shootingstar Posted November 6, 2022 Share #1 Posted November 6, 2022 If I'm in the neighbourhood, we have/ I will drop by a bike store in whatever area or city I am worldwide. Just like seeing what type of bikes is offered locally, their local shirts, etc. To me, a bike shop is a familiar place --world-wide. Rather interesting. I've been in bike stores in Copenhagen, Karlsruhle (Germany), Kyoto (Japan) and various shops on Seattle, Portland, Montreal, etc. In a bike rental shop in Kyoto, it just seemed somewhat mickey mouse since it was a wierd mess of bikes and not in very good shape either. No doubt, there were better shops but we didn't have time to seek them out. A work colleague was surprised that I liked visiting and browsing in bike shops. He didn't expect it from me....I'm not sure what type of impression I give to others. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheep_herder ★ Posted November 6, 2022 Share #2 Posted November 6, 2022 Yep, I've visited shops in many towns in the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilbur ★ Posted November 6, 2022 Share #3 Posted November 6, 2022 In the past, yes. Now, not a chance. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisL Posted November 6, 2022 Share #4 Posted November 6, 2022 Yeah I have and do when able. I also like visiting different fly shops when on fishing trips. I really enjoyed visiting bike shops in Holland. They have different brands than us & a focus on commuter bikes & gear as well as bling bikes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groupw Posted November 6, 2022 Share #5 Posted November 6, 2022 Sometimes. If it looks like there is an active cycling community, and I might be able to ride, yes. Sometimes there is just not the time. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airehead Posted November 6, 2022 Share #6 Posted November 6, 2022 Yes, I enjoy it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyr Posted November 6, 2022 Share #7 Posted November 6, 2022 Not unless I am looking for something specific. But then again I don't browse in any stores except wine stores and book stores Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsnip Totin Jack ★ Posted November 6, 2022 Share #8 Posted November 6, 2022 Yes and I worked at an LBS and met people doing the same thing. I met a couple blokes from Australia who were riding across the US. They had started in NYC and rode to DC then headed Southwest with no real plan other than follow the main routes. They were riding the W&OD to Purcellville it didn’t know where to go from there. I wrote up a cue sheet on the spot that took them down Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Smoky Mountains. Told them to get to Nashville and ride the Natchez Trace to Mississippi then head west. Good luck and god bless. I hope they enjoyed their visit. That was close to 15 years ago. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoseySusan Posted November 6, 2022 Share #9 Posted November 6, 2022 We rented bikes from a bike shop near Stanley Park in Vancouver. Twice. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted November 6, 2022 Share #10 Posted November 6, 2022 I stop in bike shops I see when I’m on my bike Not so much when I’m driving. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted November 6, 2022 Share #11 Posted November 6, 2022 2 hours ago, Wilbur said: In the past, yes. Now, not a chance. Why the big change? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted November 6, 2022 Share #12 Posted November 6, 2022 Since I started building my own, I rarely stop by the bike store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Wilbur ★ Posted November 6, 2022 Popular Post Share #13 Posted November 6, 2022 5 minutes ago, Philander Seabury said: Why the big change? Owning an LBS cured me of wandering through LBS's. 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilbur ★ Posted November 6, 2022 Share #14 Posted November 6, 2022 1 hour ago, MoseySusan said: We rented bikes from a bike shop near Stanley Park in Vancouver. Twice. We need border walls, dammit. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted November 6, 2022 Share #15 Posted November 6, 2022 1 hour ago, Zephyr said: Not unless I am looking for something specific. But then again I don't browse in any stores except wine stores and book stores Same for me! Stores mean spending money and that is anathema to me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeman564™ Posted November 6, 2022 Share #16 Posted November 6, 2022 I have when in other towns and see a store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeman564™ Posted November 6, 2022 Share #17 Posted November 6, 2022 10 minutes ago, Wilbur said: We need border walls, dammit. now you know how we feel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tizeye Posted November 6, 2022 Share #18 Posted November 6, 2022 Not really other than window shopping as I pass by. Vienna has a very nice bike museum. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilbur ★ Posted November 6, 2022 Share #19 Posted November 6, 2022 I shouldn't say "not a chance". It would have to be a historically interesting or famous shop for me to go in. Run of the mill or chain stores though, nope. