Does your LBS do this??

[Running Mommy]

So we have a Sunday morning intermediate road ride. It's about a 40-50 mile ride, so enough to earn a good post ride breakfast.
I started bringing bagels down for everyone one morning, and now it's part of the ride. I make some coffee, put some chocolate milk in the fridge, and make a big container full of Gu Brew for the riders to refuel with.
Well last weekend I got a request from the riders. It went something like this...
"As we were riding down the hill it came to us that PANCAKES sure sounded yummy".... (hint hint)
So I just returned from Fresh and Easy were I bought everything necessary to make pancakes, along with fresh fruit, and fresh squeezed OJ.
I think I may make some pumpkin bread as well. I've been craving it lately.

I say the riders on our ride are pretty darn lucky! But then again there is nothing like sitting around chatting with all of them post ride. It's the reason why we opened the shop. At some churches they call it "fellowship" I believe. I guess it's our own bike themed version.

[uforgot]

Let's see, mapquest says that your shop is only 1437.03 miles away. Anyone up for a road trip?:D

[7rider]

On a nice, sunny Sunday, our LBS's morning ride has over 100 riders.
That's a awful lot of pancakes to be making!!
He does have a coffee/espresso machine in the shop, however, and the best deli in town right next door. And the post-ride banter is key to a great ride!

[kermit]

I'm on my way!

[channlluv]

Um..no, my lbs does not do that. Where are you again?

Roxy

[Possegal]

Great, now I want pancakes. :)
I think that sounds like a wonderful thing to do. I've never done any rides with any of my local stores, but that could very well change my mind!

[Tri Girl]

I only wish! That's it- I'm moving back to central AZ. Pancakes, great bike shop, good weather, and sunshine. Nuff said!

pssst: you're one cool shop owning cat!

[shootingstar]

Generous of you Runningmommy to provide that yummy food post-ride.

Our closest LBS does not organize local rides. The owner is too busy...he is also co-partner with my dearie on the cycling facility planning company that dearie runs.

There may be 1-2 other LBS in city that do this at a small casual level. Don't know. But then there are several cycling groups that organize and promote their rides regularily.

[tjf9]

Amazing!!! I wish I lived closer. :) My LBS offers free coffee drinks, but no pancakes. Maybe I'll suggest it. :)

[TxDoc]

Nope, no bagels and no pancakes here.
Which brings up a question... any good pathologist jobs in the local hospital? ;)

[azfiddle]

Sounds yummy and generous. Might have to come up from Tucson sometime to try that!

[spindizzy]

I'm on my way!

Me too!!

If that doesn't encourage loyalty..... just think of the camaraderie and memories you are helping to make

[wackyjacky1]

Dang, I just wish my lbs did Sunday morning rides. Everything is always on Saturday, and I work Saturday mornings. Sigh.

[jusdooit]

Have a LBS that bakes fresh bread for Sat. morning shop rides. Let's see, can I get to you in time for Sun. ride after Sat. bread?

[divingbiker]

As far as I know, my LBS doesn't have regularly scheduled shop rides, but every Thursday night they have a dinner for customers. Whoever shows up at the shop is welcome, and potluck is fine, but they'll have beer, pizza, hotdogs, beans, whatever strikes their fancy that day. I've only been once, but it was a lot of fun.

[tulip]

As far as I know, my LBS doesn't have regularly scheduled shop rides, but every Thursday night they have a dinner for customers. Whoever shows up at the shop is welcome, and potluck is fine, but they'll have beer, pizza, hotdogs, beans, whatever strikes their fancy that day. I've only been once, but it was a lot of fun.

yep, this is my LBS, too, even though I moved away from the area. The Thursday night dinners are alot of fun.

[AllezGirl]

My LBS does have a Sunday morning ride. But they do not feed us. :mad:
I think that should change and I will make that suggestion.
I can already hear the laughing :cool:

[Eden]

hmmmm - so many cycling teams and clubs around here I don't even think the shops do rides.... or at least I've never heard about any of them having a shop ride.

[OakLeaf]

Wow RM, I've never even heard of a shop feeding the riders. Way to go. Will you be my mommy?

