Good Bike Karma- Paying it Forward...

[Running Mommy]

Haven't had much time to post lately, as the shop has been crazy busy. We are truely blessed to have such great customers, and so many that have become friends.
We are also blessed to have the best Manager/lead mechanic in the land.
And last week I learned just 'WHY' he's such a great person.
As you may have read in previous posts, running hubby, son, and our manager have started racing out at the bmx track.
Well there is a kid out there that was racing on a pretty heavy bike. He always got SOOO close, but could never quite catch his competition as he was on such a lighter bike. This kid is the epitome of a sportsman. He takes all the new kids under his wing and shows them the track, gives them tips, and is always friendly with everyone- even the ones that beat him.
When we started racing out there he took our manager under his wing and showed him the ropes.
Meanwhile he was asking me how much a new bike would be. I later found out that he was trying to sell his RC cars on ebay to finance a new bike.
I'm not sure of his financial situation at home, but I know they didn't have the money to just go buy him a bike.
A week ago his dad pulled me aside and asked me how much a new bike would be. I told him I would check prices and give him the best deal I could. Truth be told I was going to give it to him at cost.
Well last Monday morning our manager came to me and told me he wanted to sponsor him- he wanted to buy him a bike. I told him that I would help as well.
We called Intense to see what was available, and then went to work. He loves blue, and we couldn't get him a blue bike, so we changed out a bunch of parts with blue ones. He ended up getting about a 900.00 (retail) bike.
This boy lives near Justins family, so they were in on it. I asked Justins mom to bring the kids by the shop before racing on Friday, so we could present it to him.
He had NO IDEA, and as I was talking and telling him how his "sportmanship has not gone un noticed" he started shaking. I think he was realizing that something big was about to happen. When we wheeled the bike out to him he almost burst into tears. It was just the best moment I've had in a long time!
We had a customer in the shop at the time and she was blown away by it all.
I guess when he got in the car the first thing he asked to do was call his Grandma. And when we got to the track his parents attacked us with hugs.
To us, it was just paying it forward for the blessings we have been given.
It's just so cool seeing such a deserving kid ride by you with such a wide grin on his face!

[redrhodie]

I can hardly write through my tears. What a wonderful thing to do!

[Blueberry]

Wow!! How very cool:) You guys ROCK!!!!!

CA

[tulip]

What a wonderful story! That put a big, big smile on my face. Thanks for being so generous and sharing (to your customers, community, and us).

[Running Mommy]

Thanks ladies.
I have another one.

a couple of months ago we had a guy come in the shop with a hard luck case. He was riding in on an old Diamond Back mtn bike.
His story (true or not we don't know) was that he was riding across country and his bike and all his gear had been stolen. The sherrifs office had given him the diamond back out of their unclaimed locker, but he needed a road bike to get across the country.
He was american indian, so the BIA had given him some money. He handed me a chunk of money and asked me if I had a bike I could sell him.
I ended up selling him a low end Jamis road bike at about 24.00 under my cost. I didn't want to take all his money.
He left us with the Diamond Back, and everyone teased me about my trade in.
Well a couple of weeks ago a guy from the Phoenix fire dept called me. They have a guy with special needs that they've taken under their wing. Apparently the guy gets everywhere by bike. I guess he was in an accident and the bike was totalled. So they were looking for a cheap bike for him. I ended up giving him the Diamond back, and apparently the man was thrilled. It was a beater bike in our minds, but it was gold to this guy.
So again, just practicing good bike karma and paying it forward.

[Mighty Mo]

Awesome story!

[mtbdarby]

Denise - YOU GUYS ROCK!! I just love reading these wonderful stories.

I think you need to post some pix of this fine rider and his new bike so we can see the purdy thang (the bike of course!).

And how is Justin doing?

[Wahine]

Denise - I love you guys!! ((((((((HUGS))))))). That is just the greatest. You made me cry. I'm coming to Tempe sometime just to meet you. I'll wait until winter though I think.;)

[Zen]

that kid is going to remember that moment for the rest of his life.
Thank you and everyone at the shop.

Re- the Diamondback.
I hope we can tall take a moment and appreciate how good our lives really are.

[sundial]

When we wheeled the bike out to him he almost burst into tears. It was just the best moment I've had in a long time!


I am so moved by your generosity. Thank you for being who you are.

[Crankin]

I wish we had known a shop owner like you when my son was racing. Although we could afford the bike, all of the things he had to buy added up and up and up... and then we had to get a better bike, a cross bike, and another better bike. If they had just given him a little shwag for gratis, it would have gone a long way. Junior racers get treated like doo-doo to begin with, and they could have had a lot more business from us if Scott had been treated better. As it was, my husband became a "mechanic," because it would have been unbelievably expensive for us to pay for all the work he had to get done.
You rock! I will definitely be stopping by when I'm in Tempe during the next year.

[KatyLady]

What great stories!!! Thanks for sharing them with us.

[jesvetmed]

Way to go Denise. I always believe in the Kharma.... it's sad that many don't. Way to be a shining light in your community! That stuff ought to make the papers instead of all the other "*%#*" we have to read about daily!!

You've given me chills on a hot day! THANKS!:D
Wish I could bring my business to you guys! Kind of a long drive or ride, though.

Jes

[PinkBike]

oh great, i'm at work at one of the public computers and getting tears in my eyes while i read this thread.

denise, you bless others and are so blessed in return. good on ya.

[melissam]

RM,

It's stories like this that help restore my faith in humanity. Thank you for sharing!

- Melissa

[crazycanuck]

Denise, you're one amazing iron chickadee :D

Thanks for helping out however you can (((RM)))

BTW..how's justin?