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoseySusan Posted November 6, 2022 Share #20 Posted November 6, 2022 51 minutes ago, Wilbur said: We need border walls, dammit. And we stayed in the 🌈 Davie Village 🌈area. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootingstar Posted November 6, 2022 Author Share #21 Posted November 6, 2022 2 hours ago, MoseySusan said: We rented bikes from a bike shop near Stanley Park in Vancouver. Twice. well, there's one on Denman St. close to Stanley Park which is where you went, or another actually by bike path on the street where we used to live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisL Posted November 6, 2022 Share #22 Posted November 6, 2022 1 hour ago, Tizeye said: Not really other than window shopping as I pass by. Vienna has a very nice bike museum. That first bike is a Gazelle! My family bought me one while in Holland in 1982. I recognized the head badge immediately. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UglyBob Posted November 6, 2022 Share #23 Posted November 6, 2022 Love to visit them. I have a hat from the only bike shop in Skagway Alaska. My favorite I've visited is Mt. Airy Bikes in Mt. Airy Maryland. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilbur ★ Posted November 6, 2022 Share #24 Posted November 6, 2022 1 hour ago, MoseySusan said: And we stayed in the 🌈 Davie Village 🌈area. Not surprised. It is a nice part of town. My aunt had an apartment there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsnip Totin Jack ★ Posted November 6, 2022 Share #25 Posted November 6, 2022 2 minutes ago, UglyBob said: Love to visit them. I have a hat from the only bike shop in Skagway Alaska. My favorite I've visited is Mt. Airy Bikes in Mt. Airy Maryland. I know Mt Airy bikes; I’ve sent people there for specialty items. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootingstar Posted November 6, 2022 Author Share #26 Posted November 6, 2022 2 hours ago, Philander Seabury said: Same for me! Stores mean spending money and that is anathema to me. I'm just curious what local bike store would carry. Sometimes there are local T-shirts, jerseys, etc. I rarely buy from a bike store when I'm an out of town visitor. Except when we were in Seattle. I did buy some jerseys and sunglasses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheep_herder ★ Posted November 6, 2022 Share #27 Posted November 6, 2022 Our LBS is officially closed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootingstar Posted November 6, 2022 Author Share #28 Posted November 6, 2022 3 hours ago, Zephyr said: Not unless I am looking for something specific. But then again I don't browse in any stores except wine stores and book stores Going into a European wine store is worthwhile since there is a lot that never gets exported. We were in medieval-Rennaissance historic German town in Black Forest region. Right by the edge of the local cobblestoned market square, was the region's wine store. There were so many German wine brands....never seen in Canadian wine stores at all. (section for German wines in any Canadian wine store is always very small). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootingstar Posted November 6, 2022 Author Share #29 Posted November 6, 2022 8 minutes ago, sheep_herder said: Our LBS is officially closed. I guess cars are more important or people don't feel safe, cycling. Where is the next closest bike store? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoseySusan Posted November 6, 2022 Share #30 Posted November 6, 2022 1 minute ago, sheep_herder said: Our LBS is officially closed. So is the one we used to go to. The GM works at The Trek Store, so we go there now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheep_herder ★ Posted November 6, 2022 Share #31 Posted November 6, 2022 1 minute ago, shootingstar said: I guess cars are more important or people don't feel safe, cycling. Where is the next closest bike store? It closed due to owner's health issues, and the next nearest shop is 150 miles west. Remember we live in a small town. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootingstar Posted November 6, 2022 Author Share #32 Posted November 6, 2022 1 hour ago, sheep_herder said: It closed due to owner's health issues, and the next nearest shop is 150 miles west. Remember we live in a small town. Running a bike store is hard demanding business....my comments are based knowing a bike store owner (he owns/runs 3 shops) down the street in VAncouver. And also from another independent bike store just 10 min. walk away. It's hard to retain knowledgeable staff, experienced bike mechanics, etc. Both shop owners knew dearie and they would talk biz, etc. We also knew the owner who started up this Toronto bike store downtown in 1997 and is still running after he died. I knew Eugene also prior to his bike store launch, in various non-profit groups related to immigration and race relations. Blog - Urbane Celebrates 25 Years! - Urbane Cyclist Co-op (ucycle.com) He had a mechanical engineering degree and after awhile working in an engineering job, he left and started up this bike store at a time when cycling just in street clothes was still not widespread/a novelty at that time. I also knew 1 of the other partners for that store, who was part of our women's cycling group in Toronto. Now 1 of the store partners, is another woman I knew dimly long ago, who used to work as