Building Bikes and Making Friends
Back in Ontario, life on the bike continues. While in Toronto, I had the pleasure of spending a week working at the venerable Bloor St. bike shop, Sweet Pete’s. I’ve had many friends work at this booming bike biz’ over the years but had never worked there myself. So when Jill offered me work building hybrid bikes for the spring sales season, I was excited to get personally acquainted with this great store.
As many shops do, the core of Sweet Pete’s business has evolved over the years. Once part of the Cyclepath chain(for whom I once worked in Ottawa in the early ’90’s), Pete’s focus was squarely centered on mountain-bikes. Twenty years later, this shop concentrates more on commuters and the needs of urban cyclists; hybrids and single-speed bikes feature prominently on the sales floor…fixed-gear bikes dominate the basement’s staff bike parking.
Working at Sweet Pete’s was both a chance to rub shoulders with old friends and former co-workers while creating new relationships. The owner, Pete, is an affable, curly-haired guy who seems quite down to earth and genuinely interested in the lives of his employees. The head mechanic, Shawn, and I got along very well, particularly as we learned about each other’s involvement in the cycling industry. The other staff all made me feel very welcome and a part of the team. After learning about my life, my travels and my passion for the bike, 20 year old mechanic, Cam, said a very kind thing to me. Not only was he in shock when he learned my age, but he commented that I serve as an inspiration for what it means to be aged 40. I don’t think a kinder, more validating thing could have been said about the life I live.
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By the end of the week, I was being offered work when ever I could spare the time; good bicycle mechanics are very hard to come by these days. So not only did I walk away with a pay-check, I had established a new relationship with a great shop in my Canadian home-town. A big thanks to Pete, Shawn and Jill for welcoming me to the Sweet Pete’s family.
