Imagine buying your next bike in your local supermarket. In the UK the local bike shops are facing stiff competition from the supermarkets but the bigger threat is from online sellers. In the US many bikers buy from their LBS but online may become more likely. The article from BikeBiz:

Cycle stores say online is a ‘greater threat than supermarkets’

BikeBiz cycle dealer research underlines rocketing importance of the internet for the bicycle retail sector

The BikeBiz Retail Survey 2009 has revealed that cycle retailers nationwide fear the growth of online retail far more than any other type of direct competition. In fact, the increased rivalry from supermarkets selling bikes troubled just 6.3 per cent of cycle retailers, a figure dwarfed by the 27.8 per cent concerned that online retail competition is a threat to their business. …

Ride mountain bike Terry Hershey Park in Houston
from www.youtube.com
07:58

Awaiting the 2010 Race Calendar « mellow velo
by KFuller
My first racing season has always been “months” away. Many months. Enough nice, long monthy-months to instill confidence in me that there’s plenty of time to prepare. The summer was so hot and so endless, the days of late sunlight seemed permanent. And then I looked at a calendar: Sixty-four days. That’s how long I have. …

Austin Bike Culture Calendar Events: 12/3- 12/9/09 | Austin On Two …
by elliott
The first Friday of the month means Fabulous Fixed First Friday alleycat races. Bring $5, a bag and a fixed gear bike to race. Come and cheer even if you don’t plan to race so you can start your weekend right. 0912fabfriday …. 5:30 PM, Austin/Del Valle Motorcross Park, 15400 Pearce Ln, Del Valle, TX Austin’s weekly cyclocross series returns for its fourth season at the the fully illuminated motocross course and surrounding fields at Austin/Del Valle Motorcross Park …

The Most Important Post I’ve Ever Written « Gestalt Mind
by rao
I will be signing up to participate in the LiveStrong Challenge 90-mile bike ride in Austin, Texas taking place next October. I am going to sticky this link to this site and, once I have it, I will add a link to my LiveStrong Challenge …

DFW Point-to-Point: Commute Year
by Steve A
It’s early December and, between the weather, “use it or lose it vacation” time, and the year end holiday, 2009 is mostly done in terms of bike commuting. Rather than waiting for the very end of the month, I thought I’d do my “year in review” now. There were several milestones, including a new commute bike, a work location change, launch of this blog, a few fairly prosaic events, and the obligatory mileage milestone.

Help make the Nueces Bike Blv. a reality
By Jason Whaley
The Nueces Bike Boulevard has been a no-brainer for bicycle enthusiasts, downtown boosters and area planners for quite some time. You take a flat street with relatively low auto traffic and scores of existing bike riders looking to get from the UT area to downtown and simply make it a bike-priority street that discourages through auto traffic. Add quicker travel for bicyclists by removing many of the stop signs, some identity with signage and public art, and things get even more exciting. …

Water Proof Cycle Clothing
by funetical
Location: Houston, Texas, USA. Posts: 16. Unfortunately, waterproof means that sweat can’t get out either. Water-resistant and breathable seems to be about the best compromise available, unless you want to spring for a velomobile. …