surprising places you've found cycling stuff?

Just wondering if you all sometimes find cycling items for sale in unexpected places?

Tonight I was looking through racks at a TJ Maxx store- they are a discount apparel/home goods outlet that gets their stock mainly from department stores. I did a double-take when I was browsing through the rack of "active-wear" and spotted the telltale back pockets of a jersey. It was a very cute Cannondale jersey- marked $12.99. Even though I just got 3 jerseys at the bike swap meet Sunday and I can't ride for 4-6 weeks because I overdid it and have to rest and stretch ... I couldn't pass it up.

I've also found jerseys and shoes at thrift stores.

How about you all?

I used to find a lot of cycling stuff @ the TJMaxx up in MA. Down in Md, not so much. But then, it could be that I don't spend as much time at the local TJM down here as I did up there.

Although I think it is it technically running gear, I've purchased tights and tops with back pockets at Target. They carry Champion brand and the clothes arent' too shabby. The tights I found on a clearance rack for $15 and this was my 3rd winter using them. They've held up better than my Trek pair actually.

hey Azfiddle, tell us about your new car? :p

I've found my cycling shoes under the sofa a number of times. :o

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vuerRrNlUQI/S8...0/101_0815.jpg

I've never seen any cycling stuff at TJ Maxx. They seem to have a lot of Nike and Addidas stuff, and not great choices there, either. I have one running type long sleeved top and a pair of pants I got there. Not too great of a chance they'd have an extra small, either! Heck, I can't even buy regular clothes there.
This is weird, but in the late eighties an REI opened where I used to live in AZ. I bought a pair of what I thought were "aerobics" shorts off the sale rack. I must not have tried them on, because when I went to wear them, there was this weird "pad" in the shorts. Little did I know that they were cycling shorts! But, I wore them for years, because of the way they flattered my body. It must have been my first experience with lycra. I think I had an inkling they were for riding, but it seems strange now.

I don't think I've ever found cycling stuff at tjmaxx or marshall's (they're basically the same owners, same chain). I really don't get to one much lately, because there aren't any within about 20 miles of my house, much to my dismay & my wallet's happiness. But I have managed to find a good amoutn of "gear" there - ski goggles, baselayers, merino wool, patagonia, cloudveil, marmot, smartwool, and icebreaker stuff... Definitely they have good prices on wicking shirts if you don't need rear pockets for cycling (I haven't managed to actually use those pockets yet). I once bought a "boater's emergency kit" there that I still use parts of kayaking - it had a tow rope, emergency blanket, first aid kit, waterproof matches, flashlight, etc. So that's still my tow rope and it's way cheaper than any kayaking specific one I could buy.

I've been surprised sometimes that I can find good prices on cycling stuff on amazon.com or 6pm.com - that's kinda like wandering into a target or some big department store and finding ibex to me.

I was out in colorado a couple weeks ago and stopped at a "mountaineering store" with some friend, while wandering around their basement clearance section, I found a small display of kayaking stuff clearanced for $5 or less - so i ended up buying a bunch of cockpit covers and some footpeg/rails for a kayak that's half built... I guess it was still a mountaineering store, but I hadn't expected to find kayaking gear, and I guess noone else did which was why it was all clearanced so low.

Mimi- we love the new Honda Fit! No surprising cycling finds in it... but Sunday we went to the bike swap meet and my DH found a great used bike, which fit in the spacious cargo area in the back with tons of room to spare.

I found a Brooks "cycling" jersey on a website (don't remember which one) for a great price. I didn't know then that Brooks is more for running. Well, it works great for cycling. It has a rear center zipper pocket and 2 side pocket that are the perfect size. And it's hi-vis. Funny how they had it under the cycling section even though the tags were all about running.


Azfiddle, sent you an email. We also went to the bike swap but didn't have your husband's luck. Maybe the next one.

Many many bike shops in my city, and many big outdoor gears stores also that carry bike gears, but it is in a small hardware store that I found the best ever rear view mirror for my bike, and I bought one for each bike. 4.99$. And they save my life every day as I commute on busy bike lanes.

I've actually been surprised at the stuff we find at thrift stores. The best was a jersey I got for my husband with a shark on it.

Claudia, I just wrote back. We had a great time at the swap meet- the DH just happened to luck into that particular bike and is very happy with it.

I found some PI Ultrasensor bike shorts at Building 19 once (or was it Building 19 1/2?). A friend saw them and told me to go there. The legs were shorter than Ultrasensors are supposed to be, so guess that's why they dumped them at Building 19.

As a result of this tread, I had to stop in at TJ Max today (not one of my normal haunts). I found a Cannondale sleeveless jersey and baggy cycling short with liner, both M which is what I usually wear. Both were way too big. :( So I went and checked the small section and found a shortsleeve Cannondale jersey that's a cute green pattern for $12.99. :) No shorts in my size though.

Does the label on the green jersey say "Leaf" ?

I wore mine today.