Who am I?
Hi! My name is Bill Rittinger. In 2003, a friend convinced me to go on a bike ride to Delhi Park. I hurt pretty bad the next day, but I was hooked! Soon I began to share this adventure with my family and the number of bicycles in my garage grew. I quickly realized they needed maintenance. Over the years, I have found a great deal of enjoyment from maintaining bicycles for my family and close friends. Although I have not had any formal training in bicycle repair, I have learned from others and simple repetition.
What am I doing? Offering free bicycle maintenance service. I’m a medic, not a surgeon, so there are some things I’ll refer you to a professional to handle — but I’m glad to help any way I can! Some of the common repairs I can help with include:
- Free air
- Replace tires, tubes, rim strips
- Adjust brakes
- Adjust derailleurs
- Straighten/true wheels
- Degrease sprockets and chain rings
- Replace cable housing
- Lube chain
When am I here? I am scheduled to be at the Dexter Farmers Market from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays in May and June. (Stand by to find out if Covid Restrictions cause us to relocate.) Other dates may be added down the road.
Why am I doing this for free? First, I love bicycling and enjoy seeing others benefit from the same experience. I have logged many miles around the Dexter–Chelsea area and across Michigan. In 2007 my family visited Montana, where I rode with my daughters along the Missouri river, following the Lewis and Clark expedition trail. That trip opened my eyes to the value of non-motorized pathways. Returning to Michigan, I became interested in the Border-to-Border Trail planned for Dexter. When it opened, I was convinced it would catch on and realized a station to help travellers with repairs would be helpful.
Second, as a Christian, I am called to love my neighbors just as God loves me. True love shows itself in serving and blessing others in real and practical ways. Repairing bikes is a unique way I can do this, and I hope it may provide a glimpse into the kind of love God has for people. With my hands, tools, and a little gift of time, I can repair bicycles at no cost to you; God offers a much better gift that cost him dearly. If you want to know more, I am happy to share.
Bike Medic 