Kind Motorist and Everest Cycles, Bray

zico10

I follow boards a lot, without making much in the way of posts, but the following happened during the week, that I think deserves being mentioned.
I was cycling up to Roundwood, when I suffered a blow out. The bead of my tyre had become seperated from the sidewall and there was no way, that by just replacing the tube, I was going to get home.
I began walking with my bike back down to the N11, where I planned on ringing someone to come to my rescue. A motorist, who was driving up to Roundwood, saw me heading in the opposite direction and did a U-turn to offer some help. After explaining my plight, he kindly drove myself and my bike to a bike shop in Bray. Had no real way to thank him, but it just goes to show that there are some nice people out there.
Anyway once in the bike shop, Everest Cycles, I explained to owner what had happened and that I needed a new tire. Unfortunately I had no money or cards on me and I told owner that I had no way of paying him, there and then. The owner, Tommy, had never seen me before and had no idea who I was. Nonetheless he gave me the new tire, trusting I would drop in with the money on another occasion. With the new tire on bike, I cycled out of his shop, without having paid him or even given him my name.
I guess you can always depend on the kindness of strangers.

The_Morrigan

Such a great story, its nice to hear tales like that when normally all you hear is tales of gloom.

hunnymonster

great Friday story. Thanks.

jb-ski

zico10 wrote: »

Anyway once in the bike shop, Everest Cycles, I explained to owner what had happened and that I needed a new tire. Unfortunately I had no money or cards on me and I told owner that I had no way of paying him, there and then. The owner, Tommy, had never seen me before and had no idea who I was. Nonetheless he gave me the new tire, trusting I would drop in with the money on another occasion. With the new tire on bike, I cycled out of his shop, without having paid him or even given him my name.

but i bet you could have got the same tyre 20cent cheaper on some offshore, online shop,blah, blah....!:)

Great story, more evidence why we need to support shops in the 'real' world.

well done.

Wicklowrider

Tommy has two local bike shops in Bray. I honestly don't know how he makes a living because he charges far too little for labour and all too often does favours. I've bought 3 bikes from him, the latest being a road bike for my wife. While Tommy did discount the bike to the internet price it was the backup that counted more. The back wheel was faulty and after returning and having it replaced the new wheel was also faulty. Tommy replaced BOTH wheels with handbuilt CXP's! this on a bike he sold me for €650.
Also, a few years ago I was knocked down by a dozy motorist and taken to hospital. Tommy & Ken - his sidekick, took the bike from my wife and trued the wheels, fixed the brake and replaced the saddle - and then wouldn't take a penny. They said I'd had enough bad luck! I could go on all day about them ... the time tommy took €60 out of the till and handed to one of the Bray Wheelers towards the RAS team expenses ... it goes on and on. I've seen ken drop everything when he was really busy and replace a tube in a pram for a woman. You won't find kinderand more honest people in the business.

zico10

Just as a follow on to my story and to add to comments made by Wicklowrider, when I went back to shop, to pay for tyre, I thought it only fair to spend a bit more money with them.
It was in the second of Tommy's bike shops that I ended up. Anyway I was at the till ready to pay, when the guy at the till asked if I was in Bray Wheelers or Wicklow Tri Club. I told him that I wasn't and he asked if I was in any club. I told him I was in 3D in Dublin and on hearing this he gave me a 10% discount. I can understand why he'd offer a discount to local cycling or triathlon club members, but I doubt there are too many 3D members down around Bray, that would be giving him much business. He had already made the sale and there was absolutely no need for him to offer a discount.
This and the comments from Wicklowrider, show that the first act of generosity they showed towards me, was not a once off or at all out of character.

Cabaal

Fantastic story, good to know there's such nice people in the world,
fair fecks to the bike shop for doing that

devotional1993

great story-he is a sound bloke-was in the shops a few times. He is or was running an open day in the shop with lots of offers etc and kids stuff. Saw this on a flyer over the urinals in the Porterhouse bray of all places!

daymobrew

That was a great story - fair play to the motorist and Tommy.

I recommend that you carry a spare tyre next time, and, of course, some money.

rebel.ranter

Great that you took the time to post up your good experience here. People are always more inclined to broadcast bad experiences but I think the good ones are far more important.

zico10

daymobrew wrote: »

I recommend that you carry a spare tyre next time, and, of course, some money.

Some money probably, spare tyre though, I can't imagine, with the exception of touring, there are too many people who do this. Are there?

daymobrew

zico10 wrote: »

Some money probably, spare tyre though, I can't imagine, with the exception of touring, there are too many people who do this. Are there?

OP might now

Wicklow 200 organisers recommend bringing 2 tubes and a spare tyre. Ring of Kerry charity cycle only says 2 tubes.

On short cycles I have pump/tube/tyre levers. I'll carry the tyre on longer, remote cycles.
I have the Park Tool Emergency Tyre Boot to fix big tyre problems.