The Franklin Township Food Bank Tour de Franklin is usually the first charity bike event of the season, and I've been wrench-for-the-day there for years (except for last year, when I was at school in Oregon). They have rides for the serious enthusiasts (including a metric century), but also rides down to 5 miles, for the local families who bring out their kids. I forgot my camera, and had to take what pictures I could on my phone (and I'm not as adept with my phone as I am with my single-purpose camera, but a few of 'em came out anyway).
My workstation:
Some of the registrations:
Early in the day:
The rides of the different routes start with a mass-start (they have a lot of fun with it, with a barker and a cheering squad):
It was a very windy day, and cooler than expected, so there were fewer riders than there sometimes are. But (as is common for this ride, and other charity rides that cater to the riders with more hope and good wishes than experience) there were some unusual calls for service at the mechanic station. One rider broke off the top of his presta valve when he was loosening the schrader adapter he keeps on it; the tire continued to hold air, so he went off to do the ride. One woman took the opportunity to have her bars straightened; I expect she had been riding that way for years! We did a couple of chain lubes, and filled a LOT of tires.
The Food Bank provides me with a high-school assistant (she's a minor, so she doesn't get a picture). She was initially enthusiastic, then bored (which was appropriate; it was largely a slow day). But she was pleasant to speak to, and treated me is if I were not just some superannuated stranger.
I like being the event mechanic; they treat me with a deference I find pleasing, and I see people I don't often see otherwise. I'll plan to go back until they won't have me anymore.
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