a bike courier in Toronto in early 1990's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyr Posted November 6, 2022 Share #33 Posted November 6, 2022 41 minutes ago, shootingstar said: Going into a European wine store is worthwhile since there You don't have to leave the country..., with our stupid Provincial liquor import laws here there are wide varieties of wines in one Province you cannot get in the next one over. There are wines we can get in Sask that we can't get in Alberta or BC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheep_herder ★ Posted November 6, 2022 Share #34 Posted November 6, 2022 9 minutes ago, shootingstar said: Running a bike store is hard demanding business....my comments are based knowing a bike store owner (he owns/runs 3 shops) down the street in VAncouver. And also from another independent bike store just 10 min. walk away. It's hard to retain knowledgeable staff, experienced bike mechanics, etc. Both shop owners knew dearie and they would talk biz, etc. We also knew the owner who started up this Toronto bike store downtown in 1997 and is still running after he died. I knew Eugene also prior to his bike store launch, in various non-profit groups related to immigration and race relations. Blog - Urbane Celebrates 25 Years! - Urbane Cyclist Co-op (ucycle.com) He had a mechanical engineering degree and after awhile working in an engineering job, he left and started up this bike store at a time when cycling just in street clothes was still not widespread/a novelty at that time. I also knew 1 of another partner for that store, who was part of our women's cycling group in Toronto. Now 1 of the store partners, is another woman I knew dimly long ago, who used to work as a bike courier in Toronto in early 1990's. My small town comment was more in response to your "folks would rather drive". He stayed busy, but getting parts and bikes in a timely fashion has become frustrating. As I said his health was the main factor in closing. Getting any parts is a challenge. We will be waiting 1-3 weeks to get a new ignition for the VW JETTA. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootingstar Posted November 6, 2022 Author Share #35 Posted November 6, 2022 21 minutes ago, Zephyr said: You don't have to leave the country..., with our stupid Provincial liquor import laws here there are wide varieties of wines in one Province you cannot get in the next one over. There are wines we can get in Sask that we can't get in Alberta or BC. Yes, I get the liquor laws in different provinces. It is noticeable going into LCBO stores in Ontario where of course they will display and promote Ontario wines, but not B.C. wines. Ontario wines are a bit cheaper than buying a bottle of B.C. wine in B.C. store. What I meant, was the German wine store we went into, was truly mind-boggling in all sorts of German brands. well over a100 different brands. Some just small producers that can't afford cost of export,etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UglyBob Posted November 6, 2022 Share #36 Posted November 6, 2022 1 hour ago, Parsnip Totin Jack said: I know Mt Airy bikes; I’ve sent people there for specialty items. I spent so much time in there one day that Larry put me to work helping a customer dig through the boxes in the back to find the right bars for him. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
az_cyclist Posted November 6, 2022 Share #37 Posted November 6, 2022 I have a few times . Rented a bike from South Maui Bicycles in 2006. The Bike Brothel in Bisbee, AZ , was interesting. Most, of not all of the bikes, were vintage steel bikes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilbur ★ Posted November 7, 2022 Share #38 Posted November 7, 2022 6 hours ago, MoseySusan said: And we stayed in the 🌈 Davie Village 🌈area. When I was in my teens, Davie Village was synonymous with street prostitution, in fact, my sister worked the streets there. . Expo 86 cleaned it up a lot. Expo also caused the massive influx of HK and Chinese to Vancouver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootingstar Posted November 7, 2022 Author Share #39 Posted November 7, 2022 2 hours ago, Wilbur said: When I was in my teens, Davie Village was synonymous with street prostitution, in fact, my sister worked the streets there. . Expo 86 cleaned it up a lot. Expo also caused the massive influx of HK and Chinese to Vancouver. Just after 1986? Remember this shitty event: Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, in Beijing. Locals were killed for peaceful demonstrations. My sister and I nixed any vacation plans we were discussing for China at that time. She joined her boyfriend, now hubby, about 3 years later for vacation. It's not over. That's why those with Canadian citizenship are moving back to Canada ..some more permanently..now. Anyway to make this bike relevant, there photos of aftermath, crushed bikes, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airehead Posted November 7, 2022 Share #40 Posted November 7, 2022 15 hours ago, UglyBob said: Love to visit them. I have a hat from the only bike shop in Skagway Alaska. My favorite I've visited is Mt. Airy Bikes in Mt. Airy Maryland. What a great shop. Our first tandem came from their. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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