...and a broken rear derailleur would I buy anything from your shop, even if it happened right in front of it. I would walk and limp my bike all the way back to Boulder, through three digit temperatures as long as I could avoid patronizing your store.

You see, today I was photographing the 4th of July parade in Frederick. A pickup bearing your shop's banner rolled by with a group, composed largely of children, behind on their bikes.

Caught up in the excitement I smiled, snapped pictures, and complimented the kids on their sweet, nicely decorated bikes. Then, as they passed, it hit me. Not a single one was wearing a helmet. Immediately I thought about the numerous children who were watching the parade. Those kids along the sidewalk think that those kids are something pretty special. What an amazing opportunity to teach by example gone to waste.

I understand that perhaps those kids were sponsored by the shop, but nonetheless as a responsible sponsor there should be some rules of behavior when representing your shop. I have friends who are sponsored snowboarders and if they want to keep those sponsorships they have very strict rules to follow. If I sponsored those children I would pull their sponsorships and have a serious discussion with their negligent parents who allowed that to happen.

Signed a customer who will never be yours.