Hurricane Sandy cut power to Main street in Hastings for a week, leaving our bike shop closed and dark.  After a few days of inactivity, the manager sent out an email, saying that they would open the shop during daylight.  The mechanic, Bob Flint, would move his workstand to the plate glass windows in front and try to help anyone who needed it.  James, the store clerk, was ready to help people accessorize, while the manager, Stan Avedon, was going to hold the morning ride and then come back to the store.

I loved it.

Too many days of hauling debris while I wondered when the schools would re-open.  The idea that the bike shop would open — even without power — meant that the lighter side of life was ready to return.  My wife and I hauled our daughter and a friend out to the trails to make sure they were clear, but we stopped by the bike shop to make sure they had  a few friendly faces to chat with in the dark.  I took a quick portrait of each one to post here.  It’s my way of saying thank you to them for boldly saying that cycling is a part of life and has to transcend storm and mishap.  Here are the bike shop guys from Hastings Velo…and a recipe for cocoa that’s passably similar to what I brought them that afternoon.