How many hundreds of customers were welcomed by this friendly greeting when they called the Downtube Bicycle Works? And now he’s gone from the Downtube – like losing a member of the family.
After over 30 years in the bicycle industry, both here and in New Hampshire, Eric has decided to pursue a career and an industry change. The Downtube Bicycle Works looks forward to his continued collaboration as his new career allows.
Eric had the enviable ability to make the person with whom he engaged feel as if he were the only one in the shop. Your problem became Eric’s. In many years of observing him as the “go-to guy” at the Downtube, Eric was always ready with a smile, an encouraging word, a helpful hand, and a bit of advice. He never attempted the hard sell but always laid out the possible solutions in a fair and responsive manner. The most bedraggled youngster with a junker mountain bike or the owner of a gazillion dollar Trek Domane were treated in the same graceful manner.
From the Downtube Bicycle Works website: “Eric Whalen, Manager and Partner … been advising Downtube customers since 1990. Previously, Eric worked in several New Hampshire bicycle stores and also had a Snap-On tool franchise. We are very, very lucky he joined our team. He’s extraordinarily patient and understanding, and a problem solver for all things bicycle. He’s so good Trek insisted on borrowing him for support at the 1995 Tour of Taiwan. Eric became a Downtube part owner in 1997.”
Since the devastating fire in 2015, Eric, as well as all the other DT staff, was fully engaged in getting the shop back on its feet. While there was good insurance, help from Trek, 100 percent commitment by the owners, professional contractor rebuilding, and the loyalty of the DT customers, one can imagine the amount of work that had to be done by staff and the unending disruption to the shop. Two years later, the shop – now accompanied by the 3Fish Café – is back in business, and Eric was a m
ajor player in this success. His colleagues, Adam and Oliver, now joined by Evelyn, Steve and others will continue to contribute to the success of the business. They can now build on the fully remodeled store, the new café, and more staff and programs.
Thanks for a good ride, Eric!
Madonna del Ghisallo (Patroness of Cyclists – Madonna del Ghisallo (Ghee-SAL-low) also known as Our Lady of Ghisallo or Madonna of Ghisallo)
Blessing of the Bicycles – Almighty God, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible, we come to you in prayer and thanksgiving. In a world burdened by motorized transportation and consumption, we give you gracious thanks for the wondrous bicycle, on which we enjoy the goodness and beauty of your creation while improving our fitness and health. We ask you to protect the children who ride or who are learning to ride. We ask you to keep all riders, leisure riders to elite athletes, safe from accidents. We ask you to protect all riders from anger and theft. We ask you to give us skill to ride in all sort of conditions, and to help us forgive those who are negligent and mean. We ask you, in thanksgiving for those who build or repair bicycles, that you will guide them to be diligent and competent in their work. Heavenly Father, be with us now and bless us as we dedicate these bicycles and their use to the preservation of lives to your honor and praise. Grant us faith to know your gracious purpose in all things. Give us joy in them and lead us to use all your gifts, including our bikes, with wisdom, compassion, patience and love. We ask this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Albany Bicycle Coalition 