Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[Shoji Takahashi]

Thank you, thank you, Leah (and Benefactor)! 

Shoji
Arlington MA



On Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 9:09:59 AM UTC-5, ascpgh wrote:
>
> Leah, The threshold of something good is always smaller than thought, and 
> the consequences seldom a barrier!
>
> These are vignettes of how to model our behavior, on and regarding bikes 
> as well as elsewhere. This storyline has done much to become the 
> illustration for the idea.
>
> Andy Cheatham
> Pittsburgh
>
>
>
> On Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 6:52:30 PM UTC-5, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>>
>> I’m back to tell you about something good resulting from the Bike 
>> Benefactor’s legacy; may it long continue!
>>
>> Yesterday I was cycling to school with my two boys, when another rider 
>> met us while waiting at the crosswalk. This kid is an 8th grader; he’s 
>> bigger and heavier than me and he rides a bike that is utterly small for 
>> his size. But he must have some affection for it; his knees are up to his 
>> chin but he’s still riding it every single day. I was studying his 
>> cartoonishly low saddle height (why won’t he raise it?!?) when I noticed 
>> his front tire - the front brake looked to have exploded. It was an ugly 
>> v-shape, a maw, wide open and ugly, and the cable didn’t seem to be 
>> connected to the brake lever. Shocked, because I knew he had just ridden 
>> down part of Killer Hill and arrived at this intersection alive, I brought 
>> it up. 
>>
>> “Hey, no front brake, huh?”
>>
>> “Someone ran into me and it broke. I’ve been meaning to get it repaired.” 
>>
>> I looked it over and it was in bad shape; not a simple fix, and I’m 
>> barely capable of simple fixes the way it is.  
>>
>> I cringed when the path went downhill to the last busy crossing, but he 
>> made it fine. We went to the bike racks and I unloaded bags and racks and 
>> kissed my sons goodbye. 
>>
>> It bothered me. I have a lot of time to think on that uphill climb home; 
>> and it irked me that this kid was so ill-equipped to do such a simple, 
>> responsible thing. He’s taking himself to school, not effortlessly riding 
>> through the valet car loop like 80% of the students. And to do this he will 
>> be weighted by a heavy backpack, pedaling an ill-fitting bike, and now he 
>> doesn’t even have front brakes? 
>>
>> The next morning we had just made it to campus when I noticed him coming 
>> some way off, and it came to me what had to be done. Heavy on my mind was 
>> the Bike Benefactor, and how the cycle of kindness and generosity should 
>> not end with me. I waited for the kid and called him over to tell him I 
>> wanted to fix his bike and would he mind if I took it to a bike shop? I 
>> promised to have it back in time for him to ride home. He agreed to let me, 
>> though he looked a bit skeptical and maybe a bit sheepish (I know the 
>> feeling!). I came back to school with my Odyssey and set off to beg the 
>> bike shop to work us in.
>>
>> “You’re like a bike vigilante,” said the kid who wrote up my ticket. The 
>> bike got: a new brake cable, a new brake pad to replace the missing one, 
>> the chain lubed (first time for everything!), the back brake adjusted (it 
>> was rubbing the tire), the seat raised, a bolt replaced that was missing on 
>> his rack (maybe that’s why he never uses it?) and a “safety check.” I got 
>> it back in the rack an hour before school was out. Whew.
>>
>> I hope we see him tomorrow, and I hope his knees are not hitting his chin 
>> and that he has two functioning brakes and maybe has decided to use his 
>> rack. I do believe the best policy is to act kindly and then keep it to 
>> oneself, but this happy story is a direct result of the Benefactor’s 
>> kindness, and I hope the Benefactor reads this and takes a little 
>> satisfaction. He is, even now, having a ripple effect, and it is so fun to 
>> celebrate it.
>>
>> My best,
>> Leah
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>

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Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[ascpgh]

Leah, The threshold of something good is always smaller than thought, and 
the consequences seldom a barrier!

These are vignettes of how to model our behavior, on and regarding bikes as 
well as elsewhere. This storyline has done much to become the illustration 
for the idea.

