Wait, what?
Believe it or not, I didn’t panic.
I didn’t start calling every bike shop in the greater San Francisco area to try to procure a new bike.
I paused.
I listened.
I told Kevin I’d come back after lunch to take a look.
To be clear, this was my 9th Million Dollar Challenge. Kevin and I have known each other for some time. He’s an exceptional wrench (mechanic), a great leader for his team of mechanics, and always seems to be smiling. I TRUSTED him that we would find a solution so that I would be on a bike in less than 18 hours for the start of our 650-mile journey down the coast.
Sure enough, Southwest Airlines had not been kind to my carbon fiber frame, and there was no way I would be able to ride my bike. As “luck” would have it, Kevin had a few “loaner” bikes on hand (in case of a rider mechanical). He adjusted the fit, swapped my wheels, my saddle – even my “signature red” bottle cages on this loaner. I was immensely grateful. |