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Post by azdrawdy on Dec 9, 2005 17:29:31 GMT -5
:oWell, not quite, but if you want a smoking deal on a Giant mountain bike, Andy Jordan's Bike shop is the place to go. Hundreds and maybe even up to a grand off!
The better half and I stopped by AJ's Monday to look at some clothing, and I noticed that there were not very many "real" mountain bikes on the floor. I spoke with Andy for a few minutes and he made it plain that mountain biking in the CSRA was dead, and he was getting out of the mountain biking business.
Soooooo...With that said, get'em while they're hot! They aren't needed in the CSRA and AJ won't be carrying them much longer.
Michael
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Post by seenvic on Dec 10, 2005 8:59:20 GMT -5
AJ has said this to me at times before as well, and I just shrugged it off as frustration of some sort. I have read that road bikes are making up a large part of national bike sales these days. The Lance effect, I suppose. But I would think this is cyclical and will swing back to the dirt over time.
AJBW has been one of SORBA-CSRA strongest local supporters (if not the strongest) - donating $400 in cash several years ago. I think AJ is the cycling communty's strongest advocate among the shop owners. But, I have wondered why the AJBW hasn't helped SORBA with the FATS in terms of volunteerism from the owners/staff or their MTB customers. Perhaps now I know why. I've wondered this about all the shops, actually.
We'd be better off with the shops more involved in SORBA-CSRA, but we can't bring them to the meetings, rides and workdays. It is something they must do and I would think it would be a good place to meet and get to know the people that do ride MTB's locally.
But saying "MTB'g is dead in the CSRA" is ridiculous. Local SORBA membership is over 150, bigger than I ever expected it to be and bigger than I recall the old Augusta Freewheelers (AF may have been bigger at one time, but not when I was in it). Since 1998, BCSP, HKSP, ORA, Bartram and now FATS have been added to the mix. This is over 50 miles of new singletrack targeting various levels of riding. If you know of a place in the country that has built more trails and more miles in that time....name it.
In addition, 60 people have volunteered 629 hours over some 23 volunteer days since Aug 11 of this year on FATS alone. The Explore the Trails Rides continue to attract 20, 30 and sometimes 40 riders. All these gatherings of riders, large and small would seem like a bike shop owners dream.....but our bike shop owners ignore all these opportunities to ride/work with the locals.....then complain out loud in their shops to customers that MTB'g is dead in the CSRA.
If MTB'g is dead in the CSRA, the riders don't know it. The land managers don't know it. If it is dead in terms of sales.....come meet the people that would be your customers. But all that said....AJ has been in this business about as long as I have been alive and I admire him for that. He and the other shops don't need my advice.
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Post by chileanrastabilly on Dec 12, 2005 16:01:12 GMT -5
Looks pretty clear to me- Find a shop that caters to mountain bikers, OUT OF TOWN! I'll gladly take my purchases out of the CSRA where I'll feel appreciated.
I kinda felt that things were headed in this direction ever since the Tuesday mtn bike rides at AJBW turned into road rides. Michael and Bill, you just confirmed it for me. Thank you. Not bashing road riders, just stating the obvious. Now, if I could only open up a bike shop......? ;D
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Post by seenvic on Dec 13, 2005 16:41:08 GMT -5
My intention was not to drive business out of town! I think we'd be better off having a united mtb'g community that includes the riders, the land managers and the shops.
2 of the 3 are firmly on board at this point. At least from my point of view and experience.
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Post by DK on Dec 26, 2005 22:48:11 GMT -5
Hey Bill,
Why not take SORBA to the shops, instead of trying to get them to come to you? Maybe talk to them about hosting a monthly meeting, or putting on a small riding seminar at their shop. This does a couple of things, gets SORBA and the shop owners together, and also drives people in their front door.
I imagine what the shops are considering "dead" is probably sales of MTB related goods, not the sport in general. Just promoting a local shop and suggesting it to people may not be enough. I think you have to get them to involve "the shop" in SORBA activities, not just get the "shop people" involved with SORBA if that makes any sense. No matter who it is, if it involves business, it will ultimately come down to " how can SORBA help me become a more profitable shop". The answer is to get people to come through their front door. That means showing them warm bodies, not just numbers on a piece of paper.
Doug
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Post by seenvic on Dec 27, 2005 15:14:51 GMT -5
SORBA's job is to gain access to trails and to maintain the trails we have access to already. SORBA is a volunteer organization.
A bike's shop job is to provide customer service to the public in a manner in which the public wishes to spend money with a shop. A bike shop is a for-profit organization.
A by product of SORBA's activities is a well organized and easily accessible group of riders/potential customers of a bike shop. SORBA gathers the riders/customers at meetings, rides, workdays and races. From there, it is up to the shops to figure out to make the gathering of riders (customers) work for their business. I go to alot of these meetings, rides etc....and rarily see any participation from the shops.
Finally, it is not SORBA's responsibility to take members to any particular business.
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tryin
Gear Masher
Posts: 24
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Post by tryin on Dec 30, 2005 18:12:59 GMT -5
I bought one of those Giant's that was part of the great deal. A Trance 2 and it is a great bike. Bang for the Buck is what that is called.
I have been to most of the meetings that SORBA -CSRA has had for the last couple of years. Had a good time and have met a lot of good people. One thing that perhaps we could have( and have a bike shop volunteer to sponsor it) is a trainer to show us exercises or a dietitian( I love the step-daddy with beef---okay and a beer).
It is winter and there is no riding before the meetings. This would be a good time for either.
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Post by Angela on Jan 1, 2006 2:23:27 GMT -5
Actually one of the sport medicine doctors locally talked to one of our members about coming to talk to us about preventing injuries, recovering after injuries, proper hydration, etc. Just a matter of getting it set up at a time convenient for all! : ) And hey if you limit yourself to one beer per hour of riding you probably won't have any weight gain over the winter  |
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