Log 8.30.08:
A long day at the shop, though every Saturday is pretty crazy, so to be expected.... Scrambled through repairs, sales, helping youth mechanics, and getting bikes back into the shop, then jumped on the Merccx and hightailed to Roslyn with new volunteer, James.
Planet Arlington generously invited us to staff the water and HonesTea booth, publicizing our organization and sharing in some of the proceeds. Was a perfect afternoon after a couple days of rain – hot, but clear over the Potomac. Grass was green as could be. Music was good, and I had a blast hanging out with volunteers who put in tons of work. I was hoarse by 6 o’clock, with hours left to play.
The youth mechanics had joined the Saturday ride and helped out at our water booth and the World Playground, working with smaller kids to create bike-illuminating art with bike sculpture extraordinaire, Luke Idziak. Robel, Osman, John, and Ryan rode up with John, and left early. Aaron and Sami hung around for the duration.
Aaron is a businessman in the making (perhaps already made) and took over the cash drawer, deeming my own efforts to slow. When a younger kid asked about who the green mountain bike with a big front suspension fork and glowing back wheel belonged to, Aaron had a chance to explain how he had built it from the frame up, getting a piece from his brother and earning parts from the shop. The boy’s mouth literally dropped open when Aaron, in response to a question said, “No, I’m not in college! I’m in middle school – I’m 14.”
Sami shuttled back and forth between the art booth and drinks – racing up to help Luke and coming back, still with a broad smile, for a short break when the swarm of kids had given him a headache. They had called their parents, but it was still getting late. Reid and I led them out of the Memorial park, but going through Roslyn, Reid flatted and had to bale, back to his sister with a car.
Sami took his rear blinkie and I took the lead as we slipped onto the Mt Vernon trail around 10 o’clock. There was nothing on the river. A couple runners, and the spinning blue wheel on Aaron’s bike and the glowing eyes of Sami’s LED frog behind me. The dark cemetery, then Crystal City lights on our right. A still river and the sites of DC on our left. Quiet – just the rushing wind of our travel down the path and the shout of ‘bump” when we encountered a rough patch in the pavement.
Under GW parkway, on the 4 mile run trail, the water was glass. The reflection made the concrete pillars look as if they extended miles downward, breaking no surface. Only occasionally the sound of our ticking freewheels or our tires across a bit of sand or gravel. Over 395. Warm air changed to cool as we got into the woods on the last section of the ride. Skidding into the shop, checking time, and heading to our respective homes.
Winding my way back to DC, couldn't help but be proud of Sami, getting used to the shifters and position of the road bike he earned and working hard to make sure that everyone always had the help he needed. Always a huge smile and ready to listen and learn. Proud of Aaron, sitting with his helmet and gloves on to protect against the mosquitoes, looking for ways to help things run smoothly, always thinking ahead and aware of what people were doing and thinking. Proud of all the riders and mechanics we see come into the shop, for being willing to take on a new challenge, learn something foreign, go someplace they haven’t been before, and extend a hand to someone they haven’t met.
There are some long days. But heading home, I was amazed that I get to be a part of some incredible people’s lives. From volunteers to youth mechanics to the cyclists that come into the shop and families that pass by….
