Fifty Plus (50+) - Mourning.

I just returned from my LBS. For the past couple of years I've been doing a little wrenching for them during the season. This year they told me they are working their schedule a little differently and won't need me unless I want to work Sundays - UGH.

There's no financial downside to me because they are still going to give me the beneficial pricing that I've enjoyed for the past couple of years and I can make more money by driving school bus charters. Never-the-less, the left side of my brain is still mourning because I kind of liked hanging out and working at the bike shop. It was never just about the money so far as I was concerned. Ah well!

Could you "volunteer" your service one or two days a week?

I know what you mean. MANY years ago, I worked in a bike shop learning to wrench a bit. The pay was not great, but it was a fun job. People who ride bikes, as we all know, are generally a bit different. And the difference is nice to be around.

Any other bike repair shops in your area that might like a little help? Around here there are a few that do repairs and sell accessories & used bikes only - don't even bother to sell new bikes.

You could always do some work in your own shop. Its time for......................................................N+1.


or


You could load up the essential tools on the rear rack and pedal around on the local trails dispensing service. (You could call yourself the "Bike Butler".)

Is there a bike coop in your town? If so, I'm sure they'd love some help, if not, maybe it's time for one.

Is a bike coop anything like a chicken coop?

Is a bike coop anything like a chicken coop?

My bike coop is where my bikes nest and lay.

You could load up the essential tools on the rear rack and pedal around on the local trails dispensing service. (You could call yourself the "Bike Butler".)

I posted here a few months ago that one of my very favorite wrenches is a guy who provides mobile bike repair service. He has a minivan loaded w/tools, a repair stand, and a fair number of standard parts.

You call, make an appt, he shows up in your drive and fixes stuff. It's great because (a) you don't have to take your bike in and retrieve it (b) you don't lose your bike while it's in the shop (c) you can stand, watch and ask questions and (d) you can ask him to look at/fix/tweak small items that you otherwise wouldn't bother with on a trip to the shop...he doesn't mind because he's getting paid by the hour anyway.

Another time I needed some major work done and I was leaving town...he came to my house, got the bike, and brought it back when I was back home. Yet another time I broke a chain on the way to work and he came and fixed it over lunch (I didn't have extra chain/chain tools at the office).

Maybe they'll discover that "working their schedule differently" doesn't work out?
I wouldn't give up yet.