On an early Saturday morning this past August I found myself at the Brampton Farmer’s Market watching a bicycle being put together.
My kids have always had bikes and cycling is something we enjoy doing together as a family. We are extremely lucky because my father-in-law is a handy man. He visits garage sales, buys old bikes, fixes them up, and gives them to my boys.
Not all kids are that lucky, which is why we were at the Farmer’s Market. I sometimes like to show my kids how privileged they are and this was the perfect opportunity. Frank and his son Carm who own Scarfo & Son, a CAA Battery Assist Contractor in Brampton, were assembling three bikes to be given to children from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel. Kids who never would have a bike otherwise.
So why was CAA doing this? Well...CAA is obviously known for roadside and trip assistance. They actually saved my ass twice last summer when tires blew out on our van on two separate occasions. Once on the 400 HWY where I was convinced I was going to die because there was no shoulder and semis were whipping past us at 100km/hour. Thankfully, the CAA driver showed up within 20 minutes and got us out of there safe and sound.
But did you know CAA also has a bike assist program? We’ve been CAA Members for ten years and I had no idea.
I own two bikes:
Aside from my house and my wedding rings, Serenity is the nicest thing I’ve ever owned in my life. Nobody in my house is allowed to touch Serenity without my express permission.
And yes, I realize it’s weird that I talk about my bike like she’s real. But it’s also real that there is a slight possibility I would give up my job before I ever gave up Serenity.
Since Serenity cost a pretty penny, I like to keep her in good condition. I even learned how to change her tires. But I learned how to change the tire a year ago so I’m a bit of a Nervous Nelly when it comes to long distance rides because I’m worried that if I actually get a flat, I’m screwed.
Enter in the handy-dandy CAA Ontario Bike Assist App. This app will not only help cyclists find new routes, you can share routes with friends, it has video tutorials (like how to change a flat tire) and allows you to send an emergency message to a contact if you fail to check in at a certain point.
Here’s where it gets really good-->If you’re a CAA member and your bike breaks down and can’t be fixed, CAA will come pick you up and transport you where you need to go.
Hello!
Ten years and one year of cycling under my belt and I had no idea. But now I do. And if you become friends with me on the app we can share routes.
Just sayin’.
This is proudly sponsored by our friends at the Canadian Automobile Association of South Central Ontario.
www.caasco.com
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