This time of the season, we begin to think of the different things we are thankful for.  Family, jobs, friends, and the countless items that can (and can not) be stated along in this list.

The one individual I think of a lot, when counting my blessings is the bike mechanic.  That quirky individual smeared in grease, rising above a smattering of random chain links, snippets of cable, anodized crimps, and spinning a bike frame upon their trusty stand with utmost precision.  It is no wonder that the shop area, the cave of wonders, the Pantheon of the bike god, the Aztec temple adorned with gold - become the "hang out" of many of us mortals.

We in North Iowa are blessed with three excellent shops, and as such, three individuals who hold in their hands the power to heal, create, and baptize our dreams.  Russ, Robin, Seth.  These three give us life, and the ability to chase our goals.  No other service professional holds the attention or respect that a well versed bike mechanic wields.  A barber?  Auto Mechanic?  CPA? Even a doctor?  None hold a candle, or create a space in the lives of their customers quite like the grease monkey with a spoke wrench.

I for one am an individual that would pass up moments with any sort of individual, to spend time standing next to a bike stand and watch the wizards at work.  So much so, that I don't even care if it is my bike that they are working on.  It could be the ugliest recumbent three wheel Lazy Boy on wheels .  The opportunity to chat with the well heeled, blue tool spinning, cable twister - is one of my many joys in this world.

I have the opportunity to get bike items at a wholesale price (for my own use), due to my involvement with the bike industry.  But trust me, it never wains my desire to step foot in a bike shop, make my way back to the work area, and find out what products they are using.  Every biker, to one degree or another, has a little tinkering soul inside of them.  The thought of being able to fix or instal a certain gadget - be it a replacement tube, a new chain, maybe wrap the handlebars with some new dressing, or even try to instal the elusive hydraulic brake system.  Eventually though, we find ourselves walking into the marble clad bike colosseum, and whimper up to the mechanic because we could not figure out how to wrap the tape around the brake hood, or get the pads to stop dragging on the rear brake.  And as usual, the apron wearing Zeus of the truing stand, puts aside the work before him, and fixes the problem WE have created.

Talk to your bike mechanic on issue other than his work.  Get an idea of their knowledge base outside of the dancing chain, and you will be amazed by their understanding of the world.  Talk to them about religious issues, vegan food substitutes for a hot dog and bun, or a synopsis and the symbolistic meanings of our favorite movies and novels.  They will always surprise you.

This little post isn't intended to be a fluff, or a suck ass-writing to those with the mechanic power.  It is huge thank you, and a notice to all those using their services to understand their importance.  As I get my cold weather gear out for the morning commute, I am especially grateful to my mechanic - for without their guidance, creativity, love of this sport, or sense of humor, I wouldn't be riding a 1980's Mongoose MTB fixie with studded tires, and a few thousand blinky lights encrusted all over it.

We hang out at the shop because it fills many needs.  We hang out because we love this sport and are forever jealous of those with the chance to do it for a living.  We hang out because no where in this world will you ever find more of those with like minded believes and principals.  We hang out because we have a bro-manance with the bike mechanic.  We hang out because we want to.

Without getting into a "My mechanic is better than your mechanic", or without making it seem like a ad space available to your fav bike shop.  Take a min, and type out a comment to this post, and give us your favorite bike wrench story.  Give us a moment where your Personal Jesus saved your bike-life, and got you back out on the road sooner than you would have thought - or one of the times they went above and beyond the call of duty to get you rollin' again.  If possible, please leave out names, so it doesn't become a contest of who got the most comments.

Thank you bicycle repairman.  How can we ever repay you?