Commuting - My bike shop buddy, the celebrity

So I get home from work yesterday (on my bike, of course) to find the June, 2001 issue of "Bicycling" waiting in my mail box. After a quick shower I lay down on the bed to cool off for a minute, open up the magazine, and within seconds, the name "Mark Manson" jumps out at me from the "8 Things You Should Replace Every Year" column on page 63. I look at the bottom of the page and, sure enough, it is my bike shop buddy from Bayou Bicycles here in New Orleans! He sold me my bike and has advised me through upgrading it. He never tried to sell me anything, I guess you would say he is an "enabler". :) Seriously, he was a great help. Mark is a great guy.
Regards,
Raymond

My bike shop guy's the same way--never once has tried to push any product, is always helpful and ready to solve problems, and once or twice has even refused payment for jobs that didn't take long.

I can really dig a bike shop that is unbusinesslike.

I asked the man if I he had an allen bolt to fit my seat tube clamp, because mine (lightweight junk and impatient owner) had been totally chewed. He could have said, "No, but for $10 we have a whole set, bolt and clamp."

He said, "Here," and handed me a box of nuts, bolts, screws and "thingys". I picked out three possibles. One fit perfectly, saving me a sawbuck.

I walked by there Friday to say "thanks," and he was outside the front door.

"Thanks," I said, for which he slapped my arm and went inside.

Oh, by the way, it was "No Charge."

;)

That was a great artical too! :)