1/22/04 by George Liolios
I'm sharing this article from Road Bike Rider.com. Good reasons to support our Local Bike Shop sponsor Marty's.
We got a chuckle from an interview with Thomas Prehn in the cycling trade publication, Bicycle Retailer and Industry News.
Prehn has been in the sport since the early 1970s. He won the '86 U.S. pro road championship and finished all 13 editions of the Red Zinger/Coors Classic, the late and lamented Colorado stage race that gave so many U.S. pros their start.
Prehn is now president of the Cat Eye Service and Research Center and runs his own cycling statistics business, International Cycle Works.
In the BRAIN interview, he was musing about bike shops vs. mailorder and quoted a friend: >> "The bike shop is my country club. I'm willing to spend a little more money to have the positive experience of hanging out at my country club."
Fred likes to hang out at Uncle Al's shop, Cascade Bicycles, in their hometown of Montrose, CO. He's never thought of it as a country club, and the Unc sure doesn't, but the concept works.
We linger at our local shops to share riding experiences, get the scoop on events and equipment, hear what roads have just been re-paved and chat about Lance's chances. Most of all, we share the camaraderie of the cycling community.
If you don't have a "country club" relationship with your LBS, develop one by patronizing it and meeting the owner and staff. Soon you'll earn hanging-out privileges.
Yeah, you may pay more for components and clothing than at the discount mailorder companies. And we wouldn't dream of telling you how to spend your hard-earned money (except on some cycling books).
But when you need advice and service, a good shop can't be beat. Neither can the friendships that develop while your bike is in the workstand.
One other thing is certain: Shop visits are a whole lot cheaper than a real country club membership!