In the apartment that Viktor rents in Gdańsk, a home workshop for bicycle repairs has been operating for the third year. He has a special passion for this work — so strong that he posted an announcement offering help with bicycles a week before moving to Poland. The Belarusian told MOST how he decided to dedicate an entire room to bicycles and why Gdańsk will always provide him with income.
Viktor repaired his bicycle himself as a child. If he didn’t know how to do something, he watched videos on YouTube. As an adult, he got a job at one of the bicycle shops in Hrodna, where he worked for six years.
— I never had a passion for tinkering with cars, but repairing bikes came naturally. I also really like the target audience: lively, smiling people with a zest for life, — says the master.
“Two clients were waiting for me even before I arrived”
Viktor prepared for the move to Gdańsk, and shortly before the big day, the thought of “knee repairs” crossed his mind.
— A week before leaving, I wrote in a group for Belarusians in Gdańsk that I was coming and ready to help with bicycles. Two clients were waiting for me even before I arrived, — Viktor recounts.
He started his activities in the new country with mobile orders, but after a month, he rented an apartment with a basement — this allowed him to take bicycles for servicing. He also had no problems finding work in his specialty — Viktor almost immediately got a job at one of the bicycle service centers in Gdańsk.
“We don’t need a second room”
After some time, Viktor met a girl — the couple decided to move in together and rented a two-room apartment.
— At first, I was repairing bikes in the main room where we slept. A stand appeared to hang the bicycle, and I gathered some tools. Then we thought that we actually didn’t need the second room for living and daily life. We moved the bed, dismantled the wardrobe, and organized a workspace, — recalls the Belarusian.
“At home, I have everything that I have in the service”
Viktor explains that a home workshop doesn’t require much space — a small room can almost fully accommodate everything necessary. The tools fit into one suitcase, but to solve more complex technical issues, special equipment is needed.
— Every month, I buy another tool with my main salary. Now I have everything at home that you would find in a regular bicycle service. I don’t even know what I’m more passionate about: bicycles or equipment, — Viktor admits.
Currently, the home workshop even has a special parts washer and a wheel truing stand. In the foreseeable future, Viktor plans to buy a compressor — he will most likely place it in the wardrobe.
The young man asked his neighbors if they could hear the sounds of keys falling on the floor. The neighbor downstairs assured him that everything was fine and there was no noise.
— The landlord knows that I do repairs at home. He’s a great guy: he just wants to make sure there’s no crime and that the rent is paid, — Viktor laughs.
“The flow is just insane”
The main client base of the home workshop consists of Belarusians and Ukrainians. People learn about the master through social media, chats, and word of mouth.
— The flow is just insane. But I don’t have a high turnover, since I come home from work and can only work on bicycles [at home] in the evenings. I can do a maximum of one bicycle in an evening, — Viktor explains.
Most often, the master provides a comprehensive bicycle servicing. Viktor disassembles the bike, cleans the chains, adjusts the gears, and replaces parts if necessary.
“In Gdańsk, bicycles are more popular than cars”
Bicycles are a very popular mode of transport in Gdańsk, the Belarusian explains. This is due to the well-developed infrastructure for cycling in the city.
— I would say that in Gdańsk, bicycles are more popular than cars. There can literally be traffic jams on the bike paths.
As a result, the flow of clients to Gdańsk bicycle workshops is ensured. However, this activity still remains seasonal — most people seek repairs in spring and summer. Viktor advises taking bicycles for repairs in winter.
— In summer, everyone pulls out their bicycles and realizes that something isn’t working. They take them to the workshops, and in the end, there are huge queues — you have to wait a long time, — explains the Belarusian.
Now Viktor plans to leave his job and register his business. After that, the Belarusian dreams of having a spacious workshop in the center of Gdańsk.
— Kocham przekształcać niesprawny rower w sprawny — i widzieć radość na twarzy tej osoby, — mówi mistrz.
