Positive Reinforcement

There are some days that makes me wonder why we do this. By this I mean opening the doors 1/2 hour before the clearly posted business hours to let the customer in who didn't check those business hours and just "assumed" we'd be there because it was the only time that fit in their very busy schedule to drop their bike off. Or the times when you are made to feel like dirt because you won't let the same customer into the store more than 1 hour after the clearly stated business hours just to look around or maybe even buy a bike. Or to provide a "free of charge" house call to fix a flat tire that was just fixed the day before and should never go flat again, all before the first drop off coffee is even a thought on your lips.

Then there is that customer. The one that you see everywhere. Using the bike for the purpose it was designed for - to be ridden. They seldom ask for much and are always appreciative of the service they have received. Although it isn't always verbalized, they love the store, the staff, the flavor, the vibe, the atmosphere, the list could go on.

So, today was my day. It was my day to receive the compliments doled out by on of those appreciative customers. They remember you letting them in after hours to answer a few questions about bikes. They remember the enthusiasm you shared with them about getting back on the road after a number of years off. They remember the generous and exceptional service you provided throughout their bike purchasing experience. They remembered that you were enjoying a cold beer at the end of a long shift and talked their ear off rather than kicking them out.

They remember. That in itself is touching. It is these customers and their positive comments that keep us doing what we do. It is a lifestyle and a passion, and every once in a while it sure is nice to be reminded why it is we do what we do.

The Smell of Dirt, McDonald's Coffee and a Raleigh 20

The shop is a place where, if your lucky, you meet an individual that really stands out. In your mind at least. These particular folk you seldom forget. They become legends and it seems that you can retell their story 100 times or more without tiring. I have one of these, and his name was Rod.

I say 'was' because I have no idea if he is still with us. Here or in Rod's place. He seemed to come from many different places and when he rolled through the door, it felt an old friend comin' home from a 20 week stretch in the woods. The long scraggly beard, the army edition green wool pants and Stanfield's shirt that was chocked full of pine needles and wood chips, the handmade light weight loggers and the sweet smell of Pacific Northwest dirt. That was Rod.

The conversations were light at first and usually revolved around our interest in trading a more usable part for a less usable part. We always made sure it worked out in his favor. I would guess it was due to the fact that he loved to ride Raleigh 20's. Really, who could blame him. I thought he was pretty cool. The bike definitely wasn't as clean or pristine as the one bellow. The fenders where removed for better mud clearance and the paint was always rough. No wire basket or milk crate either. It was wood all the way with Rod. On top of it all, if there was any chrome it was polished and shiny.

A few visits into our relationship Rod's interest in our 'donated' bike pile was growing. "What are all those bikes doing out there?" he would ask. "Um, I saw a brake lever on the white one. I think it would work well with the Raleigh brake." Everything had a place and a purpose for Rod. So started the ever present tradesies for coffee.

Now for all those unclear on this comment, trading coffee trumps most everything in the shop. Even food. Even beer. Coffee will get you stuff. Rod tuned into this pretty quick when he would ask "how much" for the rusty seized brake caliper, a tire, left hand pedal and 3 used tubes. All for his girlfriend's bike of course. The response was always "how 'bout ya zip down the street and grab some coffee's".

He would smile, then get all funky in his step and slink out the door, often leaving his bike leaning against the wall outside. I soon learned that in Rod's world coffee meant McDonald's and he didn't guarantee it would be that day. Sometimes 4 or 5 days would pass, then the door would open and in would walk Rod. Two hot McDonald's coffees in hand. "I didn't forget" he'd say, "Just had to run home. The girlfriend had some trouble". I eventually found out that "home" was a 1.5 hour ferry ride followed by a 3-4 hour ride on the "20". That was Rod.

After a few years the visits became less frequent. The time lapse between the offer to get coffee and the return with said coffee became weeks then months. Then the visits stopped altogether. I would think of what happened to him from time-to-time. It seemed that I was the only one. More than 5 years rolled by, then one day this figure appears in the store. It looks like Rod, kind of smells like Rod, different ride though and looking a bit off center. After a few moments I take the plunge and say, "Rod, is that you? Man it's good to see you." At first he seems surprised and in shock. Then his eyes turn cold and I'm met with hostility. "Rod" had apparently passed a few years back. "They" made him do it (in reference to the government) stated his identical "brother". I hit a nerve or struck a chord or exposed some one who had gone away. I felt bad.

I offed my condolences for his loss and attempted to return to my task. The rest of the day was a right off. I got excited, ran and told the crew and was met with the 'ol "huh", "who". It was then that I felt it. It was between Rod and I. Some days I feel lucky.

Long Time Comin'

Welcome to the bike shop chronicles. This idea has been floating around for the better part of 15 years and, well, I guess the time is now to put all the random juggernaut onto the pages of the inter-webs and share what draws me into this magical industry that we all try to escape at some point or another.

