A few years ago, annoyed at high gas prices and sensing the need for some practical exercise, I decided to buy a trail bike. My goal was to use the bike for running errands around town.

I had shopped around a little for a bike but really wanted just an inexpensive mode of travel. Meijer’s (regional grocery chain) had a 15 speed trail bike that seemed to fix my need and price range. So, when the day of purchase came, my wife and I traded vehicles. She drove my car to work and I drove her van to Meijers.

Beside buying the bike, I also had a list of accessories to go along with it. These included a combination rear fender/cargo carrier, a lock and chain, a rear view mirror and a tire gauge. I threw the accessories into a shopping cart and then pulled a bike off of the rack.

It was a bit of a challenge to maneuver both a shopping cart and a bike at the same time but I managed, at least for a few feet. When a story clerk saw me struggling along, he came over to help me to the checkout counter.

With my new purchases now bagged and the cart left behind, I practically rode the bike out of the store. When I got to the van, I carefully load all of my equipment in the back and headed for home.

After unloading everything into my garage, I began the process of installing my accessories. First, I installed the rear fender/cargo rack and then the mirror. I knew that I would be on the road in only a few minutes. Next, I needed to check the air in the tires. But as I peered into the bag, it was empty!

What happened to my tire gauge? I know I put it in the cart. Is it in the back of the van? No. I checked my receipt. Not listed. It must have fallen out of my cart on the way to the checkouts.

Drat. I needed to check the tire pressure. While none of the tires were really soft, I was sure that they were not up to the maximum pressure. I gave each tire a squeeze and concluded that they would probably be ok for the time being.

A few days later, I needed to get a few grocery items. Since the purpose of the bike was for errands such as this, I decided to take her out for a run.

Transporting books would be fine for the cargo carrier but groceries might be a bit of a challenge for it. I decided that a backpack would be just the ticket for the trip. So, I grabbed my backpack and headed off to Meijers.

After I purchased my groceries, I loaded them into my backpack and jumped on my bike. It was then that I remembered the tire gauge. Not wishing to go back into the store and noting that there was an auto parts store on the way home, I opted for that solution.

It was about 10 AM when I pulled my bike on to the walk just outside the store. I put my standard down and with back pack bulging, I proceeded in.

Approaching the counter I realized two thing: One, I was the only customer in the store and two, all five of the clerks were starring at me. I thought “must be they don’t have many customers on bikes.”

One of the clerks approached me and asked if he could help me. I told him that I was looking for a tire gauge. He reached behind the counter and pulled out a gauge. He told me it was the cheapest one that he had and that he could let me have it for $2.12.

The price on the package said $4.98. I thought that it must be on sale or something, so, I told the man that I would take it. I reached for my wallet and pulled out two one dollars bills. Certain that I must have twelve cents in my pocket, I pulled out my change. Noting that I only had four pennies, I said “Shoot, I thought I had twelve cents.”

Putting the pennies back in my pocket, I started to reach for my wallet again. That is when the man said “That’s ok mister. Two dollars is close enough”.

I thanked the man and proceeded to leave. As I was walking out the door I heard him say to the others, “Poor devil. Can’t even afford a car.”