Andy Cheatham
Pittsburgh



On Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 6:52:30 PM UTC-5, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:
>
> I’m back to tell you about something good resulting from the Bike 
> Benefactor’s legacy; may it long continue!
>
> Yesterday I was cycling to school with my two boys, when another rider met 
> us while waiting at the crosswalk. This kid is an 8th grader; he’s bigger 
> and heavier than me and he rides a bike that is utterly small for his size. 
> But he must have some affection for it; his knees are up to his chin but 
> he’s still riding it every single day. I was studying his cartoonishly low 
> saddle height (why won’t he raise it?!?) when I noticed his front tire - 
> the front brake looked to have exploded. It was an ugly v-shape, a maw, 
> wide open and ugly, and the cable didn’t seem to be connected to the brake 
> lever. Shocked, because I knew he had just ridden down part of Killer Hill 
> and arrived at this intersection alive, I brought it up. 
>
> “Hey, no front brake, huh?”
>
> “Someone ran into me and it broke. I’ve been meaning to get it repaired.” 
>
> I looked it over and it was in bad shape; not a simple fix, and I’m barely 
> capable of simple fixes the way it is.  
>
> I cringed when the path went downhill to the last busy crossing, but he 
> made it fine. We went to the bike racks and I unloaded bags and racks and 
> kissed my sons goodbye. 
>
> It bothered me. I have a lot of time to think on that uphill climb home; 
> and it irked me that this kid was so ill-equipped to do such a simple, 
> responsible thing. He’s taking himself to school, not effortlessly riding 
> through the valet car loop like 80% of the students. And to do this he will 
> be weighted by a heavy backpack, pedaling an ill-fitting bike, and now he 
> doesn’t even have front brakes? 
>
> The next morning we had just made it to campus when I noticed him coming 
> some way off, and it came to me what had to be done. Heavy on my mind was 
> the Bike Benefactor, and how the cycle of kindness and generosity should 
> not end with me. I waited for the kid and called him over to tell him I 
> wanted to fix his bike and would he mind if I took it to a bike shop? I 
> promised to have it back in time for him to ride home. He agreed to let me, 
> though he looked a bit skeptical and maybe a bit sheepish (I know the 
> feeling!). I came back to school with my Odyssey and set off to beg the 
> bike shop to work us in.
>
> “You’re like a bike vigilante,” said the kid who wrote up my ticket. The 
> bike got: a new brake cable, a new brake pad to replace the missing one, 
> the chain lubed (first time for everything!), the back brake adjusted (it 
> was rubbing the tire), the seat raised, a bolt replaced that was missing on 
> his rack (maybe that’s why he never uses it?) and a “safety check.” I got 
> it back in the rack an hour before school was out. Whew.
>
> I hope we see him tomorrow, and I hope his knees are not hitting his chin 
> and that he has two functioning brakes and maybe has decided to use his 
> rack. I do believe the best policy is to act kindly and then keep it to 
> oneself, but this happy story is a direct result of the Benefactor’s 
> kindness, and I hope the Benefactor reads this and takes a little 
> satisfaction. He is, even now, having a ripple effect, and it is so fun to 
> celebrate it.
>
> My best,
> Leah
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

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Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[REC (Roberta)]

Ethan and his bike look great together.  LOVE the honey colored saddle and 
matching cork grips.  It  must have been pretty satisfying to him to do the 
final shellac.  Classy bike for a classy kid!

Awesome story about the boy biking to school with a broken, and now, fixed 
bike.  The Benefactor effect ripples on.  I wonder what your encounter will 
be when you see each other  next time. Do tell. I'm sure he'll never forget 
your help.

 
On Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 6:52:30 PM UTC-5, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:
>
> I’m back to tell you about something good resulting from the Bike 
> Benefactor’s legacy; may it long continue!
>
> Yesterday I was cycling to school with my two boys, when another rider met 
> us while waiting at the crosswalk. This kid is an 8th grader; he’s bigger 
> and heavier than me and he rides a bike that is utterly small for his size. 
> But he must have some affection for it; his knees are up to his chin but 
> he’s still riding it every single day. I was studying his cartoonishly low 
> saddle height (why won’t he raise it?!?) when I noticed his front tire - 
> the front brake looked to have exploded. It was an ugly v-shape, a maw, 
> wide open and ugly, and the cable didn’t seem to be connected to the brake 
> lever. Shocked, because I knew he had just ridden down part of Killer Hill 
> and arrived at this intersection alive, I brought it up. 
>
> “Hey, no front brake, huh?”
>
> “Someone ran into me and it broke. I’ve been meaning to get it repaired.” 
>
> I looked it over and it was in bad shape; not a simple fix, and I’m barely 
> capable of simple fixes the way it is.  
>
> I cringed when the path went downhill to the last busy crossing, but he 
> made it fine. We went to the bike racks and I unloaded bags and racks and 
> kissed my sons goodbye. 
>
> It bothered me. I have a lot of time to think on that uphill climb home; 
> and it irked me that this kid was so ill-equipped to do such a simple, 
> responsible thing. He’s taking himself to school, not effortlessly riding 
> through the valet car loop like 80% of the students. And to do this he will 
> be weighted by a heavy backpack, pedaling an ill-fitting bike, and now he 
> doesn’t even have front brakes? 
>
> The next morning we had just made it to campus when I noticed him coming 
> some way off, and it came to me what had to be done. Heavy on my mind was 
> the Bike Benefactor, and how the cycle of kindness and generosity should 
> not end with me. I waited for the kid and called him over to tell him I 
> wanted to fix his bike and would he mind if I took it to a bike shop? I 
> promised to have it back in time for him to ride home. He agreed to let me, 
> though he looked a bit skeptical and maybe a bit sheepish (I know the 
> feeling!). I came back to school with my Odyssey and set off to beg the 
> bike shop to work us in?
>
> “You’re like a bike vigilante,” said the kid who wrote up my ticket. The 
> bike got: a new brake cable, a new brake pad to replace the missing one, 
> the chain lubed (first time for everything!), the back brake adjusted (it 
> was rubbing the tire), the seat raised, a bolt replaced that was missing on 
> his rack (maybe that’s why he never uses it?) and a “safety check.” I got 
> it back in the rack an hour before school was out. Whew.
>
> I hope we see him tomorrow, and I hope his knees are not hitting his chin 
> and that he has two functioning brakes and maybe has decided to use his 
> rack. I do believe the best policy is to act kindly and then keep it to 
> oneself, but this happy story is a direct result of the Benefactor’s 
> kindness, and I hope the Benefactor reads this and takes a little 
> satisfaction. He is, even now, having a ripple effect, and it is so fun to 
> celebrate it.
>
> My best,
> Leah
>
>

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Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[Ian A]

Well said, Joe. Heartwarming to say the least.

