COVID-19 and Record Bicycle Sales

Bike shops have been designated as essential businesses by federal, state, and local governments.

With the closure of gyms and fitness clubs, how does a person stay fit and active during a pandemic?

The great answer is bicycles!

I checked Walmart, Target, and Dick's sporting goods here in Denver. They have sold out most of their inventory.

I went to do a curbside pickup at Bike Source for a new saddle and a speedometer last Saturday. The parking lot was full of people testing new bicycles. I mentioned the parking lot full of people test riding bicycles to the person that handed me the parts, through my mask of course.

I said, "You must be selling a lot of bicycles".

She said, "Yes, it is crazy! We are selling more bicycles in a day than we used to sell in a week."

Bikes under $500 are gone. Bikes under $1,000 had only small and extra-large available.

Here is a great Specialized Crossroads hybrid bike that was assembled by a certified bike mechanic and comes wif a great warranty. This bike has sealed bearings and high-quality components.

Smooth and comfortable, at $450 this bike is a steal!



The Crossroads bike comes in various sizes, colors and is sold-out locally.

People that already had dusty bikes sitting in the corner of the garage are taking their bikes into bike shops for tuneups. I brought one of my bikes into Bike Source for warranty work last week. I talked to the Bike Source rep. They still had not started working on my bike. They are doing the best they can with the "new normal"! I am just happy that they will get to as soon as they can!

With my superb Roubaix Comp in the shop, I dusted off my older road bike and so I could still ride.

I had my Specialized Allez clamped in a fluid trainer for winter indoor fitness. I took the Allez off the trainer, tuned it up, and am now riding the pretty blue bike on the labyrinth of concrete bike paths in the Denver Metro Area.



This is my 2016 Allez E5 Sport that has 5,692 miles on it. I have replaced the chain once and tires twice. The bike is pretty and shimmers in the sunlight. In other words, it is a good bike.

I wonder how many of the bikes sold during this pandemic are going to be gathering dust after this health crisis is mercifully over?

I can't wear a mask while I am riding. At 16 to 18 mph at 6,000' elevation, I am breathing so hard I would suck the mask into my lungs. What I can do is ride tight-rope 1" from the edge of an 8-foot wide trail to keep an appropriate social distance from my fellow cyclists.