103 Years of Harley’s Bicycles
I went for a ride around the new town, but I couldn’t get my left shoe out of the pedals. Dangit! I dropped a screw out of my cleat, and the cleat is turning in the shoe instead of in the pedal so it can release.
In most cases I would at least have to buy a set of cleats to get the hardware… but this story goes a little deeper. And in case you’re reading this and like “What the heck is he talking about?” – let me explain a bit.
When you ride a bicycle, you can choose whether you want to ride with regular shoes on a flat pedal, or use what they call “Clipless” pedals where you click in with a cleat and lock your feet to the pedals. In the old days, they used to have cages your foot would fit into with straps that would lock you in. They called those “Clips” in the old days and since the new way to lock in your feet doesn’t require the cage (clips), they are now called clipless (which is a horrible name for something you clip into). I needed the little bolt that holds the cleat to the shoe.
I went to Harley’s Bicycles to buy a set of cleats. I ran into a gregarious young man, that was full of positive energy. When I told him what I was looking to buy and the situation, he said “Hang on a minute”. About a minute later, he came out with a bolt from the back of the shop. When I asked what I could give him for it… he said it was on the house. Then cam the salesmanship.
Devin, the young man, went on pridefully telling me about his family and how they came to own the bike shop about a year ago. His stepmom was busy, but he pointed her out and shared that his father worked at Hutch Rec – a place I haven’t visited yet. Devin gave me the history of the shop, telling me of its 103 years of service to the community.
Devin described the old ownership, the shop’s role in the community and how his family wanted to continue that role. I met both of the mascots for the shop. While I forget the smaller dogs name, Bear is the one that imprinted on me. Bear came right up and sat with me while I chatted up Devin and strolled with me around the shop as I checked out some of the inventory on hand.
A lot of the inventory in stock reflects the buying characteristic of the surrounding area and there is a great selection of accessories on hand. Devin and his family also have experience with more premium products – much of it special orders. Devin also shared that the area had a NICA mountain bike team for youth which was great news for my son. Devin is involved with the team.
Then I heard something that still is hard for me to imagine. The sales area for Harley’s Bicycles stretches all the way across the state and into Colorado, as it turns out the west side of the state doesn’t have an active bike shop. So from Wichita – West… Harley’s is the game in town.
Based on my visit there… we are lucky to have them.
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