IanA

On Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 8:19:38 PM UTC-7, Joe Bernard wrote:
>
> I get the desire to be quiet about it, but I'm glad you beat that bit of 
> silliness back. The world (and my heart) needs stories like this!

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Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[Joe Bernard]

I get the desire to be quiet about it, but I'm glad you beat that bit of 
silliness back. The world (and my heart) needs stories like this!

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Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[Leah Peterson]

Above and beyond, Patrick. Slow clap - that’s a great example.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 6, 2018, at 10:50 AM, Patrick Moore  wrote:
> 
> Good photo of your son, and the bike.
> 
> I don't know if I reported this on the RBW list, but a few months ago I 
> bought a Nashbar bike for a local man who had moved to the city and, having 
> found a job with the City of ABQ but having no money, was walking 8 1/2 miles 
> each way to work. I also gave him basic kit to keep going, and solicited 
> donations on the boblist for lights, pump, etc, which came through. He was 
> pleased. 
> 
> This was the instance of a man at our church, burly, hot-tempered 
> 40-something, pure WASP, shaved head, goatee, wraparounds, ex white 
> supremacist and member of Aryan Brotherhood, in the '90s one of ABQ's top 
> criminals, who got tired of such foolishness, joined our church under the 
> patronage of St. Moses the Black 
> (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses_the_Black), and who "adopted" this young 
> man, who is black, as he has done with others. This ex WS likes reggae, so 
> his conversion is obviously complete. 
> 
> Thanks again to those who donated to this project.
> 
> I also recently installed thornproof tubes with Slime in the tires of our 
> priest's son's (*) bike (donated by my brother -- old, lugged (!) Bianchi 
> with 24" wheels) after he kept getting the inevitable goathead flats. Have 
> just acquire new cantilver brakes to replace the binding ones he now has.
> 
> Patrick Moore, obviously letting his left hand know all about what his right 
> hand is doing, but you asked, in ABQ, NM.
> 
> (*) Nope, I'm not Catholic, obviously. OCA. (Funny: founding priest of our 
> parish, now dead, was a huge, bearded Irish/Scandinavian with a half-dozen 
> beautiful blonde daughters and a bohemian son with hair down to his waist.)
> 
>> On Tue, Nov 6, 2018 at 10:09 AM Leah Peterson  
>> wrote:
>>   Hello, friends!
>> 
>> You’ll remember I invited you at the end of my original post to report back 
>> here if you had followed the example of my benefactor and embraced any 
>> opportunities to be someone else’s. That invitation stands, and I am sure 
>> I’m not alone in saying I’d delight in reading your stories. 
>> 
>> I’ve heard from some of you (via PM) since this thread posted; little bits 
>> of kindness in daily life that you’ve been giving and how it makes you feel. 
>> It’s been so delightful - you really are the best.
>> 
>> I said I wanted to be sure not to let this generosity end with me, and I had 
>> my chance at it this morning. The story is in the works, and I will plant it 
>> here (complete with photos!) later today.
>> 
>> Meanwhile, here’s a Little Silver Clem photo that is sure to make anyone 
>> grin.
>> 
>> -- 
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>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>> > On Nov 4, 2018, at 11:49 AM, 'Deacon Patrick' via RBW Owners Bunch 
>> >  wrote:
>> > 
>> > Fantastic, Leah! Beautiful to read how much he loves his bike (and how 
>> > much he understands how its differences are a huge part of why he loves 
>> > it!)!
>> > 
>> > With abandon,
>> > Patrick 
>> > 
>> > -- 
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> 
> 
> -- 
> Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews.
> By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching.
> Other professional writing services.
> http://www.resumespecialties.com/
> Patrick Moore
> Alburquerque, New Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique
> 
> Auditis an me ludit 

Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[Leah Peterson]

Such a sweet story! Thank you for passing it my way.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 6, 2018, at 11:09 AM, Bernie Burton  wrote:
> 
> Leah-
> You reminded me of Maynard Hershons' classic article. See pg. 10. 
> http://assets.seattlepub.com:8020/SuperContainer/RawData/BicyclePaper/Issues/1995-10
> 
> Bernie
> 
>> On Tue, Nov 6, 2018 at 11:09 AM Leah Peterson  
>> wrote:
>>   Hello, friends!
>> 
>> You’ll remember I invited you at the end of my original post to report back 
>> here if you had followed the example of my benefactor and embraced any 
>> opportunities to be someone else’s. That invitation stands, and I am sure 
>> I’m not alone in saying I’d delight in reading your stories. 
>> 
>> I’ve heard from some of you (via PM) since this thread posted; little bits 
>> of kindness in daily life that you’ve been giving and how it makes you feel. 
>> It’s been so delightful - you really are the best.
>> 
>> I said I wanted to be sure not to let this generosity end with me, and I had 
>> my chance at it this morning. The story is in the works, and I will plant it 
>> here (complete with photos!) later today.
>> 
>> Meanwhile, here’s a Little Silver Clem photo that is sure to make anyone 
>> grin.
>> 
>> -- 
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
>> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
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>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>> > On Nov 4, 2018, at 11:49 AM, 'Deacon Patrick' via RBW Owners Bunch 
>> >  wrote:
>> > 
>> > Fantastic, Leah! Beautiful to read how much he loves his bike (and how 
>> > much he understands how its differences are a huge part of why he loves 
>> > it!)!
>> > 
>> > With abandon,
>> > Patrick 
>> > 
>> > -- 
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Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[Bernie Burton]

