ellen malloy, unedited

Bike to Work week is next week and I am begrudgingly coming to the conclusion that:

1. Bike to Work week doesn't mean *any* two-wheeled transportation so I can't sub in the scooter and call it a day.
2. Conveniently manipulating my week so that I don't travel to meetings or to Goose Island, where I've been working as a consultant of late, would sorta be cheating.

So, bike I will.

Speaking of Goose Island, they are a sponsor of Bike to Work week, helping pimp the week under their city-focused 312 brand. The guy who works in the office next to me has been committed to helping the city make it a week's worth of worthwhile fun and this year's schedule has this really fun lineup of everything from a bike fashion show to a movie in the park.

A lot of Goose Islanders bike, including founder John Hall, so it is a great fit for their Active Lifestyle community outreach.

This is the thing, though, and this is probably one of the reasons why so many people are so committed to Goose Island as a company (of course the beer being tasty is the first reason). Goose Island walks the walk. 

I got this in my employee emailbox today:

Geese-

As a way to encourage people to bike to work, members of the Operations team have volunteered to help fix up your bikes to get them ‘operational’ again (Sorry for the pun).  We all know what Chicago winters can do to our two wheeled transporters, so on Monday 6/13 we will be around to clean, fix and repair your bicycles.

Items that we can fix / do in a day:

• Tire Inflating
• Tire Change
• Chain / Gear Cleaning
• Other Light General Maintenance
• Brake Adjusting / Replacing
• Adjust the bike to your height

 We cannot guarantee other services, but we can let you know what the issues are and direct you to professional shops that can help.

If you are interested, please bring your bike in first thing in the morning on Monday and let me know what you want done to it (Either in person, or via email).  From there, we will go get any necessary parts and fix it up throughout the day.  Bikes should be ready to take home by the end of the workday.  If we need to buy any parts, we’ll let you know.  Generally, replacement tire tubes run around $5 each and brakes can be purchased for $10.  Our service will cost you nothing, only the part cost.

You know, that is just all kinds of awesomesauce. Staffers, helping staffers, on company time, with company blessing.

Rock on, Goose.  Cheers to you.