Hey there, I just wanted to drop a quick update that Big Mike’s Bikes will be on pause due to the current ongoing public health issue. As everyone else, I am hoping this will be very short and I will update as things progress. Stay safe, everyone, and keep on pedaling!
— Mike
It sure feels like spring today, aw yisssss!
My target opening date for Stage Fort Park setup is Thursday April 16th! In the meantime, mobile appointment calls are coming in FAST- call or text 334-BIKES-34 to get your bike ready for 2020!
I want to drop a YOOGE THANKS to the awesome folks at Awesome Gloucester for selecting and awarding the BMB Bicycle Rehabilitate and Redistribute project last week! That $1000 is going to help rehab a LOT of bikes! Got something awesome to offer to our community? Give ’em a look and maybe they can help you out as well!
The next focus for this giveback project involves the Veteran’s Memorial elementary school- if you’ve got any kids bikes that you’d like to dispose of, please reach out and I’ll make sure it’s put to good use.
FULL DISCLOSURE: My stated goal is to eventually find a partner or two to help organize and open a full brick & mortar non-profit bike shop here on the island. As this is a lofty goal, until I can find more teammates, Big Mike’s Bikes is and will remain a for-profit corporation. The Repair And Redistribute project is considered a giveback, *not* a registered charity organization.
The terms of this project are : any bicycle given to me personally to help this project will be repaired to strict safety minimums and given away free of charge. No bicycle collected will be sold- If any of the bikes are unrepairable they will be stripped of usable parts and recycled. These parts will be added to my personal cache of used parts and used parts are always used first to repair bikes for this project.
I am gifting my time/labor through BMB and offering a steep discount on new parts when needed to make these repairs. Going forward the bulk of the money I’ve received from Awesome Gloucester (and a small amount from friends so far) will be used to purchase new parts, helmets, locks, and lights from Big Mike’s Bikes at a 10% over cost markup (to cover shipping) plus sales tax. Depending on demand for these giveback bikes, I may reserve a small amount (~$300) to cover storage costs if needed OR to arrange a non-profit used bike parts library for the community. I am building slowly, as time allows, and hope to see this project evolve over time!
The first giveback was a total of 7 bikes and helmets fully repaired and given away at The Heights Of Cape Ann Apartment complex. The cost for these repairs was approx $115 including the 10% over cost markup and sales tax. Approx retail value of these repairs with new parts, labor, and helmets would have been over $1000. Thank you for listening and for your support!
— Mike
With some generous help from a friend and the community at large, I’ve been collecting donated bicycles and caching used parts sales money to fund the repair and distribution of free used bicycles to those in need. We are working on a giveaway in December at an apartment complex here in Gloucester- More details on this once it’s confirmed!
In the meantime, in hopes of raising awareness of the origins of Thanksgiving, I’d like to extend the rehab and redistribute offer to anyone of Native American descent on Cape Ann. Please reach out if you or members of your family would like to snag a free bike! 334-BIKES-34 or BigMikesBikes@gmail.com
Tomorrow, as hundreds of millions of americans sit down to feast on this National Day Of Mourning, I hope we can all simultaneously celebrate gratitude for what each of us has *and* remember the price that has been paid for it. To consider what it means, as a representative of our society, to have virtually eradicated and systematically oppressed an entire culture of people over the generations. To recognize that the kind of wisdom European Settlers cleansed from this land is the *exact* kind of medicine our society needs to survive today, in the face of global warming and many other battles. We can’t change what’s happened in the past, but we can build a bridge to a brighter future by having open, mindful discourse, and a more inclusive perspective on holidays such as these.
Some reading on this subject, if you are so inclined:
Thanks for listening =)
— Mike
We’re celebrating Small Business Saturday with a 20% off sale on all in-stock accessories from now until the end of 2019! Reach out via text or voice to Big Mike @ 333-BIKES-34 or BigMikesBikes@Gmail.com – he’ll work with you to personally curate and deliver a gift assortment for your favorite cyclist! Don’t forget, a limited selection of tune-up gift certificates will be available until the end of the year! You might want to grab one of these before tune-up prices increase in 2020!
All items pictured are just a sampling of what’s available with discount and sales tax calculated into the listed price! We also have a selection of tools, bags, parts, and other odds and ends, so if you don’t see what you’re looking for, just ask! Thank you SO MUCH for your support and we look forward to servicing Cape Ann in 2020!
I’ll be set up for retail sales at the Cape Ann Farmer’s Market Winter Market, Saturday November 23rd from 10-1!
As this is an indoor space, I won’t be equipped to provide repairs at this event; I will, however, have a limited selection of Tune Up Gift Certificates and all other kinds of bicycle related parts and accessories to suit your holiday gifting needs! Come say hi and check out all the other fine vendors, crafters, and makers who will be set up at this excellent community event!
Big Mike’s Bikes will be popping up at the Manchester Sustainability Fair Saturday November 2nd from 10am to 3pm at the Manchester Community Center!
“Local vendors and Town committees will show how you can Reuse, Repair and Recycle. Parfait Food Truck, Cazeault Solar, Big Mike’s Bikes, Seaside Cycle, Backyard Growers, Cape Ann Farmer’s Market, Cedar Rock Gardens, Stock Exchange, Wild Oats, Manchester Essex Conservation Trust, and local craftspeople. Sign the Use Less Pledge and get a free bag!”
Make sure you swing by the magic bike van to chat about how we can help reduce our footprint by repairing and reusing bicycles instead of replacing them. Bring your bike for service or browse our selection of parts and accessories such as lights, helmets, bags, pumps, and more!
My View of Life on the Dock