Leah-
You reminded me of Maynard Hershons' classic article. See pg. 10.
http://assets.seattlepub.com:8020/SuperContainer/RawData/BicyclePaper/Issues/1995-10

Bernie

On Tue, Nov 6, 2018 at 11:09 AM Leah Peterson 
wrote:

>   Hello, friends!
>
> You’ll remember I invited you at the end of my original post to report
> back here if you had followed the example of my benefactor and embraced any
> opportunities to be someone else’s. That invitation stands, and I am sure
> I’m not alone in saying I’d delight in reading your stories.
>
> I’ve heard from some of you (via PM) since this thread posted; little bits
> of kindness in daily life that you’ve been giving and how it makes you
> feel. It’s been so delightful - you really are the best.
>
> I said I wanted to be sure not to let this generosity end with me, and I
> had my chance at it this morning. The story is in the works, and I will
> plant it here (complete with photos!) later today.
>
> Meanwhile, here’s a Little Silver Clem photo that is sure to make anyone
> grin.
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
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> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Nov 4, 2018, at 11:49 AM, 'Deacon Patrick' via RBW Owners Bunch <
> rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com> wrote:
> >
> > Fantastic, Leah! Beautiful to read how much he loves his bike (and how
> much he understands how its differences are a huge part of why he loves
> it!)!
> >
> > With abandon,
> > Patrick
> >
> > --
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Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[Patrick Moore]

Good photo of your son, and the bike.

I don't know if I reported this on the RBW list, but a few months ago I
bought a Nashbar bike for a local man who had moved to the city and, having
found a job with the City of ABQ but having no money, was walking 8 1/2
miles each way to work. I also gave him basic kit to keep going, and
solicited donations on the boblist for lights, pump, etc, which came
through. He was pleased.

This was the instance of a man at our church, burly, hot-tempered
40-something, pure WASP, shaved head, goatee, wraparounds, ex white
supremacist and member of Aryan Brotherhood, in the '90s one of ABQ's top
criminals, who got tired of such foolishness, joined our church under the
patronage of St. Moses the Black (
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses_the_Black), and who "adopted" this
young man, who is black, as he has done with others. This ex WS likes
reggae, so his conversion is obviously complete.

Thanks again to those who donated to this project.

I also recently installed thornproof tubes with Slime in the tires of our
priest's son's (*) bike (donated by my brother -- old, lugged (!) Bianchi
with 24" wheels) after he kept getting the inevitable goathead flats. Have
just acquire new cantilver brakes to replace the binding ones he now has.

Patrick Moore, obviously letting his left hand know all about what his
right hand is doing, but you asked, in ABQ, NM.

(*) Nope, I'm not Catholic, obviously. OCA. (Funny: founding priest of our
parish, now dead, was a huge, bearded Irish/Scandinavian with a half-dozen
beautiful blonde daughters and a bohemian son with hair down to his waist.)

On Tue, Nov 6, 2018 at 10:09 AM Leah Peterson 
wrote:

>   Hello, friends!
>
> You’ll remember I invited you at the end of my original post to report
> back here if you had followed the example of my benefactor and embraced any
> opportunities to be someone else’s. That invitation stands, and I am sure
> I’m not alone in saying I’d delight in reading your stories.
>
> I’ve heard from some of you (via PM) since this thread posted; little bits
> of kindness in daily life that you’ve been giving and how it makes you
> feel. It’s been so delightful - you really are the best.
>
> I said I wanted to be sure not to let this generosity end with me, and I
> had my chance at it this morning. The story is in the works, and I will
> plant it here (complete with photos!) later today.
>
> Meanwhile, here’s a Little Silver Clem photo that is sure to make anyone
> grin.
>
> --
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>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Nov 4, 2018, at 11:49 AM, 'Deacon Patrick' via RBW Owners Bunch <
> rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com> wrote:
> >
> > Fantastic, Leah! Beautiful to read how much he loves his bike (and how
> much he understands how its differences are a huge part of why he loves
> it!)!
> >
> > With abandon,
> > Patrick
> >
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-- 
Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews.
By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching.
Other professional writing services.
http://www.resumespecialties.com/
Patrick Moore
Alburquerque, New Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique
**
**
*Auditis an me ludit amabilis insania?*

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Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[Leah Peterson]

  Hello, friends!

You’ll remember I invited you at the end of my original post to report back 
here if you had followed the example of my benefactor and embraced any 
opportunities to be someone else’s. That invitation stands, and I am sure I’m 
not alone in saying I’d delight in reading your stories. 

I’ve heard from some of you (via PM) since this thread posted; little bits of 
kindness in daily life that you’ve been giving and how it makes you feel. It’s 
been so delightful - you really are the best.

I said I wanted to be sure not to let this generosity end with me, and I had my 
chance at it this morning. The story is in the works, and I will plant it here 
(complete with photos!) later today.

Meanwhile, here’s a Little Silver Clem photo that is sure to make anyone grin.

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Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 4, 2018, at 11:49 AM, 'Deacon Patrick' via RBW Owners Bunch 
>  wrote:
> 
> Fantastic, Leah! Beautiful to read how much he loves his bike (and how much 
> he understands how its differences are a huge part of why he loves it!)!
> 
> With abandon,
> Patrick 
> 
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Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

['Deacon Patrick' via RBW Owners Bunch]

Fantastic, Leah! Beautiful to read how much he loves his bike (and how much he 
understands how its differences are a huge part of why he loves it!)!

With abandon,
Patrick 

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Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[tc]

Thanks, Leah. I hope they get more colors in - looks perfect!

