Leigh Who Saved the Ride: June 23, 2012

Leigh the Mechanic and Pata

So we made it to Dick’s Wheel Shop in Herkimer NY though “the kindness of strangers” and were standing in front of it when a young man rode up on a BMX bike and asked what was up.  I said that I broke a spoke and he said something about how that was a bummer.  He proceeded to open the shop and helped us wheel our bikes into the shop. Such was the beginning of an encounter that would prove to be our wheel salvation.

He looked at the bike and the wheel and said that he could fix it.  I sighed a sigh of relief. He admired the upgrades to the Fuji and the tires but commented that the wheels were the weakest part of the bike.  They were the stock wheels and the rims did not have reinforced spoke eyelets and the hubs were probably made in Taiwan.  We decided once we get to Rochester to get a new wheel.

In the meanwhile, he fixed what I had like a wizard.  He fixed the spoke, trued the wheel, made it right.   

P.S. It's been two days riding since the wheel was fixed and it is still true!


DW: Leigh you did an outstanding job with the wheel! Two days later as we ride the mostly empty Erie Canal bike path I ride behind Pata's bike and the wheel is perfectly true. You are the master of the spoke wrench! Much appreciation for taking us in and getting us out the same day; especially considering your shop is only open for four hours on Saturday.