10,000 days
Sunday, October 30th, 2016 | Uncategorized | 2 Comments
On a cool November morning, I unlocked the front door of the Oak Ridge Bicycle Center for the first time, walked in, looked around, and thought “what do I do now?”
I had taken the reins from Charles Harrison, who at that moment was traveling to Maryland to start his new life, while I stood in the door and wondered if I could really pull off this trick.
The trick was that I had no idea what I was doing, and whether I’d make it through my first day unscathed. I did inherit two part-time employees, but they weren’t due in for several hours, and I was on my own until then. I will give Alan Bugos and John Handler a lot of credit for their help in my early days, but I was a quick study in my youth, so in no time at all I was winning all of our disagreements. Plus, I did sign their paychecks, so it wasn’t much of a contest.
The bicycle business, the customers, the suppliers, and the bicycle companies were so much different then. My memories, selective as they may be, are that it was easier in those early years. My suppliers felt like my partners, my mentors, and my friends. I made many good friends in the industry over the early years, but now I can’t think of a single one still working in the bicycle business. I’ve outlasted many of them, and others moved on to more lucrative careers.
I remember that first day like it was yesterday. I tried to not look at the telephone, and prayed that it wouldn’t ring.
By my fuzzy math, I’ve unlocked that same door over 10,200 different mornings since that first day. During those 10,000 plus days, I’ve made many good friends, sold a few bicycles, a bunch of other stuff, made my share of mistakes, and learned to like the sound of that ringing phone. I couldn’t have done it without the help of many amazing employees/friends over the years, and we always tried to have a good time doing it.
Amazing customers/friends, too.
Tuesday, November 1st, 2016 is my 40th anniversary at the Oak Ridge Bicycle Center.
What a ride it has been.
Thanks to you all, and thanks for reading this. Bill
2 thoughts on “10,000 days”
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40 years! What a ride. I remember those early days at the ORBC very well. I had been doing “piece work” from home for Mr Harrison when you bought the shop. My employment status was probably questionable. I think I remember my mom bending your ear and convincing you to give me a chance in the shop. You must have wondered “What the heck am I going to do with this 15 y/o kid?!” I’ll always cherish the memories of my first real job. What a great experience!
We were all kids then, I was just an older version. Your mom was a very cool lady, and yeah, she did shame me into giving you a chance. That was one of the best decisions I made at the ORBC.