But Hey, I Still Like This Job

        I made an announcement on my shop fb page a couple weeks ago that I am willing to sell the bicycle shop, or a portion thereof, so that I can go out in the world self-propelled on two wheels far more often than I presently do. I'm in no hurry to get this done.
        I really like my job, even after twenty-five years of smelling tire rubber and TriFlow (bananas). I've had a few offers (everybody wants a bargain) and they are not even close. I have 400K in inventory and real property here. Nurturing the name and reputation for 45 years and running a business that has always been "in the black" has to be worth that much again. Oh well, someone will come along that understands the true value of a low footprint, Quiet Mtn Sports, cycling promotional enterprise like Bodfish Bicycles.
        Even though my only child is off conquering and video-recording fun and fabulous events around the planet,  he may, one day crave the smell of Indonesian produced rubber. I really can't give this creation away. Do you know how many thousands of people have attempted to start and maintain a bicycle oriented business over the last twenty-five years and failed? Many more than have been successful.
        The other option, besides selling, is to just work the hours that I want to work, the days that I want to work. the months that I want to work...and go ride my bicycle when I want to. The customers, they will adjust and be thankful for the times that I am here.
        The suppliers actually care less about 'brick and mortar' stores than they ever have (while they still have a usable internet) but,  they need us to make sense of the local cycling scene, we do an incredible amount of interpretive work that you won't find on YouTube.  Cycle shops are seeing a big increase in bicycle set-ups with cables routed in a cattywampus direction, forks on backward, wheels improperly installed and brakes that have little chance of stopping one in an emergency. We don't just sell bicycles and parts for bicycles, we perform miracles every week...and our customers tell us this.

Swimming In My Own Sweat

        I've been known to sweat profusely...especially when laboring at my shop or climbing one of the local roads or trails when it's hovering in the 90's (because it never gets to 100 degrees in Chester). I can usually remedy this situation with a quick dip in the river, lake or even in my "cold plunge" hot tub at home. However, it's Winter and I'm thankful for any heat that develops in the bike shop.
        My mornings often include a 45 minute session in our TheraSauna. It's a corner cabinet of far- infrared heat therapy that has become a necessary part of my life. Not everyone can appreciate "the workout" it provides. In fact, not everyone can perspire freely...I've had a dozen different sauna buddies over the years and I'm amazed that only half of them have gotten seriously sweaty while we share this space.
        The conversations are often easy and free-flowing...just as the Finns claim, the sauna is a great place for people to expose their true feelings and concerns. Finnish parents utilize this valuable family time to keep track of their teenager's progress and concerns. I thank everyone who has spent time in the sauna with me. You are showing your love, trust and non-judgemental nature by sharing this time to evacuate the toxins with me in this intimate setting.
        The last couple of mornings in the sauna have been especially important. I've been moving kayaks, electric bicycles and furniture... and I've driven two thousand miles in the last week and a half. So, as you can imagine, a couple of hours of quiet sweaty meditation in the TheraSauna has been a life saver. Back, neck, shoulder and hip rehabilitation is an effective specialty of the far-infrared dry sauna and I need this kind of therapy four or five times a year.

You've Got To Keep Moving

        I read once that sitting is bad for your health and sitting for long periods will absolutely kill you. Most often when I am at work (or on my computer) I am standing, squatting or squirreling around the shop like a man on a mission. I very seldom sit. I usually get about three hours of "sit time" in the evening while watching TV... however, I make a point of rising at least every fifteen minutes to do small errands around the house (get a new log for the fire, make a cup of tea, survey the property, let the dog out, let the dog in).
        I've been friends with a fellow named Jack for 30 years. He's a cyclist who migrated north to Chester in his 63rd year of life after a career as a body man (on cars) near Glendora, Ca. He made an impression on me that I'll never shake...he was mated to his roadbike like a pro-peloton cyclist and his motto was; "You've got to be smooth and you have got to keep moving." Jack is now 93 years young and when he steps into the bicycle shop where I work, he dances in...kind of sideways like he has a 40's Jazz tune playing in his head.
        I'm thinking that driving a motor vehicle is one of those things that will kill you...and unless you are a residential delivery milkman, you will always be sitting when you drive. I ride my bicycle to and from work nearly every day and as I said, I seldom sit at work, so, as you can see, I am planning to live into my nineties like Jack...one problem, I don't dance as well or as often as Jack but, I do like older Jazz.
       We have numerous gadgets that keep track of our steps, our blood pressure and count our beats per minute, generally trying to inspire us to keep moving. However, there are many more gadgets that discourage movement...presenting a screen that demands attention and distorts our awareness of the 'here and now'. In fact, these screens demand that we split our attention so that we even lose track of the task at hand (like driving, or cooking, or parenting).
       Generally, I'm saying that this 'digital age' discourages us from dancing, cycling and hiking through the days we have left. So, when you think about it, it's really no surprise that the lifespans of 'civilized' people has been shortening during this 21st century.