[Running Mommy]

The crowd just left, with bellies full of pancakes and fruit. Happy, happy, happy!
One of the ladies on the ride bonked badly at the end, so having nice warm pancakes waiting for her was a good thing.
It sure is fun to sit and chat with everyone. It's what keeps me going. Whenever I get down and just want to give up, I think about days like today.

The shop now has the lingering aroma of blueberry pancakes.. - Sure beats the rubber and solvent smell..:D

Have a good Sunday all!

[Red Rock]

RM- Congrats on doing something like this. You are totally awsome. I hope things are going well for you all.

To answer your question, no none of the bike shops around here do anything close to something like that. The shops around here want the business but as far as "doing things together" socially it is a lost cause. I think they are all male owners, I don't know if that makes a difference.

I hear of what other shops are doing through the forum and would love to be able to go to a place like that and fell comfortable actually talking to someone about cycling related activites. Even having a once a week class on basic maintenance would be a step up around here. That will not happen either. So I find it hard to "be friendly" going into any of the shops around here.

Continued good wishes to you...
Red Rock

[malkin]

Fun!
I'd bring my waffle iron!

[Yelsel]

Dang, where were you umpteen million years ago when I went to the U of A for undergraduate?! Darn. :)

[staceysue]

I'm going to have to tell my LBS all about you!

[ridebikeme]

Great idea RM! AS Eden mentioned, there are many groups to coordinate here, but we do get together a couple times of year. In late winter/early spring, we have a "CHili Ride" and the weather can definitely be a challenge. We'll have several types of chili, salad, desserts, along with drinks. WE have been doing this since 1996 and it's TONS of fun. It's generally the first ride outside for people after the winter, and a fun time seeing everyone again. This past year, the weather was very cold, it had been raining for days, so we ended up doing a trainer ride and then enjoyed catching up. I also have a great group of people that INSIST that they bring food as well, so it makes it nice for everyone. Although we have been doing this for many years, I thoroughly enjoy seeing everyone and people really seem to like to be able to cook and experiment from year to year. Our shop may host this, but I have to give credit to everyone who cooks and continues to ride each year.:D

[arielmoon]

You are awesome! I hope they appreciate it!

My LBS is fantastic. We have a Monday evening ride and in this summer we were treated to cold Watermelon afterward.

[Loraura]

Excellent idea! I'm giong to steal it!

My husband and I are the ride leaders for our cycling club at work. We ride every other Saturday.

Perhaps I can tempt a few extra riders to continue through the "challenge route" if they know there's food waiting at the end!

Maybe I can come up with a creative red polka dot treat for the king of the hill for the day (our challenge route is an extra 10 miles of hills taked onto the end of the regular ride).

[Running Mommy]

And it was darn good!
I made two loaves of challah in the breadmaker lastnight for the french toast.
And this am I made a pumpkin struessel coffee cake from scratch.
Some fresh fruit, OJ, GU Brew electrolyte drink, and good conversation.

Everyone left happy once again!! My Giant bicycles rep rode with them, and she was in heaven!!

Hosting a party tuesday night after our Ibis demo. Need to figure out an easy menu?? ugh
Any idea's??

[sundial]

Your customers are spoiled silly by you. :D

[out_spokin']

Love the community-building...Friday "beer-thirty" at my fave LBS (lucky to have several I can happily call my LBS) resembles the potluck + grilling items scenario, but don't know of any group ride options quite like yours. Of course our local club (an LAB club of the year) is one of the several that likes to bill itself as "the eating club with a cycling disorder" so there are often some pretty fun eating options connected to rides around here.

For your evening "easy" meal - how 'bout some variation of frito pie? A few bowls of pre-shredded cheese & lettuce, bags o' chips, and either do crock pot cooking or open a few cans/jars of pinto beans and/or chili and/or chile and you're set! ;)

[katluvr]

I am very jealous. I don't think any of our local bike shops do anything at all.
My main LBS does, on occassion, do a women night, sponsored by Trek. But it is really for newbies. Some wine and cheese --but that is about all.
Maybe I need to move!;)