How a Bicycle Shop Became “My” Bike Shop

It’s a lot of fun to explore Sonoma on your bike. I’ve been doing that a lot lately. A few weeks ago, we needed a pair of bicycle socks and stopped in at the local bicycle shop. While paying for the socks, the owner asked about where we’d been riding and suggested another loop to try. He went out of his way to be helpful and friendly, even though we had only made a very small purchase. We went on our way.

The following week I had the inevitable breakdown. The chain and gears jammed. A passing cyclist helped get into one gear so I could ride it back to the same bicycle shop. The technician hoisted the cruiser on his rack, diagnosed the problem, and in less than 10 minutes I was back on my bike cruising garage sales. He refused to take any money for the “repair,” saying it was a simple thing. He just hoped I would return when I did need a tune-up, repair, or new equipment. You bet I will. I just found “my” new bike shop in Sonoma.