New women's only cycling shop in Ellicott City, MD!!!

[Kalidurga]

I just received this notice from Race Pace cycles. Pretty cool news! I spoke with Patti Harden and she asked that if you'd like to attend the grand opening fashion show, please call or e-mail her to RSVP. Her plan is to have the store open for business on that date or soon after.



Bella Bikes Women's Bike Shop

Race Pace Bicycles is opening a new location dedicated to women cyclists.
Bella Bikes will be the first women's only bike store in the US.

We are having a grand opening fashion show on December 8, 2007 at 6pm. Bella bikes is located at 8450 Baltimore National Pike in Normandy Shopping Center Ellicott City, MD.

Bella Bikes will carry bikes and accessories for the woman cyclist. Whether you ride road bikes, cruisers or mountain bikes you will find gear and assistance to make your cycling experience more enjoyable. Our staff of women riders have grown with the sport and can help you grow too.
We plan to carry traditional brands of bicycles such as Trek and Felt and Electra. We will have the largest selection of women's cycling apparel in the region. We will stock brands such as Terry, Trek, Descente, Shebeest, Oomph, and Dude Girl. Our website will be active in the next two weeks with information on events.

RSVP via email or phone to reserve your place at the Fashion Show.
email: ultragrl2001@yahoo.com
phone: 410-461-7878

Sincerely,
Patti Harden
Bella Bikes

web: http://www.bellabikes.com

Race Pace Bicycles | 9930 Reisterstown Rd | Owings Mills | MD | 21102

[HillSlugger]

Tam, are you thinking/planning to go? I think I'm interested.

[Kalidurga]

I don't know if I can make it or not. I may be working that day and wouldn't be able to get up to Ellicott City in time. I'm definitely interested in checking the shop out once it's open, though.

[7rider]

I might be curious enough to check this out.
I cringe at the words "fashion show" however, as I seem to recall someone (here? elsewhere?) lamenting about a women's bike fashion show at some event that was filled with size zero models and didn't show anything for the "rest of us".

[HillSlugger]

I've reserved a space.

[HillSlugger]

I've reserved a space.

Anyone know if they monitor the traffic on TE forums? They might gain a lot of insight from the threads on what women want in a bike shop.

[Kalidurga]

I talked to Patti before I posted the info here, and then I sent her the link. It was kind of funny-- when I mentioned that I posted at the Team Estrogen forum, she apparently thought it was a cycling "team" :cool: I agree that she should definitely check out the forum for ideas.

[HillSlugger]

I've emailed with her and suggested that she could gain some great insight from TE forums. I even sent links to two relevant threads. She replied that she'd take a look and that she wanted to become a registered user.

I realized that I recognize her name...she's the woman that runs the pre-Iron Girl clinics.

[Beth H.]

Patti Harden is an accomplished triathlete and a terrific triathlon coach. I think she also still rides with Team BBC. I trained with Patti a little bit last year and feel confident that with Patti at the helm, female bike and triathlon enthusiasts will be well-served.

[HillSlugger]

It's been like a year since you rode with us! Did you do Iron Girl?

[Beth H.]

No, I didn't do Irongirl. I actually did one of Patti's Irongirl clinics, hated the course and did Luray instead. Nice course, beautiful lake swim, challenging but scenic bike ride and an OK run. Also did New Jersey State Sprint and Virginia Run. Did you do any tri's last year?

[HillSlugger]

I did the 3 Sports Triathlon in Richmond and the Iron Girl in Columbia. The 3 Sport didn't go as hoped: I tanked the pool swim and fell apart completely on the run. Iron Girl was really hard but I did well and it was a great experience.

[7rider]

I've reserved a space.

Anyone know if they monitor the traffic on TE forums? They might gain a lot of insight from the threads on what women want in a bike shop.

Well, the event is this saturday and I never got my act together to RSVP.
There are currently a dozen things on our weekend "to do" list, so I don't think a trek to Ellicott City is in the cards (but I will be in Columbia, close by....hmmm). Give us a report, MDHS or KD, if you go.