Tom

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Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

Tom - I forgot to answer your question about the bag. It's an XS Saddlesack, 
sent to Ethan by another anonymous benefactor, who has that very bag and highly 
recommends it. Fits the essentials, and looks fantastic on that little frame!

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Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[Joe Bernard]

To clarify the saddle situation, it's already been Obenaufed a few times and 
ridden a while by me. I imagine it's still pretty stiff for Ethan's weight, but 
it'll break in quickly at the rate he's riding. 

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Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[Leah Peterson]

Mr. Tom,
What a fantastic letter - I can’t wait to read this to Ethan. Your points about 
using the bike without worry of beausage are spot on and we will adopt that 
mindset! The Clem truly is “A Tough Bike To Love.” Congrats on your 2nd Clem, 
and may there be a Clem L in your wife’s near future!
Leah

> On Oct 31, 2018, at 7:14 PM, tc  wrote:
> 
> Hey Ethan!
> 
> I'm really liking your Clem!  I'm wondering, which handlebar bag are you 
> using?  It looks to be just the right size ... not too big, not too small.  
> And the honey-colored Brooks saddle ... well ... I'm just sayin', it looks 
> super handsome (not pretty ... ugh).  I have a honey Brooks saddle on my 
> Clem, too.
> 
> So, crazy story here ... I had a Clem just like yours once.  Same color, just 
> a bit bigger.  I sold it, and pretty much regretted it ever since.  So, I got 
> another one!  Yep, folks think I'm kinda crazy, but oh well.  My wife 
> definitely thinks I'm crazy, but then, she loves my Clem :)  She thinks it 
> rides better than any of my bikes!  She has long legs like me, so she may 
> just get the same size as mine, but the "L" model.
> 
> I know the Brooks saddles take a while to break in, but they're worth it.  
> You need to take that saddle off every week and massage it with Proofide 
> every week for a while, pressing in hard with the heel of your hand, all over 
> the top.  Don't forget the underside, either.  Proofide will help protect the 
> bottom of the saddle from any water splashing up as you ride through puddles, 
> or in rain.  Get the edges, too. Doing this will not only protect the leather 
> from drying out, and from moisture, but it will also really help the saddle 
> loosen up over time and conform to the, ahem, shape of your backside.  And 
> the more you ride, the more your saddle will loosen up, and the better it'll 
> feel.  Eventually you won't need to Proofide it but 2 or 3 times a year...and 
> it will be the best-feeling saddle you've ever felt.
> 
> You're one lucky dude, and I know you know that.  I also know you're probably 
> scared of scratching it, or crashing it into something, or just messing 
> something up.  Don't worry.  The guy who designed your Clem (you probably 
> know about him by now, Mr. Grant Petersen) designed Clem's to be really 
> tough.  In fact, we all think he likes it better when people don't worry 
> about scratching or dinging their bikes because that means they're being 
> well-used.  I'm sure he would tell you to Just Ride that bike and have fun, 
> and don't worry about hurting it!  It can take it.
> 
> Anyway, just wanted to congratulate you on your new bike, and wish for you 
> many fun miles riding around on it!
> 
> Mr. Tom
> 
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Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[tc]

Hey Ethan!

I'm really liking your Clem!  I'm wondering, which handlebar bag are you 
using?  It looks to be just the right size ... not too big, not too small.  
And the honey-colored Brooks saddle ... well ... I'm just sayin', it looks 
super *handsome *(not pretty ... ugh).  I have a honey Brooks saddle on my 
Clem, too.

So, crazy story here ... I had a Clem just like yours once.  Same color, 
just a bit bigger.  I sold it, and pretty much regretted it ever since.  
So, I got another one!  Yep, folks think I'm kinda crazy, but oh well.  My 
wife definitely thinks I'm crazy, but then, she loves my Clem :)  She 
thinks it rides better than any of my bikes!  She has long legs like me, so 
she may just get the same size as mine, but the "L" model.

I know the Brooks saddles take a while to break in, but they're worth it.  
You need to take that saddle off every week and massage it with Proofide 
every week for a while, pressing in hard with the heel of your hand, all 
over the top.  Don't forget the underside, either.  Proofide will help 
protect the bottom of the saddle from any water splashing up as you ride 
through puddles, or in rain.  Get the edges, too. Doing this will not only 
protect the leather from drying out, and from moisture, but it will also 
really help the saddle loosen up over time and conform to the, ahem, shape 
of your backside.  And the more you ride, the more your saddle will loosen 
up, and the better it'll feel.  Eventually you won't need to Proofide it 
but 2 or 3 times a year...and it will be the best-feeling saddle you've 
ever felt.

You're one lucky dude, and I know you know that.  I also know you're 
probably scared of scratching it, or crashing it into something, or just 
messing something up.  Don't worry.  The guy who designed your Clem (you 
probably know about him by now, Mr. Grant Petersen) designed Clem's to be 
really tough.  In fact, we all think he likes it better when people don't 
worry about scratching or dinging their bikes because that means they're 
being well-used.  I'm sure he would tell you to Just Ride that bike and 
have fun, and don't worry about hurting it!  It can take it.

Anyway, just wanted to congratulate you on your new bike, and wish for you 
many fun miles riding around on it!

