News

My neighborhood K-8 school (Lake Harriet Community School) here in Minneapolis added bike racks over the summer. I was blown away the other morning when I rode my daughter into school and saw over a hundred bikes in the racks. The school is already due more bike racks. Wow.

I shouldn't be so surprised as one of the teachers in the school is Mr. Carlson and he has been doing a fall and spring bike club for several years. How cool is that? Way to go Lake Harriet (and Mr Carlson).

Inspiring High School kids to do things is a real challenge. Add to that that what you want them to do is create and express. Good luck with that, eh? Well, an art teacher at Southwest High School here in Minneapolis is succeeding. Ms. Leierwood motivates her students to create art in ways that connect with them. Artbikes is one of her units. Drawings with sports related themes are another unit. She even gets the kids out riding the Artbikes in a local favorite parade called The May Day Parade (put on by The Heart of the Beast Theater). I believe that extra credit is awarded for the kids brave enough to ride in the parade.

Tonite at the shop Ms. Leierwood will be showcasing some of her students work in a gallery exhibition from 7:00 - 9:00. There will be a variety of Artbikes available to check out as well as drawings created in class at Southwest High. Word on the street is that Bill Eggert of Evolutionary Transport will be joining in the fun.

Here are some pictures from The May Day Parade as well as a Bike Expo earlier this spring:

Retail space is expensive, so Perennial Cycle has worked super hard from day one to make the most of our space. My Dad would have said that we are capable of squeezing blood out of a turnip (this would have been a compliment ; )

In our original basement rental/retail space we had the rafters stuffed with an elaborate helmet storage system. People walked down into that shop and laughed because they had seen ads in Recumbent Cyclist News where we touted ourselves as a Recumbent Super Store (which we were in great part to stuffing the corners and rafters as well as friend's basements with merchandise). 10-1/2 years ago we moved into a 1000 square feet with a full basement. It felt huge, but midway through the second year we were having to do a lot to maximize our space and eventually got a warehouse space to let some pressure off the retail space.

Yesterday we grew by over double our current space and nabbed a doorway directly into the coffee shop on the corner! 2010 is starting out BIG at Perennial Cycle and this is hugely exciting. We're sad to see the flower shop move out (Luna Vinca had been in that space for 10 years), but it has created a great opportunity for Perennial Cycle.

**Addendum added to this Shopcast Post | 1-13-2017**
April 1, 2016 we ended being Calhoun Cycle (as the images above show us as being). We are now Perennial Cycle. You can read about our name change HERE

It's no secret around here that Velo Vision Magazine pays attention to what's happening in the cycling world and to see the latest issue's (#36) cover is sweet. The Cover picture sells a story by Richard Peace in which he critiques 3 cargo bikes after having tested all three rather extensively.

There's a whole lot of fun in Velo Vision #36. We're pretty partial to the Richard's review of three cargo bikes that he tested. The cargo bikes he rode were the Larry vs. Harry Bullitt, Madsen kg271 and a Yuba Mundo.

Here are a few Headlines of Velo Vision #36

Workbikes special!

Richard Peace puts three two-wheel load-carriers through real-world tests. Under the spotlight are the Bullitt Clockwork, the Madsen kg271 and the Yuba Mundo, the last with an Ezee electric assist system.

Dropping in on dealers: another three reports from specialist dealers across the country: London Recumbents, Futurecycles, Bikes and Trailers. What you'll find if you visit yourself...
Review: Villiers custom frame. It's here at last - a lovely test bed bike frame built by Paul Villiers to our own Velo Vision design. We look back on the custom ordering process, and the end result.
Review: Catrike Dash. This medium-sized recumbent trike for teens or for the shorter rider is put through its paces by riders who appreciate its proportions...
Review: FreeParable T1 Trailer. An impressive new bike trailer from Taiwan which transforms into a smart, baggage-handler-proof suitcase.
Short reviews: Books, chains, trousers, bells, puncture fluid...
Reader bikes: Streetmachine recumbent, doing up a DIY trike...
Report: London show: A brief reports on new products at Cycle 2009.
Feature: Touring with dogs: How lack of pet-sitters led a couple to tour with two dogs on board - and how they cope.
Regular features: News, Letters, and the best specialist advertising!