Trade You

Bikes are filthy. I'm not complaining- a dirty bike is a bike that's being used for the greater good (I assume). We clean every bike that comes in for service because it allows us to inspect for damage and wear. A clean bike also looks better, works better and parts last longer. To properly clean bikes we need rags.

We go through a boatload of rags. Especially this time of year- the bikes we're seeing for tune ups are covered in road salt and grime. As soon as the weather warms up a little all of the dusty 'stored in the basement/garage' bikes will be coming of of hiding. Old t-shirts are my personal favorite rag choice- absorbent enough, soft enough, and strong enough to last through multiple uses. Also- cheap and plentiful (sometimes). Last spring I did a major purge of my own t collection, and it's lasted pretty much until now (I had a lot of shirts to get rid of). This year I can't spare any more shirts, so I'll trade you for yours.

Bring in 4 old cotton t's- washed, please, I don't want your armpit stank in the shop- and get a FREE FLAT FIX. You know those shirts that are too worn out/embarrassing/stained to donate to Goodwill- we'll take 'em. 

We'll give you a card- you don't currently have to have a flat to get in on this.

You aren't going to wear that shirt you got at that 5k three years ago. We need it, and we'll put it to good use. Maybe we'll even use it to wipe your bike down when you bring it in for that flat.

We'll keep this deal going until we have enough rags, which is going to be a while. I'll give you fair warning so you'll have plenty of time to get your hands on some free flat fixing.

Another Non-Bungee Option

Friend of the shop, pickle impersonator, and all around good guy- Trombone Tally stopped by the shop yesterday to recycle a few bicycle bits and pieces. (We'll recycle stuff for you, too if you want. We can take metal, tubes and tires.) He very cleverly bundled up some old (and multiply patched) tubes with some "produce velcro". It's a thin bit of flexible velcro-ish material that sticks to itself along its whole legnth. It used to secure Romaine Lettuce.

You already know I'm against using bungee cords for securing stuff to your bike- and I gave you a couple of not too expensive/free alternatives. This stuff won't be enough to secure a box or bundle of groceries to your rack/basket, but I think it'd work beautifully to secure a lock, or hand pump or some other such accessory.  Trombone Tally mentioned that he uses it as an emergency pant strap as well. If you love reusing/reycling, vegetables, and bikes, keep an eye out for this stuff.
 

Favorite

We got new stickers! For your bike. Your favorite bike. I'm terrible at favorites- I don't have a favorite color, or food, or animal (Oh, wait. Yes I do.). Every trail I've ridden has at one time, or another been my 'favorite'. Just as every bike I've had has spent a least a little time as the 'favorite'. It's just too much work to pick out the most/best/greatest out of a bunch of good things. And, in the end, does orange care that it's your fave? So why try to force a choice of a 'favorite' by sticker? Well, if you have one bike, it's easy. And if you have more than one bike, we got a boatload of these- so you can have more than one sticker.

 

Wait! But what if your bikes find out that they're all your favorite? Here's the thing- bikes are inanimate objects, so they won't know if none/all of them are favorites. Have a bike you feel 'eh' about? Maybe this sticker will make you feel better about it. Try it out.

 

This bike has no idea that it's only one of a number of favorites. 

Swing by the shop to pick up one (or more) of these babies. Or hit us up on Twitter for one.

Summer Special

Happy first day of summer! We've got a sweet, sweet deal for Bicycle Benefits members (one sweet is enough- I don't want anybody getting too excited). Today only- free sunglasses with purchase!

Just show us your Bicycle Benefits stickers when you check out and we'll toss you a pair of shades (until we run out). They even fit over other glasses. I know- I've been wearing them the last couple days and I only look slightly more nerdy than usual. Why free sunglasses? Because I know you don't need another water bottle, that's why.

Not a Bicycle Beneficiary? We've got the stickers here! They're $5, and they'll get you deals all over town. So stop in, enjoy some AC, and grab some shades.

Lost and found

My favorite benefit to bicycle transpo (besides the health, environmental, economic benefits... oh, and that it kind of is my career/business) is that you find stuff. Stuff that you'd miss if you were riding in an enclosed vehicle. Like this little guy I found in the bike lane yesterday:

This baseball finds its place among the other amazing treasures I've found over the years- keys, a copy of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo", $20, bike lights (lots of bike lights), a "Have a good first day of school. Love, Mom" note. All awesome, day-lifting finds.

So what am I going to do with this baseball? Nothing. That's not really the point. The point is... I don't know... that it's fun to find stuff that other people miss because they're trapped in a soul-sucking bubble... riding in a car. That's it.

deCordova

I had my first totally unscheduled/unplanned Sunday of the summer. What to do with a full day off and nothing that I have to do? So I thought I'd do some exploring by bicycle. I'd heard some good things about the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. It turned out to be a mellow ride out there- lots of bike path. The route I took also cut through the Minuteman National Historical Park, which was also pretty neat.

Here's the first cool thing about this place- it's FREE for cyclists! What!?! It would be well worth the $12 admission, but my wallet was waved away at the admissions booth. A new policy for this summer, it made what was already shaping up to be a great day even greater. Also there is a well-placed bike rack, which is welcome change from having to hunt for a street sign to lock up to. It felt like a nice "Hey, you, thanks for riding your bike!"

The sculptures on the grounds of the museum are really very cool. As are the grounds themselves. What a beautiful spot. If I had know, I would have brought a picnic. Next time. I grabbed a few pictures, although they definitely don't do the place justice. You'll just have to take my word for how rad it really is.











The woman at the admission booth also tipped us off to the great view from the 6th floor roof terrace of the museum. I have to admit, the weather was so beautiful I didn't spend any time in the museum, which I'm sure is also very cool, but I did get up to the roof terrace. She wasn't joking.