Mr. Tom

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Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[Leah Peterson]

He is, indeed, a dog. Who frequently gets called a “she.” And occasionally a 
cat. 藍

Sent from my iPad

> On Oct 21, 2018, at 9:02 PM, in Dallas nick  wrote:
> 
> 
> Or is that a dog, I couldn't quite tell from the back?
> 
> Either way cool for him or her to also enjoy the family fun.
> 
> Paul in Dallas
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Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[Joe Bernard]

It looks amazing! I'm so glad the saddle worked out (and got there on 
time)..honey is the perfect contrast to that silver/grilver.

PS. Sorry to y'all that I got name-dropped. I offered the saddle in an 
Instagram convo (public) so I couldn't go as stealth as the very cool 
Benefactor. Hats of to you, The Benefactor!

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Re: Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[Kainalu V.]

Awesome. And if he can wheelie that he'll wheelie anything! 
Happy wheeling...
-Kai
BKNY 

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Re: Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[REC (Roberta)]

Ethan looks as excited as you, and I am so excited for him and your other 
son, who you said will also be getting a "new" bike.  

Your benefactor certainly has made many people, including me, smile this 
week because of his generosity. 

Looking forward to more pictures of the bike and him having fun riding.

Roberta 
On Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at 11:14:09 PM UTC-4, Bicycle Belle Ding 
Ding! wrote:
>
>
> Today was the day! Signature required, so I put myself on house arrest for 
> the entire day so as not to miss it. Fueled by nervous excitement, I 
> cleaned. Nothing was safe in the frenzy - if we owned it, I cleaned it! 
> When 5:00 pm came, I was beginning to despair - there was no sign of a 
> FedEx truck and there was NOTHING left to clean! The tracking now said 
> “Scheduled delivery: pending. No scheduled delivery date.” I was about to 
> cancel tomorrow’s plans and had begun wondering if I would have to clean my 
> neighbors’ houses next when the doorbell rang. It was just before 7 and 
> there at the door stood two exhausted FedEx guys lugging a giant box with a 
> sharpie cat drawn on the top. The FedEx truck had broken down, but here 
> they were! 
>
> I hesitate to take anything out of the box as it is so expertly packed, 
> and I will be delivering it to the LBS to be assembled by people who know 
> what they are doing. But in the meantime, here is the proud new Clem owner 
> and his beaming mother, who both can hardly believe this is real. I’ll add 
> more photos and text as the bike is built and the rider gets in the saddle. 
> Thanks again to our Benefactor, who planned and executed this adventure, 
> before it was ever a thought in our minds. You are the giver of wonderful 
> and lasting things, my friend. We will follow your example.
>
> Say hello to the #SilverClem! 
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>
>  
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Oct 17, 2018, at 10:39 AM, Pondero > 
> wrote:
>
>
> Thank you for this uplifting story.  I always enjoy stories like this.  
> They inspire me to be better than I am.
>
> The funny thing about this story is that when I read it, I thought to 
> myself...I know people who would do something like this!  So, when I 
> remembered the high quality of my friends, I was doubly blessed by your 
> account.
>
> Chris Johnson
> Sanger, Texas
>
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>
>

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Re: Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[Joe Bernard]

This is so wonderful! I love the "pointing at you" pic 

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Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[Leah Peterson]

Hi Everyone, it was so fun to read your responses today. I loved your poems and 
stories and thoughts (some private, some posted) and savored them along with a 
mug of strong, hot coffee. It felt like a group celebration among kindred 
spirits; my joy was made complete. Anyone would be moved by the generosity in 
this story, but unless they know and love Rivendell they can’t fully know the 
heights of our joy., can they? Thank you for being part of it! 

I hear the bike is shipping late next week, so it will be awhile before I’ve 
got proper photos and a ride report (from a 12 year old!). Gosh, I think video 
would be a good format for that...is that possible on here? 

Well, meanwhile, Ethan is in raptures over here and is getting behind in 
pre-algebra as a result. “Mom, I daydream about my Clem and taking it to 
Minneapolis this summer on those trails [to the falls there] and then I realize 
10 minutes have gone by and I’m lost in math!” But it’s my younger son who’s 
really lamenting the wait. He wants the handed-down Hotrock YESTERDAY but it’s 
technically Ethan’s until the mini Clem arrives. The Hotrock has a rack and 
basket and a Captain Hook net which Lincoln has hotly coveted, apparently. 
Lincoln has a fresh brass jingle bell that I ordered from Riv to make the bike 
his own. He learned how to make a double figure 8 knot and then rigged it to 
his bars. You know how dogs pee on what’s “theirs”? I think it’s like that. 
Tomorrow there will be a fight because “you can’t ride that bike because that’s 
my jingle bell and I don’t want you using it.” 

Lastly, if one must await their little Clem, they can at least have a picture...


