WD-56

One of the things my wife loves to do is search through Facebook Marketplace and look for free bikes. Not for herself, but for me. When she finds one, she shows it to me and if it shows promise, then we drive over there and we pick it up together. I love doing this because it gives me a chance to restore old bikes, making sure that they are not simply thrown into the dump but instead upgraded and placed into the hands of those who need them. And I happen to make a bit of profit doing so, which makes it all the sweeter.

Recently, we got three bikes from the nicest lady who was hoping that she would find someone who could bring the bikes back to life. Turns out I was the one. And when I looked at the first bike, the rims and chain and various other regions were rusted out. Clearly it had been left out in the elements a bit too much, without any requisite service, and I was not sure if it could be resurrected.

But I did not give up, despite its dilapidated appearance. I rolled up my sleeves and sanded down those rims, removing the surface rust as best as I could and bringing back the silver aluminum sheen. I sprayed the chain with WD-40, and let it sit for hours … days .. weeks … whatever it took to bring it back to working condition. And so it went, addressing each challenge one at a time and before long, the bike began to look serviceable and worthy of someone’s use. A very satisfying process.

But now, my days of fixing other people’s bike has come to an end for the season. Not many bikers find the prospect of battling autumn rains and winter’s frigid cold with relish. Most bikes are being permanently parked in the garage or shed (and hopefully not outside). So, this has freed up some time for me, and I had made a promise to myself earlier this summer that I would start blogging again once my mechanic obligations had ended.

And much like the bike I recently restored, my writing skills have gotten rusty. I could probably really use a “writing mechanic” to come and help me remove the dross and to restore my abilities to their former state, if they were ever good at all. But lacking a writing coach, I am left to my own devices. And to me, the only way to elevate my writing to something remotely workable and satisfying is to write, write, write. This process is the WD-40 that cleans out my language of tired metaphors and lifeless passages.

I will not make any money from this occupation, that is for sure. But it is my hope that for the few readers who happen to come across my weekly ramblings, they would find my words at the least interesting, and at best inspiring. It is a worthy goal, whether I attain it or not.

If there is anything I have learned from bike riding in my advanced years (56, if you caught that from my title), it is to enjoy the ride. Whether it rains or snows, regardless of the direction of the wind, through mechanical failures or smooth sailing, enjoy the rhythm of repetitive motion and the novelty of the majestic and surprising experiences. So too will I view my blog writing.

Let the journey begin today, and may the WD-56 lead to a great ride.