A Blog is (Slowly) Born

This is first entry as Spoked Bikes & Stuff penetrates into the blogosphere.  The aim is for this to be an entertaining verbal landing pad for our adventures in bicycle shoppery- from new builds and products to stories and events around St Louis and the cycling universe.

This past Sunday, the mercury dipped well below my comfort zone, and, while heartier souls than I crushed gravel at the Rocheport Roubaix, it seemed that most of St Louis was recovering from its Mardi Gras revelry and/or its Valentine's Day arguments.

The Spoked Test Kitchen whirred to life with a new experimental delicacy... this one turned out heavy on the experiment and light on the delicacy.  But such is the price one pays in the quest for the latest in affordable pro fuel.  Through some serious scientific experimentation, I did conclude, that the Spotify ‘Yacht Rock’ playlist assists in the digestion of all manner of unsavory flavor combinations.  

The weekend’s forecast predicted (and rightly so) a fair bit of the white winter stuff.  We know that our customers are a resilient bunch so we waited with expertise, hot coffee, and the smooth mellow tones of 'What A Fool Believes.’

Our amazing customers with their stories and adventures never fail to disappoint.  Fakie Matt stops in for a cup and to chat about his upcoming airborne adventures to skate parks in Louisville and Austin.  Mr. Bell, a neighborhood favorite and horn player extraordinaire, rolls in with a common question amidst the aforementioned impending weather "Exactly how fat of tires can I fit on this bike?"  After prostrating before the deities governing road brake caliper clearance, the answer turned out to be 32c Kenda Happy Mediums.  With those and SKS X3 Mud flap another winter warrior is outfitted to slay the elements.

Another round of coffee and another friend.  This one coming from the Ill side to have a cup and pick up some Mad Alchemy embrocation.  I'm pretty sure I saw him lather up his face before stepping back outside.  Then, just as I thought there was going to be no one to rescue me from trying to write this post, one of the fine gents from the Wolfpack Hustle strolled in with a sweet steel steed and an achy knee.

We put his Raleigh Rush Hour in the stand and started evaluating position as well as, and this is one of my favorite things about a quality fit, his usage.  He was planning on using this bike for some track racing, but for now it saw most of its use as his bike messenger work bike.  With this in mind, we left room for a more aggressive position in a few months, but still found saddle issues as well as some suspect cleat position.  Our Wolfpacker enjoyed a beer while we put on some new (and better placed) cleats and talked seatposts and saddles.  Back in the trainer, we discussed breathing technique and some great off the bike stretches.  (Do as I say, not as I do.  I promise, this year I'll touch my toes.) He left with a happier knee and the promise that we can tweak the position if things don't clear up.

So that is how I spent my Sunday procrastinating on this post.  In the future I imagine my missives will be more focused, but I think this serves as a good introduction to the things we love about our young bike shop.  Enjoying new and old friends, making someone's day a little easier, and always always planning the next ride.

Come for the bikes and stay for the stuff.  Or the other way around.  It doesn't matter, we'll be here.

-shane

Gone [Ice] Fishin'