Keith's Blog
...August ...already! A sign of getting older in the sense that years become live months... Remember when You were a 'kid' and the summers were indeed 'endless' and it ''never'' rained?? Strange how the mind works.... somehow forgets all the negatives... rain, days rushing by, the pressures, the pains, the stress! From a personal perspective it is curious how (already) in little over 6 weeks how all I appear to have is 'fond memories' of my Mother.... already the stress and implications of being a 'carer' are indeed vanishing. Yet 2 months ago I really wasn't sure of what the next 24hours would bring or the long term implications and impact.
Implications? Again there does indeed come a time in one's life where 'implications' come home to roost. The decision not to, the decision to do, the dithering, the indecision, the snap shot, instinct, the 'long view', the selfish act, the giving, the taking, the knee-jerk reaction - ''the one night stand that just wouldn't go away'....** And so on and so on.... Reflection, pause, consider...react...be decisive. (but not in a Cameron 'gung ho' way!)
Throughout the history of this business, 'AJS' has (by and large...give or take a few exceptions.... my employment included!.... taken decisions based on the long view. Everything from a simple inner tube to the 6 grand plus bikes we stock, from the website to the building the business currently operates from... decisions, decisions, decisions... Result? Implications, implications, and more implications. Far-reaching, impacting and long-term.
So You may appreciate that when we find ourselves in a 'price comparison' or a old model 'v' new model, or so & so are doing this at this price, or simply ''I’ll think about'' situation, just sometimes our collective 'why?' comes to the 'fore. We can at times we know (almost) appear too direct and too 'we know best'! (When in fact we don't always... as we've said before we are a 'modest’ bunch to say the least ...with exceptions! ...as there are with everything in life! (naming no names!)
Everything within these 'four walls' is considered, viewed, re-viewed and reflected upon ...is it fit for purpose? Will it work? Warranty? Long term use and pros & cons... be a £3.99 inner tube or a Blur LT carbon...(as highlighted already.) It's not all smoke and mirrors, it's not all 'profit margins' and 'bollocks'! It's not all brand and balance sheets.... god knows life could be so much easier if it was! When we recommend something we 'recommend' for a very good reason.... and I’m the first to admit our claim of, and I quote, ''Staff that ride, gear that works''... is in fact the biggest 'bullsh*t' and the ''white lie'' we have every told! That's what happens when You give a job to a marketing person! (Add to that I think the phrase isn't even grammatically correct? And let's face it that is 'rich' coming from me!)
Prada loafers... of course! But when we say Adidas Evil Eyes are the best Eyewear You can buy You can bet your 'bottom dollar' they sure as hell are! Or that an Orange Five Pro is indeed the bike for You then please, please believe us... we do actually know what we are talking about... 15 years plus experience has to mean something! But above all it is the 'implications' and the long-term impact that we all have come to know, understand and above all respect. After all what we do today will 'impact' on tomorrow....
** If You can name the TV drama the classic line quoted above is from then I swear not only will I buy you a 'pint' I will ensure You receive a suitable prize! Clue? Probably one of the most ground-breaking and controversial TV programmes ever made... And the World is a whole lot better place for it! As I said the implications and impact! Resonates to this very day!
email keith@biketreks.net