A Wrench's Manifesto

I’m a wrench.

Not literally, I wrench on bikes.

I’m blue collar, I don’t make a lot of money and there is little respect for what I do.

But I love what I do.

It’s days like today that are part of a reoccurring epiphany in my life. I have consistently taken less money so that I can have a job that I enjoy. It is my plan to be a starving journalist and wrench for the rest of my life. And that’s it. I do what I am and it makes me happy.

I came to work today knowing I would be the only one here. I got things going and grabbed a bike for service. And that’s when it hit me like a pedal wrench upside the head, that I love working on bikes. There is something magical about trueing a wheel, rebalancing the tension without thinking about it. To be able to complete a tune-up while taking phone calls, helping customers and eating lunch (yes, I consume a lot of grease), because I’ve done it so many times. It hit me.

I also love bikes. They are simple, efficient, perfect. In our fast changing world there are few things that exist that haven’t changed. The bicycle is one. Sure it has been refined, we use carbon now, but frankly it is the same safety bike that has been around for over a century. The concepts and principles are the same. It is a constant.

There exists this link between me and the bicycle whether it’s riding up mountain singletrack while the sun breaks through grey sky to backlight yellow leaves in 65 degrees or taking a bike and making it work with grease on my hands, I love every minute.

That’s life inspired. That’s my revolution.

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Comment by Todd on July 11, 2009 at 6:15am: This is an older blog post, but it is still very relevant today. I recently read a book called "Shop Class as Soulcraft" that talks about the demise and disappearance of the skilled trades from American society and how we - as a society - would be so much better off if we weren't busy trying to shuffle every warm body off to university on their 18th birthday.

I love working on my bike. I really do get "in the zone" and experience an almost meditative state. Except for derailers... I hate working on derailers. :)

Comment by Anne on November 14, 2008 at 10:39am: I love mechanics soooo much I married one! I encourage everyone to bring something nice to your retail mechanic during the holiday season.
NIce post Moose, your joy will keep you going in the crazy part of the season. :)

Comment by Mike the Veloist on October 8, 2008 at 7:37pm: I feel like I just read an excerpt from "Zen and the art of bicycle maintenance". I'm not a wrench, all my bikes go to the shop but I feel the connection. Thanks for sharing.

Comment by C.Ann on October 8, 2008 at 4:40pm: Looks like you and I have similar thoughts on journalism and bikes. Thanks for sharing, makes me feel good to know Im not the only one.

Comment by Madera Bike Shop on October 6, 2008 at 9:14pm: Love it, love it, love it! We couldn't agree with your more! We love going to work every single day and not many people can say that. Sure, it'd be easier if there was more money, but we are content. Happiness, after all, is not having what you want, but wanting what you have, right? Thanks for sharing and reminding us!