Moving into a new phase for the shop! I’ve been getting a lot of requests for bike rentals, something that’s been missing in Gloucester for a while. My hope is that this will help more people — both visitors and locals — get outside and enjoy our beautiful area. So starting soon, bikes will be available for rent at the Stage Fort Park pop-up spot and via scheduled pickup and dropoff.
I’ve been spending this too-long winter assembling a rental fleet of refurbished bikes for adults and kids. Each one has its own particular history and character and, naturally, a name that reflects its seaside home.
Flipper: 19.5in frame good for 5’10+, single speed w/coaster brake
So this week I’d like you to meet Flipper! She’s a lightweight, agile single-speed with a coaster brake. Combining minimalist chic with the dolphin’s joie de vivre, Flipper would love to take you out for a spin. How about Eastern Point?
A few weeks ago I wrote about the excitement we felt as kids when spring was approaching. I still feel that excitement every year, and I’ve just started getting my “spring bike” tuned up a bit. If it’s warm enough on the weekend (over 40 degrees) I’ll make sure I get out for a ride.
As enjoyable as those first rides are in the early spring, there are a few hidden issues that both cyclists and motorists should be aware of. So how to ride safely? I call it Situational Awareness. As a cyclist, I’m always looking forward and plotting out potential areas of danger, as well as being conscious of any motorist traffic that may be coming up from behind.
The Toxic Waste Dump
First, it’s pothole season, and most towns have not gotten out to start repairing the roads. Potholes are not your friends [no small matter?], trust me. This time of year they’re frequently filled with water or, worse, ice. And they’re usually surrounded by the dirt and gravel that get splashed out. I try to pick out a route that has minimal potholes, but that’s not always possible.
The Stealth Destroyer
You have two choices with a pothole: ride around it or go through it. Please don’t go through it! Bicycle rims can be fragile, and a deep enough hole can cause the handlebars to turn, resulting in a quick and painful crash for you. Even worse, you could land in the path of an oncoming car. The best move is to slow down, look over your left shoulder quickly to check for cars and, if the coast is clear, go around the hole. If I have a safe distance from a motorist behind me, I’ll use my left hand to point down at the road to signal them that I’ll be avoiding the hole.
So you have to be constantly aware of what’s in front of you and what’s behind. And the motorist has responsibility, too. If you’re not a cyclist and are reading this from the point of view of a driver, be aware that a bike up ahead might suddenly move out into the lane to avoid an obstacle. Slow down, and pass only when you can maintain a safe distance. They’ll return to the edge of the roadway as soon as it’s safe.
Now, what’s the safe distance between a motorist and a cyclist? Thirty-two states in the U.S. have enacted what’s called the Three-Foot Law: a motorist passing a bicycle must leave at least three feet between car and bike. If they can’t pass safely, they must slow down until they can. Massachusetts does not have a Three Foot Law, but does specify that the cyclist must be passed at a “safe distance.” We’ll have more on this in the future when we discuss “door zones.”
If you’re out riding in the next few weeks, keep your eyes open for potholes and signal to motorists if you’re approaching one. They will really appreciate it!
As always, ride safe!
Scott Ryder is a photographer, a cyclist and a long-time resident of the North Shore. You can see his work on Instagram or contact him at scottryderphoto@gmail.com.
Hey friends, looks like the city needs a little more time to get the Stage Fort Park vendor space ready, so the opening of the Big Mike’s Bikes pop-up shop planned for Thursday the 21st will have to wait a bit.
Ahh, island life! But don’t worry: I’m here for you. I’ll be available for mobile service this week, Wednesday to Sunday, and can even provide on-call service if needed Thursday to Saturday.
Let’s hang in there — like the coming of spring, opening day for Big Mike’s Bikes might be delayed but will always inevitably arrive!
The total proceeds for the yard sale today amounted to $30. It doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a start and in terms of bike parts at cost, free labor, and free used parts it can actually go pretty far! If you are a recipient of EBT, free or reduced school lunch or SSI, and need a bike fixed up, grab your chance now by just reaching out. First come, first served and please feel free to spread the word. Call or text 334-BIKES-34 or email bigmikesbikes@gmail.com
We’ve sprung forward and I’m excited to get started at Stage Fort Park soon! I wanted to drop a quick update to clarify how I’ll be using the money collected at the driveway sale on Sunday! Whatever money that comes in from the sale will be set aside and totalled up- the entirety of the proceeds will be used to help fix up bikes for folks with *no markup* on parts and with *no labor charges* added.
By the end of Sunday I will post the total amount collected on the blog and announce a call to those who need help. If you’re struggling and need a bike fixed up for transportation or for a family member, please reach out as soon as you can- I will do my best to repair as many bikes as I can as soon as I can with this money. I do anticipate being quite busy by the time the warm weather rolls around so let’s use this brief period of lousy Smarch weather to get some wheels on the road!
Once the pot is empty I will resume my standard flat 20pct EBT or hardship discount for new parts and labor, with the entire stock of free used parts always available for those who need them.
Hopefully things go well, and with some help I’ll be able to do this more often! For now, I’m considering this a seed to be planted and will see how it goes from here!
On St Patrick’s Day, Sunday 3/17, from 10-1 I’ll be having a used bicycle parts driveway sale at my home on 25 Addison St in Gloucester.
The entire collection of used parts and projects will be up for grabs, and perhaps even some bicycles that are ready to ride! 100% of proceeds on parts and projects will be set aside for hardship assistance to customers in need in 2019. Help us fill a pot of gold to help our neighbors in the community!
If you have any questions or specific needs, of if you’d like to donate to the cause, feel free to email BigMikesBikes@gmail.com or call or text 334-BIKES-34!
This is Sylvia, a customer’s Merlin Camena. She loves to get around Cape Ann, and we’re gonna let you guess all the spots she’s visited.
Scott Ryder is a photographer, a cyclist and a long-time resident of the North Shore. You can see his work on 
Opening Day at Stage Fort Park Postponed
