Phoenix Bikes -- Volunteers

John Harpold

admin — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:32:00 -0700

John has worked in bike shops and race teams since he was 14. he was fixing flats and tearing up headsets and trails long before then. With voluminous knowledge of parts, bike vintages, and riding needs, as well as experience working in outdoor education, he is just the man to head our shop programs and service. Come in and ask him a question - any question.

Colin Dixon

admin — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:39:23 -0700

Log 8.30.08:
A long day at the shop, though every Saturday is pretty crazy, so to be expected.... Scrambled through repairs, sales, helping youth mechanics, and getting bikes back into the shop, then jumped on the Merccx and hightailed to Roslyn with new volunteer, James....

Planet Arlington generously invited us to staff the water and HonesTea booth, publicizing our organization and sharing in some of the proceeds. Was a perfect afternoon after a couple days of rain – hot, but clear over the Potomac. Grass was green as could be. Music was good, and I had a blast hanging out with volunteers who put in tons of work. I was hoarse by 6 o’clock, with hours left to play.

The youth mechanics had joined the Saturday ride and helped out at our water booth and the World Playground, working with smaller kids to create bike-illuminating art with bike sculpture extraordinaire, Luke Idziak. Robel, Osman, John, and Ryan rode up with John, and left early. Aaron and Sami hung around for the duration.

Aaron is a businessman in the making (perhaps already made) and took over the cash drawer, deeming my own efforts to slow. When a younger kid asked about who the green mountain bike with a big front suspension fork and glowing back wheel belonged to, Aaron had a chance to explain how he had built it from the frame up, getting a piece from his brother and earning parts from the shop. The boy’s mouth literally dropped open when Aaron, in response to a question said, “No, I’m not in college! I’m in middle school – I’m 14.”

Sami shuttled back and forth between the art booth and drinks – racing up to help Luke and coming back, still with a broad smile, for a short break when the swarm of kids had given him a headache. They had called their parents, but it was still getting late. Reid and I led them out of the Memorial park, but going through Roslyn, Reid flatted and had to bale, back to his sister with a car.

Sami took his rear blinkie and I took the lead as we slipped onto the Mt Vernon trail around 10 o’clock. There was nothing on the river. A couple runners, and the spinning blue wheel on Aaron’s bike and the glowing eyes of Sami’s LED frog behind me. The dark cemetery, then Crystal City lights on our right. A still river and the sites of DC on our left. Quiet – just the rushing wind of our travel down the path and the shout of ‘bump” when we encountered a rough patch in the pavement.

Under GW parkway, on the 4 mile run trail, the water was glass. The reflection made the concrete pillars look as if they extended miles downward, breaking no surface. Only occasionally the sound of our ticking freewheels or our tires across a bit of sand or gravel. Over 395. Warm air changed to cool as we got into the woods on the last section of the ride. Skidding into the shop, checking time, and heading to our respective homes.

Winding my way back to DC, couldn't help but be proud of Sami, getting used to the shifters and position of the road bike he earned and working hard to make sure that everyone always had the help he needed. Always a huge smile and ready to listen and learn. Proud of Aaron, sitting with his helmet and gloves on to protect against the mosquitoes, looking for ways to help things run smoothly, always thinking ahead and aware of what people were doing and thinking. Proud of all the riders and mechanics we see come into the shop, for being willing to take on a new challenge, learn something foreign, go someplace they haven’t been before, and extend a hand to someone they haven’t met.

There are some long days. But heading home, I was amazed that I get to be a part of some incredible people’s lives. From volunteers to youth mechanics to the cyclists that come into the shop and families that pass by….

Michael G

Colin — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:09:23 -0800

likes riding in sandals, likes night riding, loves Mexico!

Kenny Slater

admin — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:03:34 -0700

Veteran of Arlington and co-founder of Phoenix Bikes, Kenny swings through to lead rides and inspire with bike tricks and good humor.

Andrea Hamre

admin — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:51:16 -0700

Phoenix is one of the best things that has happened to me in 2008 - in so many ways, it has helped cement cycling as a way of life for me. Each youth mechanic has a unique story to tell and new ways to grow, the volunteers are so dedicated, and the staff never cease to amaze me with their sustained work ethic, skills, and kindness.
Through Phoenix, I've met so many great people passionate about cycling and healthy communities, including the Honorable Walter Tejada, our Arlington County Board Chairman. I'm so appreciative of the new skills I've learned, and have gained a lot of new confidence when performing repairs and working with tools. Looking ahead, my goal is to keep learning new bike maintenance skills, so that I can contribute more to the bike-building efforts at the shop. Phoenix is always a reminder, for me, that teaching and learning so often go hand in hand, and that we can all contribute to building healthy communities.

Dan Koenig, Instruction Night Coordinator

admin — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 06:52:21 -0700

Phoenix bikes is an awesome community asset for kids and adults.

Mr Matt

admin — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:14:44 -0700

Here's Matt with two amazing bikes he donated to the shop - one that he rode cross-country on!

Jonathan, Volunteer Night Coordinator

admin — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:03:14 -0700

Reid

admin — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:53:51 -0700

Lee Johnson

admin — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:41:55 -0700

Lee joined Phoenix for its first summer and fall, then headed off to work in Indonesia, where he's still riding down very steep things.