Every so often a BikeVentura out-of-the ordinary volunteer comes along and is interviewed here, so please meet Dan Gold!
BVC: What is your story about becoming a BikeVC Volunteer and how long have you been volunteering?
DG: Several years ago my wife and a I were having dinner on the Avenue when I noticed a storefront across the street featuring some interesting looking bicycles. While we waited for our margueritas I ran over to the shop and peaked in the window. The store was closed but I made a point of returning at a later date when I met the shop manager, Toby Smith. He told me that The Hub was a community bike shop and explained how it all worked. The next week I donated a mountain bike I had been restoring at home and Toby convinced me to become a volunteer mechanic at the shop. I’ve been wrenching at The Bike Hub, on and off for 8 years under the guidance of our current shop manager, Pedro Barragan.
BVC: Please share a memorable experience(s) during your time volunteering at BikeVC
DG: My most memorable experience with The Hub was one of the many beer rides organized by Larry Daugherty. We visited a couple of breweries as usual and on the way back we brought the group to our house, downtown, and drank a couple more beers on the front steps. My wife, Nancy is an award-winning home Brewer and she brought out a couple of her favorite beers that we had on tap in the backyard. Good times!
BVC: What has been your most memorable/favorite experience riding a bicycle?
DG: The other day I wanted to go on a quick simple ride, so I chose the Mercian and didn’t bring anything with me except a water bottle and a flat repair kit under my saddle. I waffled back-and-forth whether or not to bring a small pump and in the end decided to include it. Sure enough, halfway up the trail toward Foster Park I passed a cyclist on the side of the road. It turns out he had a slow leak and just needed a little air to make it home. He knew all about The Bike Hub and was very appreciative of what we do for the community, and very grateful for the pump-up.
BVC: Do you have a favorite bicycle and why?
DG: My favorite bike is my vintage English road bike, Mercian “Classic”. I love it because it’s simple, steel, lightweight and comfortable.
