Bicycle shop---Small Business Saturday

I remember way back when--let's say 1979--I was 8 years old....

Seems like a long time ago, but my memory seems like yesterday as an adult who still can recall the cool gifts that made an impact on my childhood.

I still remember getting a ten speed---yes a ten speed under the tree form Santa...

I can also remember getting golf clubs as a early teenager.

I also remember getting Atari one year for Christmas as well.

But as I look back and recall what I used the most; it was the bike and the clubs.

In Cincinnati it snowed a ton, cold, bundled up all winter and the Ohio river froze over.

Once spring came around I was on the bike--I was hitting the links--I was outdoors, riding to buddies houses, hitting golf balls into the woods.

I am a huge sports nut; I love it all--but as a parent today of a ten year old I see, hear the electronics demand--new phone, texting, Ipad, Xbox, new videos, Netflix and the list goes on and on and on.

But my child loves the outdoors as well as the games; arcades were huge when I was her age.

I remember my parents dropping me and my co-conspirators off at the arcade with a roll of quarters on a Saturday night.

But one memory that is very vivid is my local bicycle shop--I would ride up there all the time.

Check out the BMX bikes; get a new bag under the seat on my 10-speed. Getting number plate for the bike, getting my Mag wheels--mac 1 and 2....I had no idea they were giving me more than a bike to purchase--they were giving me a fun, energetic, passionate, thriving small business feel with a hint of we care for you; and yes at 10 me and my posse were always going up there.

Today the same feeling is there--5,000 bicycle shops in the US and thousands more world wide and growing and growing and boooooooming right along with the growing cycling sport.

Small Business Saturday will be here in 7 days--I HIGHLY recommend you visit your local bicycle shop like I have way back when  and today....They know their stuff, they know the roads, the trails, the safety of the community. So if Santa is giving a bike this year and it made the list of must haves; your bike shop will come through. You will receive more than a quality bike, you will receive top notch customer service---customer interaction and a excellent customer experience. 

Here is a article that was posted this week about my experience with my local bicycle shop.

http://www.timessentinel.com/news/features/bike-shop-recognized-for-customer-service/article_810b0a29-2423-5151-b16f-0fdf87e620e9.html

So Santa---support small business Saturday; stop by your bike shop.