On day 11 we planned a slight detour to one of the recommended bike shops. Before that, we happened to pass a bike shop in Renkum and decided to try our luck. In their first box of bits was an Aladdin’s Cave of fasteners, but none suitable. Removing one of the remaining screws in my bag for inspection, he then returned with a second box and emptied it onto the counter. Amongst the sprawled assortment, a very unassuming black screw shone like whatever was in the boot of the car in Pulp Fiction. An exact match. One exact match, to be precise. “Don’t lose it”, he joked. Generously refusing payment, the screw was fitted and the bag repaired. Right then, and still now, this is the Best Bike Shop In The World. Please folks, give Nol Mastbergen Fietsen a try if you’re ever in the area and in need.
https://www.mastbergen.nl/
I left the shop overjoyed. After a quick coffee nearby, I was able to confirm that the appreciation of beer and cake by people who work in bike shops is universal (well, it’s true in the UK and the Netherlands, at least). I hope they enjoyed those well-deserved tokens of thanks.
That was a good day. A good and fortunate day.
Let’s keep looking out for each other out there.
(And checking the screws in our panniers.)
#Cycling #BikeTooter #CycleTouring #BikePacking #Ortlieb #Renkum #Arnhem