penlu

Hi all! I recently became interested in the history of my bicycle, which is labeled as a Raleigh Triumph but is 10-speed with a sport touring geometry. There's a decal on the down tube that announces that it's from Bill & Andy's, 30 Chelmsford, Chelmsford, MA, which is about 20 miles away. There's not a lot of information about Bill & Andy's online -- I see a record of sale of the building in 2004, a mention of a Bill & Andy's toy store, a mention of a Bill & Andy's Shell station, and a couple of mentions in a couple of obituaries. These few mentions point to a colorful story, but it seems that this ended somewhat pre-internet. So I am posting to ask:

• Does anyone remember Bill & Andy's? Were they a gas station, a toy store, a bicycle shop, all of the above?
• Who were Bill and Andy?
• Is there anyone still around that I could ask about my bicycle? (I've posted in Classic & Vintage about it. Check out my gallery for images.)

Relatedly, I'm thinking of riding out there and asking around in person. 20 miles isn't far, but I'm a total noob, and it'll be my longest ride yet.

EVlove

Hi, I live in Chelmsford. I never knew it as Bill & Andy's but that address, 30 Chelmsford St, was a bike shop for many years, Chelmsford Cyclery. They went out of business just before the pandemic bike boom. The building is now pool supplies on one side and ski & snowboard on the other. The back, which faces the Bruce Freeman trail, probably still says Chelmsford Cyclery. This photo is from about a year ago.



That's all I know, I never went inside. By reputation, the owner was a total jerk.

rumrunn6

I went in a cpl times. I think they tweaked something for me. seemed OK. don't remember seeing much merchandise

penlu

Thanks for the info! Interesting that the cyclery logo is still up there. I presume you haven't been around since 2003 -- or have you, and Bill & Andy's is still before that time?

EVlove

I've been here since 2001. I suppose the change from B&A to CC is that sale in 2004 you found.

mr,grumpy 

My wife grew up in Chelmsford I still have her Dad’s old Raleigh Marathon and her Raleigh 30 MTB is still in the family. Both proudly sport the Bill and Andy’s stickers.

Interesting note about Chelmsford Cyclery , they were one of the few businesses on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail to elect to NOT have direct access TO the Bruce Freeman rail trail.