Note that it wasn’t you – it was the service, the framework, the ever changing rules of the game on what is private, and what is not. And something just not quite right about the profitization of people’s lives, with little control by the people involved.

Snap from a friend after a fine fall day on the Burlington waterfront.

When I lived in Putney, Vermont the West Hill Shop was my local bike shop, hangout, volunteer sales job, and generally fun place to be. I just started to get to know the owner’s and mechanics quite well before I chased my bride to the big city of Burlington. Jim and Diny are some of the warmest folks I met (as the new guy in a town of 2600 +/-). The local racer boys were always friendly and helpful and the shop had a talent for attracting and keeping ace mechanics. The video they’ve posted to their home page brings back some fond memories…

We’re planning on using the shop as one of our 2 hour ‘sleep’ stops on the Flèche. I’m really looking forward to passing through my old riding territory and being able to catch up and hug some friends (for at least a few sleep deprived minutes!)

We enjoyed the usual Burlington and Church Street fare, including a short bike ride to the Winooski bridge. We spent the evening catching up after dinner, enjoyed a few local brews, and took the long walk home from downtown along the lakefront bike path as the sun was going down over the Adirondacks. J shot the portrait of Ava and I on the bridge – he borrowed my mountain bike that we have set up for guests. The last guest was 5’2″, J is 6’5″ or so… the saddle had to come way way up.