We'd like to buy 4 basic, maybe good used bikes. And then we need to figure out where to store them at our place because we have no room inside and no covered storage outside. We could store them under our cottage because we have access to some storage space there -- this means they'd be laying on their sides on the sand. Or we could build a bike rack and store them there, but that means that we'd have to get a cover for them (no big deal) and guests would feel bad that they don't have access to them (I'd feel uncomfortable having everyone use them for safety and liability reasons/bike lock reaons, etc.). Do you have any suggestions for which is the best way to store our bikes when we're not there? Would they get damaged by weather by being stored under the cottage or just outside on a bike rack? If they were outside on a bike rack, would they be dangerous (e.g., would they fly away and hit someone's house or go through their windows during a hurricane?)
Any other bike advice? I am not a bike-rider at all, but hope to become one.
thanks.
Replies
47
SoWal Insider
I do not know if many people around there have yard sales but yard sales are good places to find good used bicycles for sale and usually are reasonably priced, at least here anyway! Walmart has some bicycles around 60.00 that I have seen here. You couldn't leave any bicycle sitting out anywhere around here, it would be gone! Hopefully people are more honest and trusting down there.
Beach FanaticAuthor
More thanks for all this good advice! (and the offer to bike with me) I can't wait to check out bike sales in May. I'll check the internet in the meantime for good looking bike covers. Is there a Franks near SoWal?
I didn't even realize I had over 1,000 posts. I need a vacation!
I didn't even realize I had over 1,000 posts. I need a vacation!
Beach Fanatic
Franks is off of 283. Coming from Seaside make a right onto 283. Turn at the second left (Logan Ln.). Franks will be on the left.
Beach Fanatic
Franks phone number is (850) 231-0500.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Franks is off of 283. Coming from Seaside make a right onto 283. Turn at the second left (Logan Ln.). Franks will be on the left.
Thanks, Gypsea. Can't wait to go shopping!
Maybe we should have creatively painted bikes on 30A... just like they had the painted cows in Chicago. It could bring out the artist in all of us.
Darlene is my middle name, not my nickname
Thanks, Gypsea. Can't wait to go shopping!
Maybe we should have creatively painted bikes on 30A... just like they had the painted cows in Chicago. It could bring out the artist in all of us.
You could "paint" them with SoWal.com stickers. :clap_1:
picky
You could "paint" them with SoWal.com stickers. :clap_1:
Excellent idea!! I'm definitely going to pick up stickers for our bikes. SoWal here we come!
Darlene is my middle name, not my nickname
Excellent idea!! I'm definitely going to pick up stickers for our bikes. SoWal here we come!
:clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:
Beach FanaticAuthor
absolutely! We all should have SoWal stickers (or logo -- is that OK with you Kurt?) on our bikes. (and helmets?)
SoWal Expert
absolutely! We all should have SoWal stickers (or logo -- is that OK with you Kurt?) on our bikes. (and helmets?)
Done! Great idea Paula!
Beach FanaticAuthor
Ahhh -- it was kathydwell's idea to use SoWal stickers to decorate our bikes so kudos to kathydwells.
SoWal Expert
Ahhh -- it was kathydwell's idea to use SoWal stickers to decorate our bikes so kudos to kathydwells.
O-tay! Guess I need to slooowwww down and reeeaaaddddd....
fishlips
just FYI, you should print out your info (name, address, etc) and put it down the seat tube in a plastic bag (remove the seat where you adjust the height, drop it in the downtube, then put the seat back on), that way if there's a question about ownership (like the guy who stole it says it's his) its settled by pulling out the seat and then shaking out the plastic bag, then relishing the look on his ugly caught theiving face while the officer reads you name and address from INSIDE the bicycle - positively priceless!
Beach Fanatic
Great idea AB!!!
Skunky
just FYI, you should print out your info (name, address, etc) and put it down the seat tube in a plastic bag (remove the seat where you adjust the height, drop it in the downtube, then put the seat back on), that way if there's a question about ownership (like the guy who stole it says it's his) its settled by pulling out the seat and then shaking out the plastic bag, then relishing the look on his ugly caught theiving face while the officer reads you name and address from INSIDE the bicycle - positively priceless!
SWEET!
Beach Fanatic
Most of my clients use a rental co. like yellowfin or bigdaddy's if they are on some rental themselves,,,,,,ie...vrbo or such. if you are a homeowner who does not rent then I recommend a car cover, one that let's the bike breath but keeps the salt out! with good overall care and washing them down with water will keep them in good shape for a time. Even the cheap one's from Sam's 80 bucks or the wally world ones at 125 or so. biggest problem in my experience is gear's. if you get a geared bike....cables tend to suffer the most......so stick to your basic one spead, foot stopping, no foam handled bike.......(foam goes bad quick and you'll have black hands every time you ride)..........if you can store them inside.....even better!.........
I pull my clients out and make sure they are in good working order, before they arrive in SOWAl!
I pull my clients out and make sure they are in good working order, before they arrive in SOWAl!
Beach FanaticAuthor
Swantree: Great information for the novice bike-buyer! Thank you. Does Sams always have bike in stock? I drive right by there on my way from the airport to the cottage and could pick up a bike on the way. $80 is a great price. Thanks.
By the way, what's your business "getting it done so you don't have to"?
By the way, what's your business "getting it done so you don't have to"?
Beach Fanatic
We like Big Daddy's in Blue Mountain Beach. We rent there and also purchased our beach bikes there at good prices, end-of-the-year sales. They will deliver and pick up and rental prices are reasonable. You could also buy a bike when they have a sale and sell it to Frank at the end of the year. We like bikes that are in good working order, without rust on the chains. A good idea to keep a can of WD-40 handy, under any circumstances. Paula, see my PM for some more info on storage ideas and other thoughts about bikes. Good luck finding a solution. South Walton is a wonderful place to bicycle, those off-road paths are wonderful.
Beach Fanatic
thanks Paula.....check out my PM......to you!
Beach FanaticAuthor
With all the help I'm getting with this bike purchase, you'll see me riding my bike up and down 30A all the time! And you'll all know it was thanks to all your good advice!
Beach Lover
I have been told never to use WD40 on a bike, that although it displaces water and provides some lubricant, it attracts dirt, hence salt and sand in a coastal environment. It is better to use a wax based lubricant such as White Lightning. I would be interested to know if anyone has found anything better to help maintain bikes in SoWal.
Beach Fanatic
A friend once worked at the company that makes WD-40. It is a good solvent but not so good for long-term lubrication. Its main ingredient is kerosene!
The wax-based lubricants are good, but you must start with a chain that has no oil on it (rare find).
Tri-Flow has always worked well for me.
Buy a bike with aluminum-alloy components instead of steel; they cost more but are lighter and less prone to rust and corrosion.
They all will eventually be reclaimed by Mother Nature, just as we all will be.
The wax-based lubricants are good, but you must start with a chain that has no oil on it (rare find).
Tri-Flow has always worked well for me.
Buy a bike with aluminum-alloy components instead of steel; they cost more but are lighter and less prone to rust and corrosion.
They all will eventually be reclaimed by Mother Nature, just as we all will be.
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