After spending the better part of the past 23 years in the bowels of "the shop", I have had the opportunity to meet the most amazing and unique individuals. Bicycles have a tendency to bridge the gap between the young and the old, the economically challenged and the well-off, the stable and the un-stable, the fast and the slow, the shiny new and the dull vintage, the geared and the un-geared and last but not least, the Lycra clad and the wool wearing.

So this here page is a dedication to all those bike riders who have stepped through the door of a bike shop at some point or another, and to those who have endured the long days and nights keeping those bike riders riding bikes. To sum it all up, I happened upon this list of answers to questions posted on various blog/forum/chat on-line things. Read it. You'll appreciate it. The picture I just like.

Surly Blog - check it out.

(http://surlybikes.com/blog/P5/)

If you think your bike looks good, it does.

If you like the way your bike rides, it’s an awesome bike.

You don’t need to spend a million dollars to have a great bike, but if you do spend a million dollars and know what you want you’ll probably also have a great bike.

Yes, you can tour on your bike – whatever it is.

Yes, you can race on your bike – whatever it is.

Yes, you can commute on your bike – whatever it is.

26” wheels or 29” or 650b or 700c or 24” or 20” or whatever – yes, that wheel size is rad and you’ll probably get where you’re going.

Disc brakes, cantis, v-brakes, and road calipers all do a great job of stopping a bike when they’re working and adjusted.

No paint job makes everyone happy.

Yes, you can put a rack on that. Get some p-clamps if there are no mounts.

Steel is a great material for making bike frames - so is aluminum, carbon fiber, and titanium.

You can have your saddle at whatever angle makes you happy.

Your handlebars can be lower than your saddle, even with your saddle, or higher than your saddle. Whichever way you like it is right.

Being shuttled up a downhill run does not make you a weak person, nor does choosing not to fly off of a 10 foot drop.

Bike frames made overseas can be super cool. Bike frames made in the USA can be super cool.

Hey, tattooed and pierced long shorts wearin flat brim hat red bull drinkin white Oakley sportin rad person on your full suspension big hit bike – nice work out there.

Hey, little round glasses pocket protector collared shirt skid lid rear view mirror sandal wearing schwalbe marathon running pletscher two-leg kickstand tourist – good job.

Hey, shaved leg skinny as hell super duper tan line hear rate monitor checking power tap train in the basement all winter super loud Lycra kit million dollar wheels racer – keep it up.

The more you ride your bike, the less your ass will hurt.

The following short answers are good answers, but not the only ones for the question asked – 29”, Brooks, lugged, disc brake, steel, Campagnolo, helmet, custom, Rohloff, NJS, carbon, 31.8, clipless, porteur.

No bike does everything perfectly. In fact, no bike does anything until someone gets on it to ride.

Sometimes, recumbent bikes are OK.

Your bike shop is not trying to screw you. They’re trying to stay open.

Buying things off of the Internet is great, except when it sucks.

Some people know more about bikes than you do. Other people know less.

Maybe the person you waved at while you were out riding didn’t see you wave at them.

It sucks to be harassed by assholes in cars while you’re on a bike. It also sucks to drive behind assholes on bikes.

Did you build that yourself? Awesome. Did you buy that? Cool.

Wheelies are the best trick ever invented. That’s just a fact.

Which is better, riding long miles, or hanging out under a bridge doing tricks? Yes.

Yes, you can break your collar bone riding a bike like that.

Stopping at stop signs is probably a good idea.

Driving with your bikes on top of your car to get to a dirt trail isn’t ideal, but for most people it’s necessary.

If your bike has couplers, or if you have a spendy bike case, or if you pay a shop to pack your bike, or if you have a folding bike, shipping a bike is still a pain in the ass for everyone involved.

That dent in your frame is probably ok, but maybe it’s not. You should get it looked at.

Touch up paint always looks like shit. Often it looks worse than the scratch.

A pristine bike free of dirt, scratches, and wear marks makes me sort of sad.

A bike that’s been chained to the same tree for three years caked with rust and missing parts makes me sad too.

Bikes purchased at Wal-mart, Target, Costco, or K-mart are generally not the best bang for your buck.

Toe overlap is not the end of the world, unless you crash and die – then it is.

Sometimes parts break. Sometimes you crash. Sometimes it’s your fault.

Yes, you can buy a bike without riding it first. It would be nice to ride it first, but it’s not a deal breaker not to.

Ownership of a truing stand does not a wheel builder make.

32 spokes, 48 spokes, 24 spokes, three spokes? Sure.

Single speed bikes are rad. Bikes with derailleurs and cassettes are sexy. Belt drive internal gear bikes work great too.

Columbus, TruTemper, Reynolds, Ishiwata, or no brand? I’d ride it.

Tubeless tires are pretty cool. So are tubes.

The moral of RAGBRAI is that families and drunken boobs can have fun on the same route, just maybe at different times of day.

Riding by yourself kicks ass. You might also try riding with a group.

Really fast people are frustrating, but they make you faster. When you get faster, you might frustrate someone else.

Stopping can be as much fun as riding.

Lots of people worked their asses off to build whatever you’re riding on. You should thank them.

yup.