Paybacks

A few weeks ago, I was riding from the sub on a Friday afternoon. As usual on Friday, there were few riders around but as I headed back through the downtown park, I noticed a rider walking along pushing his bike and talking on his cell phone. I surveyed his situation:
nice bike, full kit, flat tire, no seat bag
I had just written this post a few days prior:
http://jbarcycling.blogspot.com/2009/08/dont-forget-legal-tender-ultimate.html

I mentioned the article later and he allowed that he didn't have a cent on him, either. Fun!

As I approached, I asked the usual, "Got everything you need?", to which he looked up from his conversation and said, "Uh, do you have a pump?" and going back to the phone..."No, I don't need you to come get me, I need for you to bring my stuff. I'm riding home."

My kind of rider! Long story short, we chatted while I pulled out his old tube, replaced it with one of mine and aired his tire up with my CO2. He was very gracious in insisting that he'd pay me back. I was laughingly ringing him up as I worked; tube 6.99,a CO2 at about 3.50, total repairs were worth about a ten spot, but that he could just pass it on the next time he saw a rider needing a hand. "No, I'll pay you back." He asked my phone number and we parted. All in all, a pleasant exchange and it is always nice to be able to provide someone with a big favor in their eyes at very little cost or inconvenience to you. It was also positive for me because I'd just written a post about never leaving home without a flat kit and I was feeling, oh, so right! Ok, I know that gloating is unbecoming, but the timing was good!

Forward to the next week:
I came home to find a $25.00 gift card from Competitive Cyclist in my mail box. We had discussed CC as our "go to" bike shop and I guess that he called the boys and tracked me down, then more than followed through on his promise of payback. His follow-up was neither expected nor necessary, but the spirit of it very much appreciated. I haven't seen him since, but it's good to meet folks like John Taylor out on the road. My seat bag is reloaded with a couple of tubes and some CO2's but I'll bet the next time I see him, he'll be packin'! If he's not, I reserve the right to make fun of him.