Sent from my iPad

> On Oct 10, 2018, at 2:30 PM, Andrew Letton  wrote:
> 
> Tears of joy... :-)
> Thank you for sharing the story, Leah.
> And thank you to the benefactor for demonstrating that there is still good in 
> this crazy world.
> Cheers,
> Andrew in Sydney
> 
> 
> From: Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> To: RBW Owners Bunch  
> Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2018 1:59 AM
> Subject: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor
> 
> A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor: A True and Heartwarming Rivendell Tale
> 
> If you are living here and now, you probably notice a scarcity of kindness 
> and generosity. You aren’t sure how we got here and how to change it, and 
> also, you’re exhausted. What can we really do? This is a story that turns 
> one’s typical experience on its head - a story that takes the word kind and 
> stretches it, tests it, transforms it. In this story, we see the word 
> kindness become generosity.
> 
> Generous. When was the last time someone was generous with you? So generous 
> you stood there, nonplussed and humbled? Merriam-Webster defines the word 
> generous as “liberal in giving: openhanded.” I will tack onto that definition 
> from the Book of Leah: “giving until it pinches a bit; the kind of giving 
> that costs one something; giving without expectation for something in return; 
> a higher form of kindness.” (Also, there would be some stuff about Jesus in 
> there, but this is not that forum so I will refrain, but it will be hard.)
> 
> Where you find generosity, there you will find kindness, also.
> 
> This is a story about a benefactor. This is a story about a boy. And finally, 
> this is a story about a bike. Your icing on the cake: this is a story about a 
> convergence of the three. 
> 
> I had found myself in need of a bigger bike for my 12 year old son, Ethan. He 
> had ridden his Specialized Hotrock from 1st grade until now, his 7th grade 
> year. In kid years, that’s a coon’s age to have ridden one bike. We ride to 
> school every week, 2 miles one way, and we need  dependable, quality bikes to 
> do it. Bikes for pre-teens are rare as hen’s teeth; but you know this. The 
> company I was depending on for a kids’ bicycle had suddenly closed its doors, 
> so I turned to the Riv List, as is my custom. Though disappointed about 
> losing my first choice, I knew I’d be shown the right places to shop, and be 
> on my way with the problem solved. 
> 
> This is exactly what happened. I reached out, people were kind, I took a 
> recommendation, and I ordered a bike with a bullet-proof return policy. 
> Several days went by, and then one night I decided to clean out my email. In 
> my Junk folder, there was an email I had never seen, from several days prior, 
> and this is what it said:
> 
> “If you are second guessing yourself, and humble enough to accept a generous 
> gift for one of my favorite riding families; if you would accept a 45cm Clem 
> to pass down to your boys I would happily cover the difference between the 
> Woom you ordered and the mini Clem to help RBW. My only request is that if 
> you accept; to keep me anonymous.”
> 
> Let that sink in. Do you know what he’s saying? Look again...read it a few 
> times...see if you can believe it. He had to spell it out for me when I 
> couldn’t get my mind around it. Emails. A phone call: Take the 

Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[Andrew Letton]

Tears of joy... :-)Thank you for sharing the story, Leah.And thank you to the 
benefactor for demonstrating that there is still good in this crazy 
world.Cheers,Andrew in Sydney

  From: Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
 To: RBW Owners Bunch  
 Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2018 1:59 AM
 Subject: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor
   
A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor: A True and Heartwarming Rivendell Tale

If you are living here and now, you probably notice a scarcity of kindness and 
generosity. You aren’t sure how we got here and how to change it, and also, 
you’re exhausted. What can we really do? This is a story that turns one’s 
typical experience on its head - a story that takes the word kind and stretches 
it, tests it, transforms it. In this story, we see the word kindness become 
generosity.

Generous. When was the last time someone was generous with you? So generous you 
stood there, nonplussed and humbled? Merriam-Webster defines the word generous 
as “liberal in giving: openhanded.” I will tack onto that definition from the 
Book of Leah: “giving until it pinches a bit; the kind of giving that costs one 
something; giving without expectation for something in return; a higher form of 
kindness.” (Also, there would be some stuff about Jesus in there, but this is 
not that forum so I will refrain, but it will be hard.)

Where you find generosity, there you will find kindness, also.

This is a story about a benefactor. This is a story about a boy. And finally, 
this is a story about a bike. Your icing on the cake: this is a story about a 
convergence of the three. 

I had found myself in need of a bigger bike for my 12 year old son, Ethan. He 
had ridden his Specialized Hotrock from 1st grade until now, his 7th grade 
year. In kid years, that’s a coon’s age to have ridden one bike. We ride to 
school every week, 2 miles one way, and we need  dependable, quality bikes to 
do it. Bikes for pre-teens are rare as hen’s teeth; but you know this. The 
company I was depending on for a kids’ bicycle had suddenly closed its doors, 
so I turned to the Riv List, as is my custom. Though disappointed about losing 
my first choice, I knew I’d be shown the right places to shop, and be on my way 
with the problem solved. 

This is exactly what happened. I reached out, people were kind, I took a 
recommendation, and I ordered a bike with a bullet-proof return policy. Several 
days went by, and then one night I decided to clean out my email. In my Junk 
folder, there was an email I had never seen, from several days prior, and this 
is what it said:

“If you are second guessing yourself, and humble enough to accept a generous 
gift for one of my favorite riding families; if you would accept a 45cm Clem to 
pass down to your boys I would happily cover the difference between the Woom 
you ordered and the mini Clem to help RBW. My only request is that if you 
accept; to keep me anonymous.”

Let that sink in. Do you know what he’s saying? Look again...read it a few 
times...see if you can believe it. He had to spell it out for me when I 
couldn’t get my mind around it. Emails. A phone call: Take the money you 
planned to spend on the other bike; put it into a little Clem, the rest is 
covered. This is a Benefactor, proposing a deal that costs him to bless 
another. An openhanded giver, giving so that it pinches. 

When was the last time someone was generous to you? 

Once I understood, there was a choice to make. What did the Benefactor ask? Am 
I humble enough to accept a generous offer - that was his question. 
Reflexively: I am not, and this is pride. I don’t deserve a Benefactor. I 
didn’t earn this bike. I haven’t done anything for this man. I won’t likely 
have a chance to repay him for his kindness. How can I make it equal? Fair to 
him? Say no, said my pride.

