New Tees For May

It's new tee shirt time on the FreeBird Velo Shop! Got something for everyone this time. Up here, on top, we have Fausto Coppi looking resplendent in Giro pink. 'Grazi Fausto.' Doesn't seem like you could ever thank him enough for what he's done in cycling. All the dreams he's sparked, the courage he's created, and maybe inspiring us when choosing what color and/or brand bike we ride. Uuuhh-celeste-ah. Say it like a sneeze, it sounds better. 

 What's worse, walking or paperboy'ing up a steep hill. Well, always opt for staying in the saddle, at least when it's safe, sometimes it's too narrow and there's too many obstacles, namely people. I've never seen a pro paperboy but they don't really televise everything do they. You don't know what they're doing those first 80 km.

Saving the best for last, little Tommy tongue wagger, the French Housewives Favorite. He has the most panache in the peloton, he's fun to watch, and he rides his bike the way it's supposed to be ridden. Love him. 

World's Smallest Bike Shop

I was supposed to write this post last week but I got a little sidetracked. Got to love that ADD. I have been wanting to visit the World's Smallest Bike Shop for probably a year. My husband had stopped by  awhile ago and came home with tales of the tiny shop and its welcoming owner. I was intrigued and have wanted to see this little treasure ever since. Well, last weekend I got my wish and was not disappointed.

I liked the fact he had a Kapelmuur Independent 

sticker on his door. Right above his head.

This is Dale, owner of The Velo bike shop in Claremont California. His shop sits right off Foothill Boulevard, and it is truly tiny, as you can see in the photo. I'm bad with facts, but I think it was about 5x11 feet. Definitely not big enough to work on bikes but big enough to hold some beautiful frames. This Gios (below photo) caught my eye, I still lay awake at night and think about it.

Drive by Wednesday through Saturday and you'll see Dale and his son out front working on vintage Schwinns, Peugeots (love at first sight), Raleighs, and even some mountain bikes. A lot of the bikes he works on are transformed into reliable student commuters. He has a big student-customer base due to the fact that he is right in the middle of the Claremont Colleges. Note: no fixies. He's also very generous, if you read this Dale, thank you again for the tees and stickers, yours are on the way. So if you're ever in the area make sure and stop by, you'll drool, reminisce, and have a great time talking bike.

Did I mention how much I love these Peugeots?

Made in France and check out those shifters. Hell yeah!

The Velo

242-B Foothill Blvd, Claremont CA 91711

Wed-Sat 11-6