Overcoming Obstacles and Finding High Performance in Unexpected Places

As I prepare for the USAT Team Worlds Championship in Australia, I've encountered numerous hurdles that have tested my resolve and resourcefulness. Extending health insurance to ensure I’m covered outside of the States, ensuring we have the right power cord adapters, notifying my credit card of my expected travel so international spending isn’t suspended, and buying extended cell phone coverage for the month of travel are typical activities when preparing to race internationally. I didn’t count on an initial visa rejection for my daughter and when USA Triathlon (USAT) explained that they were relying on a single bike mechanic on a first-come, first-served basis for over 200 athletes, I realized that this journey was far from smooth. Training and racing are hard enough; logistics shouldn’t be. However, it is through these challenges that I've witnessed remarkable examples of high performance and the incredible support of those around me.

The most significant hurdle involved ensuring my bike would be race ready.

? In February, USAT determined that renting bikes, an available option for most European races, is not feasible in Townsville, Australia, which is a 2:45 minute flight north from Sydney.

? Unlike my race in Denmark, there are no local bike shops in Townsville.

? The flight from Sydney to Townsville may cap passengers at one suitcase, making shipping my "oversized luggage" bike highly unlikely.

? And the most recent news late last week gave me an ulcer the size of Texas - Australian Customs may require a 2-week bike quarantine.

The solution always lies within the problem.

The daughter of a semi-retired automotive technician, I’m fairly mechanically inclined. And some might argue that being an athlete means knowing your gear and equipment and being able to independently disassemble and reassemble your bike. Fair. And I need a little grace. I can only manage so much. The cost of the race entry fee included access to a mechanic, so that was certainly my expectation.

Early Last Week

My coach, Holly Benner suggested, “Call your local bike shop. Tell them that you’d like to watch and record them breaking down and building up your bike out of the case. Then, you practice it there with them. It’s simple and knowing how to do it yourself will save time and stress. You have time to practice. I would do what I could to be as self-sufficient as possible.”

Late Last Thursday

This sounded like a great approach, IF I could get my local bike shops to return my calls. In parallel, I learned that USAT, for the equivalent of a mortgage payment, was partnering with BikeFlights – a company that would ship, lead the customs process, and assemble the bike for the race, disassemble it post-race, and ship it back home to me (did I mention that I’m leaving immediately after my race to catch a flight back to Sydney so we can make it home for Mike’s work trip and the final back-to-school preparations for Allegra?). Since they seemed to be pulling a rabbit out of hat for this one, any athlete wishing to use BikeFlights had to commit by end of day. How much would you pay for peace of mind?

Friday. Problem solved! Almost.

Of course, BikeFlights would not ship my bike in my $800 Scicon bike case I’ve used in the past and required me to purchase their specific box (for a fee). And, I still had to dismantle and pack my bike for shipping – all for UPS pick-up first thing Monday morning. Given the impact of the Crowdstrike debacle, FedEx couldn’t guarantee that my BikeFlights bike box would be delivered before Saturday morning. I felt like I was running out of time. And options.

Saturday.

The bike box was delivered early Friday evening. I don’t think I slept Friday night. I went for a long training run to quell my increasing anxiety. Just as hope and my pace were fading into cool down, I opened my mailbox. Grabbing a drink and stretching on my front porch, I flipped through the most recent issue of the Main Line Today magazine.

????What I stumbled upon was nothing short of divine providence. A young entrepreneur named Dom, and his bike repair shop, “Dom Fixes Bikes" was featured. Dom had connected with me on LinkedIn a few years ago; we travel in the same networking groups and Chambers of Commerce, so I vaguely recalled his story. He is a remarkable human being because of his dedication, skill, and the support system that has enabled him to thrive. He’s given away 100+ bikes annually to charity and is a highly ranked American rugby player.

And he’s only 15 years old.

I called the number on his storefront.

“Hello, this is Karen.”

Puzzled, thinking I had the wrong number I said, “I’m sorry, is this Dom Fixes Bikes?”

