Be careful when you offer...........

[Sparrow]

So a few months ago, a young urchin (neighbour) knocked on my door.. "I see you are interested in bikes. I am too, could I help you with them and working on them?" He has been "helping" me approx three times a day since.. I sent him to the local cycle club, who very kindly loaned him a club bike. It is beautiful, a Brian Rourke with full Campy groupset. Unf, not much TLC has been lavished upon it since it found its way into the club library. So, being a "decent sort of bloke" (=idiot), I said to the club that I would service it, by way of repayment for the loan of such a beauty....
I have spent quite some time and called in some long forgotten favours. Campy BB (scrounged from a top-notch lbs's parts bin), new (used) Campy Rear mech, scrounged from a different LBS's mechanic's bin, new chain, complete new cables, brakeset serviced, he needed a slightly longer stem, which he bought from Planet X for £2.00, but which needed strip and renew bar tape and cables. My parts bin has been ravaged. I don't know why I am writing this... But I know that some of you will understand...

 

[Sparrow]

I sometimes feel that I am like one of those older ladies, who cannot walk by a kitten or a donkey without wishing to adopt it.

 

[hamster]

You never know, he may be on his way to greater things...and one day as he stands on a podium you will know you played a part in it.

Failing that, you may have stopped him getting into trouble.

Relax and enjoy a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

 

[02gf74]

.... or he may be checking out your shed for stuff to steal. Never let pikies see your stuff.

 

[hamster]

Oh please. He's a neighbour.

 

[RickTheUncivil]

yep, been there, helping out the neighbours lad. He was round every five minutes for an entire summer talking bikes. It did get a bit tiresome but I did my best to encourage him. Have moved house since then so dont know if it had any lasting influence but I like to think I did no harm

 

[The History Man]

Karma is Karma is karma.


Good for you.

 

[02gf74]

Oh please. He's a neighbour.

was kidding but beware sometimes they can be the worst!!

 

[hamster]

Agreed...one rusting Mercedes van left by my back gate. Not moved in 3 months.

 

[Sparrow]

Interestingly opposed views on the human condition! When I said that I was like a lady with kittens and donkeys, I was referring to neglected bicycles, I don't make a habit of collecting neighbour's children! The young person in question (age 11) seems like a fine boy, if perhaps slightly "focused"