What started as a resident trying to quietly help her gardener fix a worn-out bicycle ended in tears of joy, gratitude, and a powerful reminder of just how kind a community can be.

Rene Theron turned to an online Fourways community group after discovering that her gardener’s bicycle, his main mode of transport, had failing brakes and a broken suspension component.

Wanting to surprise him before he returned from his Christmas break, she asked fellow residents where she could take the bike for affordable repairs.

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“My wonderful gardener, who comes to me once a week, left his bicycle in my garage while he goes home for Christmas, so that it’s safe,” Theron wrote in her post. “He said he loves it, but the brakes are gone now, and some suspension pump thing doesn’t work anymore.”

With limited funds, Theron said she was hesitant to take the bicycle to a large retailer. “I assumed Cycle Lab would be really expensive, and I don’t have a lot of money to spend.” She asked for recommendations for the most reasonable place to have the bike fixed.

Instead of just advice, the response she received was overwhelming support. “I am absolutely overwhelmed by the kindness in our community. Cycle Lab reached out to me and have offered to fix my wonderful gardener’s bike.”

Theron dropped the bicycle off, expecting minor repairs. What came back was something entirely different. “My awesome gardener came back, and thanks to Daniel Edges and his team at Cycle Lab… Pretty much has a brand new bike. They replaced so much on this bike that I didn’t recognise it when I went to pick it up.”

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The transformation was so dramatic that even the gardener himself was confused. “He thought it was new.

“He came back to me 15 minutes later and asked me to please let him know how much I could deduct from his salary every month to pay for all the repairs. I told him: ‘No, Daniel, Cycle Lab did this for you for free!’.”

Moved by the experience, Theron said the gesture left a lasting impression.

“I feel so lucky to know that we live in a world where kindness to strangers is so pure. I am truly so appreciative for taking the small repair I was hoping to do, and making it magical.”

She also thanked the broader cycling community, noting that several other bike shops and individuals had reached out offering assistance.

“Honestly, I am humbled. Cyclists are flipping cool.”

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