I love my motorcycle! I've named her "Winger," as in a 1982 Honda Silverwing GL 500. She's a classic, only manufactured two years. She's nearly as old as me, so quite often she needs a doctor--and this summer, she wasn't starting. I was heartbroken since she takes me on mountain roads so I can enjoy nature, camping, and recreating in a unique way.

Well, I didn't want to admit she was "out" for the summer, but being that she wouldn't start and I had to get her to a shop (honestly, the most annoying thing ever) that involved a trailer, ramp, tie downs, etc., I was over it. I couldn't afford all the to-do anyway. But I didn't want to give up. I started reading my owner's manual and decided I had diagnosed the problem and went to town dismantling the machine. Once I started to realize I would have to take apart brake cables, I was done. Come on, I didn't have a mechanic background, who was I kidding? I was left with another option: Consult my friend, John Hubbell. I met John in flight school in Utah (Cornerstone Aviation). He's a former military man that decided to fulfill a lifelong dream like me and learn how to fly planes. His current gig is working as a bike, small engine mechanic in Morgan, Utah. He thought it might be the carburator, too. Though, at that point, I gave up being a fake mechanic and was sure Winger would be grounded for the summer.

Then the day before my birthday, ironically, John texts me and says, "Hey, I'm in SLC this week, does you bike still need work?" Of course I said yes, and the next day, my 30th bday, he came over and worked magic. He played with the sparks, solenoid, kill switch, etc. and got her started! He told me I should get it to a shop nearby to see if they could take a closer look and give her a tune-up. So I called up my mechanic and he said it would cost around $200. John said, "Oh no, you don't even need all that stuff. Let's go to Pep Boys and do it ourselves."

So off we went ... he told me what I needed buy to do my own maintenance like an oil change, install a new gas filter, and put in coolant. When we went back, he walked me through it, and all for $30. I was so thankful for John, and all he asked in return, "Take my wife out to our favorite local Mexican restaurant after a flight one day, and we'll call it even." He's the best, and what a bday gift.

If you can, remember how random acts of kindness make people's day. In my case, it made my summer.  By the way, if you are in the Salt Lake area and want to ride, please email  vanessa@shejumps.org. --Vanessa Pierce, SJ co-founder and vice president