First Bike Stories II

Back in August of '07 I published a request for people to tell their "First Bike Story". Working here at Gregg's for the last 15 years or so, one of the best parts of the job is having all the people come and tell me that they bought their first bike at Greenlake years ago. To a person, they get a wistful look in their eyes when they talk about their first bike. First bikes are special, they mean more than their parts. They mean freedom, fun, inclusion in a select group of people that ride, most of all independence. People are passionate about their bicycles. Recently I asked, on twitter, for people to tell me their favorite bike. The answers were quick and passionate.

benayers @greggscycles my favourite bike without doubt my new BH road bike. A beauty and so quick it scares me.

stephs @greggscycles SOMA Rush. I absolutely adore this bike. I leave my husband every day to be with it.

dantisser @greggscycles The bike Im riding this weekend, a 2006 Foes Fly with a Manitou Travis


RunVMC @greggscycles Yellow fixie, converted from my dad's early 70s Motobecane 10-spd frame (new wheels/pedals/bars/etc.) is my all-time fav (RIP)

There are few objects that inspire the same passion (at least in my experience). People love their bikes and they especially love their first bikes. Here are a few lines from a couple of the first bike stories:

My first bike was purchased before I could be influenced by what might be "cool". I was still a year away from kindergarten and based my decision solely on color and aesthetics. It was candyapple red with red and white streamers.
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So the summer before college, I bought a 1988 black Diamondback Topanga mountain bike for about $300 of my babysitting dollars and started biking around hot, muggy Houston in all sorts of conditions. Just to get ready.
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Inside was a brand new credit card, pre-approved, just call to activate. I called, walked down to Gregg's and rode home on my brand new purple and gold Specialized Rockhopper Comp with full Suntour X-1 components. I loved that bike. I'm probably still paying it off!
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It's your turn. Tell us about your first bike. Just use the comments link and share your story. Thanks and have fun!

Technorati Tags: first bike, bicycle, bikes

Bike Friendly Bellevue

Seems that Bellevue is really trying to push alternative transportation. This makes sense with all of the construction that is going on.

Check this out: http://www.chooseyourwaybellevue.org/

Gas Prices and Bike Sales?

I'm getting the question quite often these days. Mostly from publications that want me to advertise with them. "Are recent gas prices increasing your sales?" At this point it's too early to tell. But, there have been quite a few recent news articles that would lead you to believe that this is true. I especially like this one as it make great sense to pair the Washington State Ferries and cycling.

Make room for more bikes

TAD SOOTER; Reporter
tsooter@bainbridgereview.com
Published: May 17, 2008 12:00:00 AM

On Monday, Washington State Ferry Captain Ty Anderson watched 130 bicyclists pedal onto the 5:30 p.m. sailing from Seattle to Bainbridge.

It was the most cyclists he had ever seen board a regular commuter run, but he was hardly surprised by the number. Anderson, himself an islander and bicycle commuter, has seen the number of cyclists grow steadily in his 25 years as a captain.

Read more...

I'll keep posting them as I see more. Thanks to the bikeologist for the link. You can check out some of his videos here.