“It is. I’m his mom.”

Right! Facepalm. ????♀?He’s still a minor! I gushed the entire story to his poor mom.

“You need help today?” (My heart sank. I knew I was asking the impossible). “Dom’s at the store with his grandmother. I’ll call you right back and we’ll see if he can help you before he flies out west for his rugby invitational.”

In a 3-way call, Dom coordinated with his grandmother and agreed to open his shop on Sunday, despite being closed, so he could meet me and help. He said something I will never forget. Something that took me 4 years of college, a Masters degree, and a few years of work under my belt to say confidently when faced with something I had not yet done, “Come by at 11. I’m sure we’ll figure it out.”

Sunday, 10:53.

I pulled into Dom Fixes Bikes and took out the five-foot-long packing box. Then I took my bike from the rack and started to walk it towards the shop door. There was one other car in the parking lot. When I got close to it, a cheerful lady rolled down the window, “I’m Dom’s grandmother.” I shook her hand, thanking her for making the day possible. “I live about 15 minutes away and wanted to be sure we got him here on time. He’s inside and looking forward to helping you.” This entire experience was serendipitous and BLEW. ME. AWAY. To add to the impressiveness she beamed, “You know, Time Magazine is coming out in a few weeks to do an article on him.” Of course they were. Everyone should meet Dom.

Dom shook my hand with a grip that bred confidence and we immediately got to work. He had already studied the BikeFlight videos demonstrating how to pack the bike. We started by assembling the shipping box.

“Do you like Legos?’ I asked. “I do – I have tons at home. Makes me think that architecture might be fun someday.” (I'm thinking, this kid can do ANYTHING.) I was relieved, as the box-building was half Legos, half origami.

“Do you have the outer box sleeve that these box pieces came in?” he asked. All color left my face. The outer box that was the external packaging? The one I tore open while Dom and his mom were on the phone with me the day prior so I could see what type of packing we were dealing with? The outer box that two minutes into the BikeFlight video urged you to “keep this box, you’ll need it for packing.” Yeah. I had it – at home. It was neatly folded up sitting in my recycling tote two zip codes away. I racked my brain to recall if USPS or other packing stores were open on Sundays. I started to google the nearest Home Depot. The cardboard partition was a critical piece of the packing process and not having it meant work stoppage.

While I panicked, Dom swiftly put my bike on the stand. He expertly removed the pedals and packed them in the gear bag. He removed and carefully packed the front wheel. I signed and attached the shipping labels and customs documents. And he worked on the handlebars before removing the saddle.

??Then he had an idea. He had tons of cardboard from all the bikes that he built in the store next to his shop. He measured our needs, we went dumpster diving, and found a piece that, with a little cutting, fit like a glove. An hour later, the bike was packed, bungy-corded in place and ready to go!

Dom's expertise and commitment not only saved me from a logistical nightmare but also exemplified the very principles of high performance that we champion at Exemplary Performance. His ability to step up in a critical moment is a testament to his character and the support of his family. Dom’s story is a perfect example of how high performance often comes from unexpected places and people. He didn’t just disassemble and pack my bike; he demonstrated the power of dedication, resourcefulness, and service excellence. He and his family turned a potential disaster into a triumph, embodying the spirit of Exemplary Performance.

As my Coach and I continually reflect, I am always amazed at who God and sport bring into our lives. As we strive for excellence in our endeavors, let’s remember to look for high performance in unexpected places and support those who exemplify it. Dom Fixes Bikes has not only ensured I can compete in Australia but has also inspired me with his remarkable dedication, skill, and charity.

For my cycling friends in Chester County, please consider Dom Fixes Bikes for your tune-up and repair needs. All parents, DFB is a great place to buy your child's first bike! And for all readers, please consider supporting his charity and local events.

When relaying all of this to Holly, she confirmed what I felt, "I just want to live in a world of high performers." Because of Dom, that's exactly what I experienced on Sunday. In that world, anything is possible.