[Possegal]

i sent an email to RSVP but never got an email back and totally forgot to call. my schedule is a bit busy but i may still try and stop by and see if i ended up on the rsvp list. :)

[HillSlugger]

I almost forgot about this! I'll let you know all about it.

[Kalidurga]

I'll be at work today until at least 6:30 and then I have to go home to torture my cat, so I can't make it. Are you going, Nicole?

[HillSlugger]

I am going!

[HillSlugger]

So, went to Bella Bikes for the fashion show. The store is not yet fully set up; they expect a grand opening probably in February. It's set up that it'll basically be an annex of Race Pace.

We all got Swag Bags:
Trek WSD water botle
Trek WSD multitool
Gore bike wear lanyard and lip balm
Luna Sport Electrolyte drink mix
Clif Shot
Iron Girl t-shirt (this kinda pisses me off since I had to earn my t-shirt!)

The fashion show was real amateur but they showed some interesting women's clothing from Sheila Moon, Dude Girl, and Oomph, among others.

My daughter and partner won Trek fleece gloves; I won a Primal Wear jersey.

Met Patti Hardin.

I really hope Bella Bikes does well. I'll have to check it out after their grand opening.

[Grog]

Trek WSD multitool

Don't tell me it's pink....??

[HillSlugger]

Don't tell me it's pink....??

Actually, it's blue, white and red as is the water bottle. It's a decent tool, but it seems a bit heavy.

[Kalidurga]

Sounds very cool. I'll have to detour through Ellicott City on the way to B'more sometime in February and introduce myself to Patti. I'm definitely looking forward to a shop with a more extensive assortment of women's gear.

[7rider]

So, went to Bella Bikes for the fashion show. The store is not yet fully set up; they expect a grand opening probably in February. It's set up that it'll basically be an annex of Race Pace.


Met Patti Hardin.


So, does "annex of Race Pace" mean it's physically located in or next to RP?
I'm not familiar with the shop, although I've heard of it.

Is Patti the ower or manager?

[HillSlugger]

So, does "annex of Race Pace" mean it's physically located in or next to RP?
I'm not familiar with the shop, although I've heard of it.
It's essentially a large room/space off the side of the Race Pace shop. I'd never been there before so I don't know if it's space taken away from the shop or additional space added on. It is capable of having it's own entrance from the outside, but I don't know if they'll be using it. The shop will have its own dressing rooms and its own sales staff, but will share the mechanics with Race Pace.

Is Patti the owner or manager?

Patti is the manager.

BTW Race Pace is the largest bike shop I've seen.

[Grog]

Actually, it's blue, white and red as is the water bottle. It's a decent tool, but it seems a bit heavy.

So what's WSD about it, then??

[HillSlugger]

So what's WSD about it, then??

Well, it says "WSD" on it, of course! ;) :rolleyes:

[Grog]

Well, it says "WSD" on it, of course! ;) :rolleyes:

*sigh*

[HillSlugger]

I don't think the tool is meant to be WSD, rather it's meant to advertise the Trek WSD bike line.

[Kalidurga]

Well, it says "WSD" on it, of course! ;) :rolleyes:

Must be made for our obviously more delicate little fingers :rolleyes:

The Race Pace shops in Ellicott City and Columbia are both huge. I was overwhelmed the first time I visited the one in Ellicott City, so now I know it'll be even worse the next time I go ;)

[7rider]

Well, it says "WSD" on it, of course! ;) :rolleyes:

Ya mean it's not pink with flowers on it????

I think I've driven by the RP in Columbia, but I always get lost in that area. All the roads look alike, and they all have some goofy 3-part name. :rolleyes:

[HillSlugger]

I never said it didn't have flowers (actually, I think they're leaves) ;) :rolleyes:
http://bontrager.com/images/products/large/402731.jpg