Dear Norco Bike Company,
I don’t expect you to remember me — it’s been nearly twenty years since I last shopped with you. Still, your bike has been a quiet, steady presence in our lives, so I thought I’d write and say thank you.
Twenty years ago my husband wanted to ride mountain bikes but didn’t have one. I wanted to surprise him for Christmas, so I got creative: sewing, painting and making crafts for a local fair to raise the funds. He helped me build some of the items without knowing the real purpose. One evening I casually asked how much a decent bike might cost. “Oh, about $350,” he said. I worked toward that goal and, by Christmas, I had nearly reached it — almost to the penny.
He was thrilled. He still jokes about that $350 estimate: “If I’d known, I would have given a much higher number!”
The Norco Mountaineer SL I bought him has been ridden hard and well. It carried our first son, towed our youngest, and even survived one memorable family ride with the whole crew (I’ll admit I’m not the most athletic, but I tried!). That bike has traveled countless miles and kept giving back every season.
Over the years it has been dependable and forgiving. The frame and components have aged gracefully with regular maintenance — basic tune-ups, occasional parts replaced, and a lot of love. That longevity speaks to thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship, and that matters when you want equipment that lasts through family life, seasons, and the ups and downs of everyday use.
This past year my husband picked riding back up in earnest. He discovered the mental and physical benefits of getting outside: improved fitness, clearer thinking and a refreshed mood. He’ll head out for a few hours and return sweaty, smiling and content. Watching him rediscover that joy has been a gift.
I started pulling together money again to buy him a newer bike. I dug out the sewing machine and paints, returned to craft fairs and my Etsy shop, and added all the proceeds to the “bike fund.” This time I invited him into the process so he could research models and features — he happily turned the bedside table into a mini library of bike magazines and frequently detours through town to peek into bike shops. Conversations at our house now include terms like front suspension, hydraulic brakes, and hard-tail. Anticipation has been part of the fun.
on the Kay Dubois Trail, Quadra Island, BC
This month we finally had enough saved for a new bike. Then life intervened: a single envelope with an unexpected expense — the “bike fund” needed to cover car insurance. It was a gut punch for both of us. I’d hoped to give him a shiny new ride for a special occasion, but practicalities had other plans.
Still, I’m grateful. Grateful that the old Norco has lasted so long and faithful enough to remain in service while we wait for the right time. Grateful for the memory of his surprised face that first Christmas and for the simple pleasures of counting down to the moment we can finally buy a new bike together.
So, Dear Norco Bike Company, thank you for building a bike that has lasted more than two decades and for the memories it has helped create. We look forward to rejoining the mountain biking community with you again when the time is right. Until then, your durable design will keep us rolling.
Sincerely,
The Mountain Biking Man’s Wife
P.S. To my Mountain Biking Man: I’m sorry I can’t surprise you with a new bike for Father’s Day this year. Please know you are loved beyond words. I’ll keep painting, sewing and writing, and we’ll keep saving. Someday your bike will come in. Thank you for enjoying the anticipation with humility and grace.
This is an unsponsored post.