fish0n

This is so freaken awesome!!!!!!!!!!


https://bikeportland.org/2008/02/13/l...like-portland/

Junkdad

There's an article in today's Austin American Statesman

https://www.austin360.com/recreation/...4bikeshop.html

Austin has a long way to go, but every little bit helps.

knobster

Pretty cool. Can't wait to move out there. Set foot there March 7th.

jeff-o

Sweet, he also wants to open a commuter bike shop... He'll be the fastest "Fred" you'll ever encounter!

markhr

hairy legs, platfrom pedals, redwing work boots, saddle all the way down, barends flipped and still fastest traffic light to traffic light

ajmstilt

*is picturing Lance on 360, in full Fred gear, on a 30 year old rusted out "cruiser" dropping the dude who just dropped $10k on a full carbon fiber unobtainium bike and the latest "wicking'-poly-ethel-gor-titatium-fiber" jersy.

hehe

ShinyBiker

Interesting. No mention in the story about his anabolic steroid use. Er, "alleged" steroid use.

thdave

This is exciting.

To create a national bike movement, like the article mentions, we need to change the attitude of this counrty toward bicycling. Lance, while he's a superstar, was just a road racer. Most folks can't strive for that, and, more importantly, won't change their car-centric world by it. But if Lance becomes a transportational cyclist who sells and advocates commuting bikes, then the people can be like Lance! He could make Fred cool. Fenders, racks, lights--Fredisms--could be cool! I love it.

To do it right though, he needs to deal in well equipped bikes. It sounds like he will. This makes my day.

knobster

Yeah, because that really belongs in this type of story. Moron.

oboeguy

I'm going to assume that the heavy emphasis on the commuter means that the shop will have decent hours, i.e. is open early and late. That's a big untapped market, IMO, the early and late hours often ignored by bike shops.

M_S

Lance has always been a proponent of less bling and more practicality when it came to his race bikes. For the years he was riding for Trek the Madone was pretty much a solid, reliable, no frills race bike. As Bike Snob NYC so aptly noted, it became a ridiculous wonder bike full of poprietary parts as soon as he (Lance) retired. So while obviously no Madone ever made is a typical commuting machine, it's awsome that he seems consistently able to cut through marketing BS. This really is great news.

jeff-o

Oh, I know!!! The bike shops in my area open at 10 and close at 5 (though some are open to 6, big whoop)... when am I supposed to go and get a critical part I need, on my half hour lunch break? Jeez...

HardyWeinberg

and the really really commuter-friendly shop here only opens at freaking 11. Although to be fair, each of the other, sport-focused, shops have fixed things for me immediately when they could see that it was a matter of getting to/from work. That only helped if I had an issue when I was near them of course... anyway, good for Lance, great to see the substance there. And if his commuter shop does have get-to-work-on-time dope, I'd listen to the sales spiel...

50Mules

It's funny how China, as a relatively poor country, was the commuter and utility bicycle capital of the world. As it becomes more affluent, many of the Chinese are showing a preference for motorized transit. While many in the US, being the most affluent country in the world, are moving in the opposite direction.

jeff-o

Um, no they aren't. They just make themselves feel better by getting hybrid SUVs.

genec

about freaking time. I realize he was the national cancer spokesman for a long time... but his standing as a cyclist is something I had hoped would be used for just this sort of thing... engaging Americans to get out and ride.

caloso

This is great. And good business too, since the biggest growth is going to be the commuter market rather than racing.

knatchwa

sounds like a fine plan one more reason to set my sites on a tour cross the country to see this shop when it comes to fruition besides the fact then I would be able to see some of my relatives so next time I see them it is a coffin. Glad to hear Lance is doing some good.

Plosive

I wonder if he carries his lunch, testosterone, cortisone, and EPO in a backpack or panniers?
Just kidding Lance apologists...
My former co-workers and "disgruntled" former masseuse spread viscous rumors about me also.
They claim I gorged myself on the bowl of mini-snickers in the conference room on Halloween.
I admit I tried the candy, but did not inhale.

Okiegonian

That article really paints an exciting picture of the place - if it's successful, I could see "Mellow Johnny's" modeled stores popping up all over the US.

Seems like Lance was following this thread from the commuting forum when the idea came about - he's got about everything covered from folks' wish lists mentioned there.

Little Darwin

I'm not a Lance apologist, but I am tired of having to see the venomous messages every time his name is encountered.

Please understand that I am neither condemning nor pardoning Lance when I say...

WE HEARD IT ALREADY!!!

Thank you!

thdave

Agree wholeheartedly. There's been two posts already on this, ruining a nice thread.

Plosive

Come on Lil" Darwin... This is a NEW twist.

It is a little too ironic (“Its like raeeeain on your wedding day”[yes this is a jab/reference to his former love interest ]) that Lance was happy to be DRIVEN BY WHATS INSIDE when Subaru was paying him 12 Million dollars, but when the deal goes sour, Lance becomes a champion of bicycle commuting advocacy?

Mr. Armstrong panders to whomever and whatever will make him even richer so that he can date as many Olsen twins or other flavor of the week bimbos in a sad and desperate attempt to remain relevant.

vincentpaul

Yes, I'm looking forward to seeing him on a bike in street clothes. That would really go far in moving the focus from cycling as a sport, as it is viewed in the US, to a focus on cycling as simple transport.

Creakyknees

"Austin like Portland"

hmmm... well it's already full of smug hipster quasi libs, guess all we need is more rain and some cooler summers.