Used and vintage bicycle shops can be great resources on a number of levels. For the beginner cyclist, they can provide clean, tuned-up alternatives to the treacherous waters of
Craigslistand
ebay. For the DIY tinkerer, they can be a source for older parts and accessories. And for the seasoned collector, they can, on occasion, offer up a gem of a bicycle that one would not normally come across elsewhere. A vintage bike shop is certainly worth a visit, if one exists in your area. In Boston, we are lucky to haveOld Roads- located in the
Cambridge Antiques Market, just a 15 minute bike ride from my home.
Presuming that most of the bicycles offered are found locally, vintage bike shops are in a sense like museums of history: They give you an idea of what kind of bikes were popular in your area over decades past. It amazes me that no matter how many of these bikes are sold (and I've personally played matchmaker in several deals), Boston does not seem to run out of its stock of early full-chaincase
Raleighs. Just imagine how many of these things must have been on the streets in the '30s-70s. The model above is an original early 1930s version.
(Cuppa tea?)
Situated in the dungeon-like basement of the
Antiques Market (formerly a coffin factory!), "Old Roads" is really a joint project between two shops:Menotomy Vintage Bicycles, owned by Vinny,
and Cambridge Used Bicycles, owned by Ed. They began selling bikes out of this space in , and have since become a staple of the vintage bicycle scene in the Boston area.
The full extend of their inventory is impossible to capture, due to the sprawling, cavernous nature of the space - which makes being there in person all the more exciting. There are rows and rows of vintage bicycles - on the floor, on the walls, on the ceiling, everywhere you look really.
Though initially, the focus of the shop was meant to be on antique bicycles, it soon became apparent that the local population was mostly interested in reliable 3-speeds and 10-speeds from the 1960s through the early 1980s, to be used as transportation. And so, increasingly, the inventory began to accommodate this. Now the shop offers a stagerring variety of bicycles, in one of five categories: vintage 3-speeds, vintage roadbikes, early vintage cruisers, antique bikes (pre-WWII), and some used newer bikes from the 1990s onward - including a couple of hand-painted "fixies".
For me, the 3-speeds are the biggest attraction. There are dozens of them, both men's and ladies'. Though
Raleigh and
Schwinn are the names you will see most frequently, more unusual offerings are often found as well.
Phillips, England
Royal Crown, England
Royce Union, Holland. And there are many others. With chaincases and without, English and Dutch, step through and diamond frame, some even with the original dynamo lighting.
And of course the antique offerings never fail to impress. The above is a Butcher's bike, most likely from the 1920s.
I am guessing this butcher was a heavy guy!
There is also a slew of accessories in stock, including chainguards, handlebars, saddles, tires and racks.
Even vintage bottle generators are available, for those who find the modern ones too high tech.
Ephemera and t-shirts, too.
In addition to its physical presence,
Old Roads offers a number of online resources for the Boston area and beyond. They host a message board where visitors can discuss a multitude of topics pertaining to vintage bikes, as well as post for sale/ wanted ads free of charge. They offer a price guide for used and vintage bicycles. And they sell some interesting hard to find parts online. While in the summer, bicycles are sold only locally, during the winter they can be shipped outside the Boston area as well. For those looking for a vintage English 3-speed in clean condition, this can be a good option if your area has a shortage.
Like proprietors of used bookstores, vintage bike shop owners tend to be genuine enthusiasts - which means that the customer can benefit a lot more from interacting with them, than from interacting with someone who just wants to sell their old bike. Interesting stories, helpful advice, and local bicycle lore are just some of these benefits. Out of curiosity: Are there used or vintage bike shops in your area, and do you find them useful?
Scheveningen Beach in Den Haag and a view to the Promenade, the middle foto taken from the pier and the third foto a gezellig view of a terrace on the beach.
I will be doing more tests with this camera soon in other places, with the weather warm—not a fan though if it gets too warm, I will be definitely taking some days to drive down to Belgium in the Walloon area or maybe head east to Germany. I’m tempted to fly down to the south of France as well but since I’m going for a long needed summer relaxation holiday with the Dutchman soon, I’ll reserve this for later.
Angels Landing from the beginning of the West Rim Trail. Scout's Lookout is in the foreground (that flat, sandy area). The trail ascends that small peak on its west side then climbs up the ridge of the second peak.
A full view of the east side of Angels Landing showing the 1200 foot sheer drop to the Virgin River flowing through the valley below.
I followed the West Rim Trail for about an hour when it took a decided turn towards the North. I looked behind me and saw an unmarked trail through the sand leading to a section of slick rock. Venturing off the trail I followed the slick rock to it's end, about half an hour or so. (Photo was taken on my way back, hence the change in lighting.)
There below me was the scene I was seeking. Walter's Wiggles and Angels Landing. I spent several hours just sitting there at the edge, looking down. It was a wonderful spot to have lunch!
By mid-afternoon, the sun had almost disappeared, clouds had moved in and the wind had picked up considerably. Reluctantly, I left my perch on the side of the canyon.
Walter's Wiggles from the first vantage point.
And from the second viewpoint.
The probable household of Jonas Joslin: 
I was cycling across town with a friend today, who suggested that we take the side streets instead of my usual route along the major roads. We were cycling on one of these quiet streets, when a sedan passed us too closely and hit my friend's bicycle with the side of their car.