[smurfalicious]

Shipping be damned when I get ready to buy a BMX bike, I'm buying it from your shop! I could definitely feel good about that purchase! BMX, like I need another way to get injured, oh well, gotta scratch itches now and again.

[Susan126]

Denise, that story just made my day! Wow you and your manager and everyone in on it are super awesome folks! It's people like you who make the world a better place!

We need more people like you in this world!

Sue

[latelatebloomer]

I love you, woman. You give humans a good name.:D

[LBTC]

RM - I'm still wiping the tears away, even after reading all those warm responses! You do so many good things that I can never read your posts aloud to DH because I can't talk through the tears! You're awesome! And it's so wonderful all that you do for so many people!!! If it were just a little closer, you'd be my LBS without question. No idea if we'll be in Arizona ever, but if I get to the state one day, I'll do all I can to see you in person!!!

The butterflies are doing such a happy in air jig, they are a wonder to behold, just like you. And when they get that way, they spontaneously multiply and head out to everyone who needs them!

Hugs and butterflies to you and everyone involved!
~T~

[LoriO]

RM, reading your posts today and then the other thread on Justin just helps cement in my mind that Yes, there really are still some GOOD people in this world!!! You are one special lady!!

[Red Rock]

RM- you made may day reading this. I always look forward to the next edition of "what is happening at the bike shop". I knew there was something special about you doing opening the business. May it continue to bring you joy and happiness with all of your customers!

If I ever make it Goodyear AZ, I would love to meet you. You are a hero in my/our books.

Thankyou for all you do in your community as for us on the Board here.

Ellen

[KnottedYet]

Oh, man, you made me cry!

[jesvetmed]

I love you, woman. You give humans a good name.

I love this quote!
And you do!
Humans need all the help they can get these days!

[crazycanuck]

Hey RM,

Can I order stuff from your bike shop? It's hard to find good customer service!

[Running Mommy]

Ok ya'll, now you dun made ME cry!!!
Such kind words. I'm blessed to have all of you in my life as well.
As I said, we were just doing the right thing. I wouldn't think twice about it, and I certainly don't expect all the accolades I've gotten here. But thank you.

Also, Remember that it was Nick (our manager) who stepped up big time. He's funny, now he says "ahh man, now people are going to think I'm NICE!" with mock horror :p
Also, when Intense found out what we were doing they threw in some stuff too. So it was a group effort. I don't want to forget that.

I was out at the track this evening, and he is STILL smiling!
Apparently he wasn't going to be able to come practice tonight because his mom said they didn't have the money. So Justins younger brother paid him the 5.00 that it costs to wash his bike for him. So see, It's not just me. A 9 yr old is making sure that he can ride. A nine yr old used his allowance to pay him for something that he could have easily done himself.
Well, I'm off to bed with all your kind posts tucked under my pillow.

Ciao bellas!
Denise :)

Oh- and Justin is doing MUCH better. He's still losing weight, which is troubling. But he says nothing tastes good, so he won't eat. He's lost over 30 lbs, and really needs to be gaining.
His brain injury seems to be getting better, but his motor skills are still a bit off. His speech isn't as deliberate tho, so I take that as a good sign. He has a girlfriend now too. They are so dang CUTE together! He's at the track everynight it's open though. And he always has a hug and kind words for me. He's such a good kid!
Thanks for asking all.

[Running Mommy]

I've been thinking that I need to send you a box of goodies. I FINALLY got one out to Clock in sunny (heh heh) england a couple of weeks ago.
Are you in need?? :D
PM me!

[crazycanuck]

I feel the need for (biking) speed..

Sorry, Top Gun moment..

[Running Mommy]

HA!
That would be a spendy little "package"!! :eek::D
Could you imagine the shipping costs??!! YIPES!
I think it might be cheaper to fly it there.

[Running Mommy]

I do have an xs Juliana I'm trying to unload tho... 07 model, hardly ridden. :D

[crazycanuck]

Umm RM, I wasn't referring to a bike :o..I'd like new legs..:rolleyes:

[Running Mommy]

AHA!!!! :p
sorry. It's my bedtime!! I'm a bit slow come this time of night...
Time to snooze! I slept thru my ride this am, so I HAVE to get up tomorrow. If i'm not on my bike by 6:30 am my noggin frys like an egg!
It's been 110+ every day for the last few weeks. Monsoon seems to be holding off this year.. grrrrrr....:mad:
We need some rain to cool us off. OY

[crazycanuck]

I'll send you some thundershowers that are predicted for Perth this weekend :(:mad:

RM..i shall pm you..

[ClockworkOrange]

I've been thinking that I need to send you a box of goodies. I FINALLY got one out to Clock in sunny (heh heh) england a couple of weeks ago.
Are you in need?? :D
PM me!


Denise, like everybody has already said, you really are one special lady.

I have not had time to come on here for a while, the fundraising is taking up a lot of time.

BUT........I come on here and within seconds you have me in tears.........what great stories, I think you should be known as St Denise.....:D

There is so much sadness in the world, we want more DENISE'S! Then there would be far more happiness in the world!

As for my box of goodies, that was amazing. I never had a penpal as a child, couldn't be bothered with all that writing and stuff, well, it looks like I am making up for it.

Clock

[OakLeaf]

Wow Denise, you rock. I'm speechless (and in tears like everyone else :cool:).

[Bad JuJu]

Ok, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who was left weeping with amazement after reading this story! RM, this is not only a wonderful thing for you, your manager, and your shop to have done, but it's also a major inspiration to all of us. What goes around....