August 4, 2021 – Memphis, TN – One of the best discoveries on the 2021 tour so far has to be the TREK bicycle shop, 517 N. Main Street in downtown Memphis, TN.
I badly needed a new rear tire and Will Gratz and Saul Torres made me a priority. They also made me feel at home. “Do you want a chair? How about a snack?” said Saul as Will wheeled my bike in the back.
The store had an open concept so you could watch the mechanics at work. I always felt that helped build trust and pretty soon I was back in the shop watching and learning.
“I love the Centurion model,” said Will. He admired the light blue color and never chided me for riding a steel-frame bike cross country.
Even though Saul hailed from Texas he was familiar with Wisconsin and TREK Corporate, which was offering him tons of opportunity to grow the store.
After swapping out the tire Will said he was just going to tighten a couple of spokes and while truing the wheel he also gleaned the gears. Next thing I knew the chain was off.
It had been a while … and when I saw him measuring the old and the new I had to snap a photo.
With all the touring my chain had stretched about two inches; I consider it quite an accomplishment.
Tough to see in the photo. And you can’t just remove a link because it won’t match up with the teeth in the sprocket.
Will loved biking and working on bikes.
Will then tightened some nut upfront and took the wiggle out of my handlebars.
I started pedaling down the street; man, that bike rode tight. I knew it needed some TLC and I was ready to be hit with the damages.
”That’ll be $10,” said Will.
There is just simply no way all that work and parts and tire and chain and cleaning and truing came to $10.
The kindness of strangers strikes again!
As a boy born into the family of a poor farmer, Clyde “Bud” Barrow’s great love was music. Bud loved to sing and play an old guitar on the farm. He taught himself how to play the saxophone, and it seemed as if he might pursue a career in music. Influenced negatively by his older brother Buck as well as a shady friend of the family, however, it wasn’t long before young Bud’s interests turned from playing songs to stealing cars. (biography.com)
Have I not commanded you? … Be strong and courageous. … Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
The 2021 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible.
Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community. Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2021.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation.
Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community Foundation” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095
Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432
You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE.
Cedar Community is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.