you would have had this year anyway” is incorrect by a factor of approaching 2.

 

Clearly an infected person has the probability of dying from the disease plus the probability of dying in the year.

 

*The probability of dying in the year is the sum of every single one of the other risks you, or importantly your child, spouse, parent face.

 

 

“He said it was sensible for the old and vulnerable to protect themselves but that the risks were significantly lower for younger people.”

 

Perhaps, if you don’t believe there is no interaction, and hence infection path, between the young/strong and the old/vulnerable.

 

I would suggest the learned statistician invites a few sociologists, welfare specialists and ‘Public Behavior’ psychologists to help him add context to his analysis.

 

Ah, but you can only die once. Not twice. 

 

 

16 hours ago, Ireland32 said:

She’s a Lunatic

 

Why do you say that?

On 4/11/2020 at 10:45 AM, kurtcap said:

Assuming? Are you unaware of the amount of accidents on thailands roads?

 

No, I am not unaware. But you know very well that we are not talking about road accidents in general, we are talking about cycling accidents versus accidents that happen while at home. 

 

So it seems you aren't provide any evidence to back up your assumption? 

 

 

I read somewhere not long ago that the global trend is moving away from 27.5ers. 

29ers are preferred. 

Keep in mind that the covid-19 test gives a false negative about 30% of the time! 

17 hours ago, kurtcap said:

Essential travel only is the request pretty much worldwide, i sincerely hope you or a loved one does not have an accident to find that the necessary health staff to take care of them are not in isolation due to a selfish act from another who chooses this request does not apply to them.

 

You seem to be assuming that someone is more likely to have an accident while out cycling than while staying at home. Do you have any evidence to support that assumption? 

 

 

6 hours ago, VYCM said:

 

 I find it strange how the Thais have this safety obsession of wearing a face mask for well-being but refuse to wear a helmet when riding.

Yesterday I saw these 2 idiots without helmets racing down the Sukhumvit on their load, un-roadworthy, modified scooters travelling around 100km/hr in and out of traffic, wearing their face mask.

 

But look how many people choose to smoke and/or drink = 2 of the biggest killers in the world! Madness or what? 

 

Tobacco 8 million deaths per year https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tobacco 

Alcohol 3 million deaths per year  https://www.who.int/health-topics/alcohol 

 

21 hours ago, kekalot said:

 

written poorly, I assume but 70 to 90 celcius? between 158 to 194 Fahrenheit

 

Estimated Times/Temperatures Causing a Full Thickness 3rd degree burn in Adults

 

<160°F     1 second
<149°F     2 seconds

 

good times.

 

While "between... to" may be common I think you will find that "between... and" is correct. 

 

And Fahrenheit is very archaic. Isn't it about time American's caught up with the rest of the world?

3 hours ago, Almer said:

Are we saying SARS just disappeared ?

https://www.who.int/ith/diseases/sars/en/

 

2 hours ago, Logosone said:

Never ever happened in my life that someone sneezes in my face.

 

EVER!

 

What nonsense.

 

Regardless of your opinion, https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3078407/coronavirus-world-health-organisation-reverses-course-now-supports wearing face masks in public

4 hours ago, jojothai said:

 

The virus is very likely here to stay for a long time until there is a vaccine.

 

 

Besides vaccines, there is another way to reduce deaths...

 

Intravenous hyperimmune globulin injections from the blood of recovered persons, and monoclonal antibodies, look like they will be very effective and will be available very soon (JAMA, published online March 27, 2020). Blood from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 contains IgG and IgM antibodies that can kill the virus (JAMA editorial, March 27, 2020) Blood tests will soon be approved to see if a person has been infected with COVID-19 and is therefore now immune. These people may then be able to treat people who are currently infected, and to donate blood with the antibodies that could be helpful in treating COVID-19 patients.

 

Source - newsletter from DrMirkin.com 

 

 

1 hour ago, Pravda said:

Oh, wait.... I forgot where I am. This is the same crowd that claims you can't get HIV from having sex with a woman.

You can't if the woman is not HIV positive or if you don't exchange bodily fluids. 

15 hours ago, tomster said:

We also still don't see Covid deaths listed alongside deaths of for viral pneumonia (VP) per country, to give them context. I understand that a high viral load of Covid could kill you in a few different ways, but most do check out with VP present so it's kinda borderline crazy to shut the World economy down without releasing these figures.

 

For example:

 

https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/5351640/pneumonia-deadly-infection-flu-trigger/

 

2018 saw 30,000 in the UK die of VP in that year. Where are we now with total deaths from VP in the UK? Why are these figures not being made available as a matter of utmost emergency?

 

So many basic questions remain unanswered, it's like nobody knows what they are doing and just shut the economy down on a whim based on one set of figures from a team  from Imperial Collage London that now looks pretty shaky, to put it mildly.

 

 

Here are some interesting stats from Europe that show total deaths for the past 4 years. https://www.euromomo.eu/index.html

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, BKKBike09 said:

 

Also, I like beer, and I've no plan to stop drinking it yet.  

 

 

https://www.drmirkin.com/health/morehealth/alcohol-and-cancer-risk.html 

Quotes from the first post:

 

"Average age at admission > around 60 for both groups"

"BMI greater than 25 > Covid 70%; non-Covid 60%"

"Being clinically overweight is also more of a risk factor (good luck in the USA)."

 

But surely you have to look at the whole population for comparison? According to this data... https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn03336/ (which is for England 2017), for the age group 55 - 64 (trying to match the average age at admission of around 60), 73% were overweight or obese (= to BMI over 25) - this is for men and women but men are more likely to be overweight than women. So if the covid-19 cases include more men than women, yet "only" 70% have a BMI greater than 25, then it could be the case that NOT being fat is a risk factor??? 

 

 

13 minutes ago, ebonykap said:

Apparently, Australia has "drive - in testing" and their testing rate is the best in the world. That's why they currently have a lot of cases (more than Thailand last I looked with about 1/5th the population). I think they will be out of trouble long before many other countries

 

And, if I am not mistaken, so far, Australia has managed to avoid lockdown. They know it could cripple the economy and cause more harm than the virus. 

 

South Korea also avoided lockdown. 

 

For an alternative view (not warped by mass media) about what they did (or rather didn't do) in South Korea, see the comment of Mr Kye Lee Kim here:

(scroll down): https://www.linkedin.com/posts/quartermainebastin_uk-has-enough-intensive-care-units-for-coronavirus-activity-6649216888872243200-sxSX/ 

 

 

1 hour ago, Somtamnication said:

Not read yet. They are scrambling to find qualified Thai English language teachers to translate. Done by 2021!

 

I am sure the original letter would have been written in Thai.

 

Bill is Thai isn't he?

This is what happens when you put pangolin on your pizza! ???? 

22 hours ago, cornishcarlos said:

 

 

Just the areas colored in beige... 

 

Yeah, that's why Crossy wants screws. He's building a boat!