When was the last time someone was generous to you? Did you allow it?

So we spoke on the phone. We had a lovely discussion about who he is and how he 
arrived at this idea, and why he sent the email. Then I realized: my Benefactor 
wasn’t looking to make it equal. He was aiming for quite the opposite.

When was the last time someone took less so you could have more? 

I spoke to Ethan this morning, asked him what he thought. It was Christmas in 
October around here - there was actual jumping for joy. “I never thought I’d 
have a Rivendell!”  Humbled, I agreed to the deal. Our Benefactor took care of 
everything. He made the call, placed the order, sent me an email with an order 
confirmation, and now there’s a little silver mini-Clem, pony-like and lovely, 
with a boy’s name on it, sent from a Benefactor he can never repay.

When was the last time you were generous to someone who would never repay you?

Today, inexplicably, we were on the receiving end of a grand gesture. I don’t 
know that our Benefactor can truly know the depths at which we feel this. I 
will tell this story, keep his secret, and he will read about it. There will be 
photos of Peterson 

Re: [RBW] A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor

[Patrick Moore]

I am impressed, all the more by the donor's insistence on anonymity.

Will you please post photos of the mini-Clem and ride report (from your
son)?

On Wed, Oct 10, 2018 at 8:59 AM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <
jonasandle...@gmail.com> wrote:

> A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor: A True and Heartwarming Rivendell Tale
>
> If you are living here and now, you probably notice a scarcity of kindness
> and generosity. You aren’t sure how we got here and how to change it, and
> also, you’re exhausted. What can we really do? This is a story that turns
> one’s typical experience on its head - a story that takes the word kind and
> stretches it, tests it, transforms it. In this story, we see the word
> kindness become generosity.
>
> Generous. When was the last time someone was generous with you? So
> generous you stood there, nonplussed and humbled? Merriam-Webster defines
> the word generous as “liberal in giving: openhanded.” I will tack onto that
> definition from the Book of Leah: “giving until it pinches a bit; the kind
> of giving that costs one something; giving without expectation for
> something in return; a higher form of kindness.” (Also, there would be some
> stuff about Jesus in there, but this is not that forum so I will refrain,
> but it will be hard.)
>
> Where you find generosity, there you will find kindness, also.
>
> This is a story about a benefactor. This is a story about a boy. And
> finally, this is a story about a bike. Your icing on the cake: this is a
> story about a convergence of the three.
>
> I had found myself in need of a bigger bike for my 12 year old son, Ethan.
> He had ridden his Specialized Hotrock from 1st grade until now, his 7th
> grade year. In kid years, that’s a coon’s age to have ridden one bike. We
> ride to school every week, 2 miles one way, and we need  dependable,
> quality bikes to do it. Bikes for pre-teens are rare as hen’s teeth; but
> you know this. The company I was depending on for a kids’ bicycle had
> suddenly closed its doors, so I turned to the Riv List, as is my custom.
> Though disappointed about losing my first choice, I knew I’d be shown the
> right places to shop, and be on my way with the problem solved.
>
> This is exactly what happened. I reached out, people were kind, I took a
> recommendation, and I ordered a bike with a bullet-proof return policy.
> Several days went by, and then one night I decided to clean out my email.
> In my Junk folder, there was an email I had never seen, from several days
> prior, and this is what it said:
>
> “If you are second guessing yourself, and humble enough to accept a
> generous gift for one of my favorite riding families; if you would accept a
> 45cm Clem to pass down to your boys I would happily cover the difference
> between the Woom you ordered and the mini Clem to help RBW. My only request
> is that if you accept; to keep me anonymous.”
>
> Let that sink in. Do you know what he’s saying? Look again...read it a few
> times...see if you can believe it. He had to spell it out for me when I
> couldn’t get my mind around it. Emails. A phone call: Take the money you
> planned to spend on the other bike; put it into a little Clem, the rest is
> covered. This is a Benefactor, proposing a deal that costs him to bless
> another. An openhanded giver, giving so that it pinches.
>
> When was the last time someone was generous to you?
>
> Once I understood, there was a choice to make. What did the Benefactor
> ask? Am I humble enough to accept a generous offer - that was his question.
> Reflexively: I am not, and this is pride. I don’t deserve a Benefactor. I
> didn’t earn this bike. I haven’t done anything for this man. I won’t likely
> have a chance to repay him for his kindness. How can I make it equal? Fair
> to him? Say no, said my pride.
>
> When was the last time someone was generous to you? Did you allow it?
>
> So we spoke on the phone. We had a lovely discussion about who he is and
> how he arrived at this idea, and why he sent the email. Then I realized: my
> Benefactor wasn’t looking to make it equal. He was aiming for quite the
> opposite.
>
> When was the last time someone took less so you could have more?
>
> I spoke to Ethan this morning, asked him what he thought. It was Christmas
> in October around here - there was actual jumping for joy. “I never thought
> I’d have a Rivendell!”  Humbled, I agreed to the deal. Our Benefactor took
> care of everything. He made the call, placed the order, sent me an email
> with an order confirmation, and now there’s a little silver mini-Clem,
> pony-like and lovely, with a boy’s name on it, sent from a Benefactor he
> can never repay.
>
> When was the last time you were generous to someone who would never repay
> you?
>
> Today, inexplicably, we were on the receiving end of a grand gesture. I
> don’t know that our Benefactor can truly know the depths at which we feel
> this. I will tell this story, keep his secret, and he will read about it.
> There will be photos of