Photo Credit: Richermcm
On Tuesday night I left work and with a Google map clutched tightly in my hand I headed out to Free-Ride for Volunteer Night. I had no idea what I would be doing, I had no real idea who or how many people would be there, and I really wasn't worried. I just wanted to find out more about what Free-Ride really is.
What Free-Ride really is, is bikes, lots and lots of bikes. The amount of bikes that are in this confined space is truly staggering. I have to admit I was starting to feel twitchy from being surrounded by so many bikes. About twenty people showed up to help out. Some were fixing bikes some (myself included) were sorting through wheels (hundreds of wheels) sizing them and sorting out the bent ones (an interesting job for someone who has just enough OCD to drive those around them totally insane). I even saw several people cutting up old shirts to use as rags.
So with music playing, and surrounded by a group of interesting people I was happy to find myself having the time of my life. At one point, while I was working, I looked up at the roof and was surprised to see even more bike frames hanging from the rafters. I learned several things from my time at Free-Ride.
1. Some people have no idea how to take a tire and tube off of a wheel.
2. These people invariably end up sorting through the wheels and stripping the tires and tube off.
3. I so need a repair stand. (those things rocks)
4. My OCD goes totally nuts in a place like this.
5. Being "Fat Guy", I totally stand out in this crowd (Im pretty sure I weighed more than 3 of any other people there)
I am really looking forward to the next time I can go down there and help out. (At least I didn't hurt myself)
Yeah, there are a lot of skinny people there and if I was there I would have fit into that group. There is one guy, Brian, who looks a little more beefier.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good time
LOS
ReplyDeleteI had such a good time, I am hoping to go back on Saturday and help out. It was a great time and I really learned a lot, I learned more about myself and how much I actually enjoy being around people.
This is new to me.
I have always been a loner and now I am discovering just how nice it is to be around people.
three words. ball... peen... hammer.
ReplyDelete"1. Some people have no idea how to take a tire and tube off of a wheel.
ReplyDelete2. These people invariably end up sorting through the wheels and stripping the tires and tube off."
Sounds like volunteer night to me. Have you been back since? The chaos makes more sense once you learn what is going on.
yeah I have been there a couple of times. this summer has been scary busy for me, but I am hoping to get back out there and pick up some frames.
ReplyDelete