"At the League of American Bicyclists, we know bicycling is essential and bicycle repair is an essential service to support bicycling. Communities are seeing surges in cycling as people look for safe and healthy ways to remain active while social distancing, and people look for low cost ways to get around. It is important that people can have safe and working bicycles this time." —Ken McLeod
To the relief of tens of thousands of bicyclists around the country, the Feds have declared bicycling is essential and biking repair specialists, like Arthur Rodriguez (aka The Bike teacher) are essential workers. I was referred to Arthur by my friend and fellow biking enthusiast Bill Rothenberg who has more than once driven me with my bike on the back of his bike rack to Arthur’s full-service repair shop whenever I got a flat tire.
The first time I had a slow leak as result of riding over a spiky-looking Groathead thorn common in California; the second time was due to a three-inch long broken branch with a sharp point that impaled my back tire while I was doing over 30 MPH on a downhill slope on Los Gatos-Saratoga Road and more recently I ran over a small Allen wrench along the Union Pacific Railroad crossing between Cox and the Seven Springs development. Thanks to Bill for riding his bike home, retrieving his SUV and bike rack, replenishing me with a bottle of water, an energy bar, and a home made chocolate cookie baked by his daughter Madeline and bringing his rescue dog Roscoe with him to keep us company:-)
You may remember the Ghostbusters lyrics: “If there’s something weird and it don’t look good, who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!" Well, Arthur Rodriguez is the guy I’m gonna call whenever I need my flats repaired, brakes adjusted, bicycle chain changed, bike rack and fender installed or general tune-up.
“While most bicycle shops have a long wait time, Arthur offers same day to 24 hours service turnaround and offers a complete hands on bicycle mechanics repair and maintenance training workshops designed for beginners. He has been involved in the biking arena for over 20 years as a mechanic, road and mountain biker and occasional racing. He is knowledegable, friendly, and most of all trustworthy.
Arthur’s shop is near the historic downtown Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose. Often times when Bill or Cecile drop me off to pick up bike I enjoy stopping for take out food, premium truffles, chews and creams at Mariette Chocolates and photographing points of interest including the colorful murals by artist and visual storyteller, Lila Gemellos and ride the natural Los Gatos Creek Trails home.
