We Are LCL: M. Jensen Didulo
We are LCL: Jensen Didulo
For this installment of We Are LCL, London Cycle Link is thrilled to present Jensen Didulo, Squeaky Wheel shop manager. You may have already been helped by him in the shop, as he has volunteered there almost since its beginnings. Jensen grew up in Vancouver, moving to London 15 years ago, and in his own words, he “was always the kid that took things apart.” Luckily for us, over the years he’s gotten really good at putting them back together again!
LCL: What does your bike help you to do the most and how?
JD: It keeps me from being more unfit. I will admit to having a real taste for bad food. And so the bike keeps me fitter. Not fit, but fitter. Sometimes, I do find myself riding it for peace of mind. It’s mental and physical fitness. I love driving cars, but it’s a waste of gas and money; it’s terrible for pollution; you can easily find yourself speeding. I learned that young. So riding is always a lot better, and it actually makes my mind clearer, probably because of the exercise.
LCL: When you picture yourself riding a bike, what are the words that come to your mind first?
JD: Serenity. Sometimes you’re just rolling. You’ve pedalled a little bit and now you’re just coasting. Some of those moments can be serene.
LCL: How did you first get connected with London Cycle Link and the Squeaky Wheel?
I was actually in one of the bike shops, buying tools, and Trevor (Diaz, longtime shop volunteer and past board member) was working there at the time. He told me I should come check it out. Two weeks go by and I’m in there again, and he’s like, “Did you go check it out?” and I’m like “No, not yet…” So the following week I did. And I think he had a plan because I ended up volunteering that same first visit, to help people fix their bikes. That was either 2017 or 2018. I like to say that Trevor “voluntold” me, but it’s not quite that assertive.
LCL: Can you finish the sentence, “I support London Cycle Link and/or Squeaky Wheel because….”
JD: “…. because it’s good for people and bikes. The neighborhood, because a lot of the people in the neighborhood can’t necessarily afford to get their bikes fixed at shop rates. So doing it themselves saves them money and teaches them skills. Everything about it – it builds community around bicycles. I like people and I love bikes. It doesn’t get any better than putting them all together like that.
LCL: So you’re living your dream and you know it?
JD: It’s funny, when I told my sister—she’s a department head at an insurance company in Vancouver—she said, “OMG, you’re doing what you love.” She knew it was perfect for me.