When asked by my professor, Buck Ryan, what I would consider to be my “dream job,” my answer has to be my current position at Wildcat Wheels of the University of Kentucky. Wildcat Wheels is a non-profit bicycle library and bike shop where students can rent free yellow bicycles for a semester or learn how to repair their bicycle with the assistance of a mechanic. As of now, I am finishing my third year at the shop, serving a year as an intern and almost two years as a mechanic.
My love riding bicycles really fed into my love for learning about them. After being hit a car which resulted in the demise of my bicycles, but thankfully not me, I needed an inexpensive way to get a new one. Coupled with the desire to know how to repair bicycles and find a new one for cheap, someone suggested I try Wildcat Wheels, “Yeah, they’ll teach you anything you want to know, they’ll a little hard to find though.” He wasn’t kidding. The shop is literally in the basement of Blazer Hall, I must have walked by it a dozen times.
My first time there, everything seemed a little chaotic, but in an organized way. Someone noticing my glare of uncertainty, asked me if I needed any help. Explaining my situation and needs, he told me I could volunteer at the shop in exchange for used parts, after that they would show me how to put everything together…for free! I was beyond delighted.
Empowering others to take the initiative to learn about the inner workings of their bicycle is extremely rewarding. Not to say that it isn’t always frustrating, there are times when people have presented problems to me that I did not know how approach; but with the guidance from others working with me and teamwork, we usually figure it out. In this way I am continually teaching and learning about the very thing I love. It will be truly sad when I have to leave me job after graduation.
