I do have an announcement, if you scroll down to the end. But first, some important news.
Turin is closing. Denver’s oldest bike shop, and a staple of my first decade living here.
I spent so much time and money in that place. When I moved out of a toxic relationship and walked away from damn near everything I owned, I didn’t have a car. I bought a $50 bike off of Craigslist and that was how I got around. Trips to the grocery store, jaunts across town, and even rides purely for entertainment. I couldn’t afford much else.
They built me a wheel for that $50 bike (for more than $50 of course) and that solidified my love of the place. At the time, fixies were all the rage, but they also catered to those of us that actually used bikes as transportation. The rolled up pants leg crowd was welcome as well.
When I met my wife and we moved in to our art deco appartment, it became part of our life together, too. We had no money, and we rode everywhere together. I bought parts and panniers and helmets there, and they put my wife’s box store bike “Greenie” back together so many times as she wore it out.
I bought the first new bike I owned since I was 12 there. A glossy black Globe with a 7 speed hub. I still own that bike, it sits out in the shed, awaiting the day I rebuild it. It got me to work countless times, and across Missouri on my first bike tour. I’ve had some of my best days on that bike, and made some of my stupidest mistakes on it. It made all the difference in the world to me.
It hurts my heart to be losing this place where so many happy memories are. My wife bought a bike there as well. It was a staple in our young relationship. So much happiness and adventure because of that place.
I think part of it is over the past few years I have lost my love of riding, and I want it back. I’ve got to get it back.
Gentrification is ending Turin, the building will be torn down to make way for a new block of apartments, probably. I wonder if I should go back and visit one last time or just let it live in my memory the way it was, full of laughter and community. A source of never ending fun in my world. I haven’t decided. EDIT: I went back for one last look. After not finding a helmet sized for my freakishly large noggin for years, I bought their last one. The fates letting me know I made the right choice.
The best thing I could wish for you is that one day, you find a bike shop like Turin. A place where you are welcome, and your needs are met. A place free of snobbery and judgement. A place that opens the door to adventure and happiness for you. Really, that’s all you need in life.
Here’s where we decided Turin was our Local Bike Store.
That’s a blast from the past, from the original incarnation of Shoot Film, Ride Steel. Here’s some bike pictures through the years, all happy, all because of Turin.
If you don’t follow me on Twitter, you’ve missed a newsletter announcement, and a screwup I made with it, and a new newsletter announcement. I’ll be doing giveaways, and meetups, and notifications of travel to expand meetups in to other areas. Everyone who signs up for the newsletter qualifies for the giveaways. Here’s the signup, if you’re so inclined:
It’ll be a low traffic list, and I will never sell your data.
Sorry to hear about the bike shop closing. Over the 20 years I’ve been living and riding bikes here in Portland, there have been several “special to me” shops that have shut their doors, like Velo Cult and A Better Cycle. I just heard that Cat Six Cycles, another favorite, is closing as well. Sigh.
I remember when Velo Cult closed. I never visited, but I did order some bars and racks from their website.
Interesting.
Kopp’s Cycle Shop was established in 1891 by E.C. Kopp and is the oldest continually running bicycle shop in America. It’s right here in Princeton and is in no danger of disappearing.
In the 21 years I’ve lived in the area several bicycle shops have opened. I only recently bought a bicycle. It’s electric.
I think it was more the offer of 12 million for the block that closed Turin rather than any mismanagement. The excellent bakery behind it is closing as well.