Perfect Strangers

Day Five:

I really like to go mountain biking. Would I call myself a Mountain Biker? Perhaps. But the truth is I probably don’t go often enough to warrant the title.

Today I went mountain biking with a friend and a friend of a friend. Both riders (which is what many mountain bikers are often called) have been riding for quite a while; they are both very experienced and they both have some sweet rides (aka bikes).

Anyhow, both riders taught me a lot about the sport…
stuff like how to best shift gears, how to adjust my saddle (which is the lingo when referring to a rider’s seat), and the science behind tire pressure.

It was during these literal lessons that I learned it is best to surround ourselves with people that know more than we do. I would have not known what I now know about mountain biking if it were not for these two riders that allowed a rookie like me to join them.

About a mile into our ride my derailer (the component on my bike that allows me to shift gears) snapped and broke.

This was bad news for a couple of reasons.

One being that I could not finish the radical ride I had set out to complete.
The other being that I had to now walk back to my car – way uncool.

But while we trying to figure out how to make my journey back to the trail head fairly easy, the friend of a friend simply said to me, “I have a high-end bike that I don’t use that you’re welcome to use for as long as you’d like, if you’re interested”

Overcome by the generosity, I simply said, “Oh, that’s too kind. But thanks.”

To which this friend of a friend matter of factly responded…
“Look. If you’re going to get into our sport, then you’re gonna need people to help you out along the way. I can be one of those people.”

My mind was boggled.

Seriously?

I just met this guy today.
I just showed this guy that I apparently have the ability to break bikes, and without hesitation here he is offering me to use his bike, one that is certainly more expensive than mine.

Seriously?

Today I learned that Generosity rules.

Today I learned that I need to be more generous with my….
Time
Attention
Kindness
Affection
Generosity

This is especially because each one of these can be given for absolutely nothing - they're free.

Long story short, today I learned that Nice People still exist.

Looking forward to being the next Nice Guy someone new meets,
J.C. León