Blogtown, PDX

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Portland Thank You Citybikes People For Not Making Me Feel Like A Loser Moron

Posted by Matt Davis on Wed, Apr 9 at 3:49 PM

I had a flat tire on my bike this morning, which ordinarily I would pay someone to deal with, but today, for some reason, I decided I would repair myself, taking it to the Citybikes shop on 20th and SE Ankeny. I have my prejudices about bikers in this town, having been made to feel like a loser on several occasions by those cliquey types (as in the ones with the clicky shoes) you see outside coffee shops where the sandwiches are $9, or, er Stumptown. While I’m happy confronting police officers or city commissioners about their failure to act within city policy or, occasionally, THE LAW, I was extremely scared to go into Citybikes this morning, fearing a dressing down by the cool police. To this end, I wore a tie, and my tweed jacket, and thought “fuck it.”

To my surprise there was not a down-nose-looking to be found. The people in there were actually nice, and lent me tire-levers, and only charged me $4.50, and even let me wash my hands afterwards in their back room sink. I am considering giving out awards for this kind of nice behavior in Portland, especially in environments where one might least expect it. Not all serious biker people are assholes! Who knew!? Now, when I squeeze my back tire, I well up with pride, rather than freshly inflicted hate wounds. All thanks to Citybikes.

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Comments

They rock! I was in two days ago to realign my rear brake, after I stupidly got a bungee cord caught in the back tire the night before. The gal who helped me didn't even raise her eyebrows, just fixed it, and showed me how to fix it myself if it gets out of whack again. Which, given what a klutz I am (see above), it will.

Posted by Amy J. Ruiz | April 9, 2008 3:54 PM

a person with lesser optimism than you and me would say it's because they've made a calculated decision that acting like cunts to people who come in there wanting service and not having a ton of expertise with bikes (ie. the majority of their clients) isn't good for business.

but, i'll just leave that to be said with someone, like i said, with less faith in humanity.

Posted by lyle | April 9, 2008 4:11 PM

'lesser optimism'? uggh.

Posted by lyle | April 9, 2008 4:12 PM

Definite thumbs-up to Citybikes folks as competent, thoughtful folks providing friendly, affordable service.

If only I still lived on Ankeny! Of course, now I get good service from the folks at North Portland BikeWorks. Hooray for bike shops!

Posted by Evan Manvel | April 9, 2008 5:29 PM

Dear CityBikes,

I love you, and hereby put forth my marriage proposal via blogtown, PDX. CityBikes, will you Marry me?

Zac

Posted by zac | April 9, 2008 6:30 PM

no, creep.

Posted by citybikes | April 9, 2008 7:53 PM

In my vast experience I have found the biggest asshole bike riders to be bike messengers and other biking advocate Nazi's. You know the ones who think everyone, even grandma with a walker, whould ride a bike, especially the wrong way down a one way street. And stops signes are only meant for cars.

Posted by BS | April 10, 2008 7:45 AM

shoot.

Posted by zac | April 10, 2008 2:08 PM