Balaji Cycle Store

Out here at 2-5-10 in Machabollaram, things are usually covered in a bit of grease. That is just part of running a cycle store. We spend most of our time hunched over frames or trying to figure out why a chain keeps slipping. It’s a small shop. You can see the tires hanging from the ceiling if you look up. People from around the neighborhood bring their kids' bikes in when they get a flat. We also have some newer models for sale, but mostly it's about the repairs. The floor is concrete and has some oil stains that won't ever come out. My hands are rarely clean, even after using the heavy soap. In the afternoons, it gets quite warm, so we keep the front door wide open. You can hear the traffic from the main road while we work. Sometimes a customer just wants some air in their tires, and we do that quickly so they can get back to their day. We don't have a big staff, just a couple of us who know our way around a wrench. It’s been at this Machabollaram spot for a while now. We know the regulars by their voices before they even walk in. It’s not a fancy showroom with bright lights. It is just a place to get your bike fixed so you can ride it home.