On behalf of everyone here at Bike Gallery, I’d like to take a moment to say thank you to all of our customers. Bike Gallery certainly has lots to be thankful for this year:

Thank you for your business.
After a busy sale weekend we’re a little tired, but at the same time we are energized by helping customers find great new bikes and helping you gear up and stock up for the season. During our Spring Sale, I helped out on the sales floor and I really enjoyed meeting customers, talking cycling, and helping people find what they needed. Working in the bike biz wouldn’t be so much fun if we didn’t get to share our passion for cycling with our wonderful customers.

Thank you for helping us receive another honor.
The League of American Bicyclists just announced the recipients of the 2008 Shop of the Year award, and named Bike Gallery as “the Best in the West.” They did a nationwide survey among their members – all cycling enthusiasts and bike shop customers like you – to name their favorite bike shop and tell why. The shops with the most mentions in each of six regions won.

Here is what Andy Clarke, President of the League, had to say about Bike Gallery winning the award:

“The League is delighted to recognize Bike Gallery as a 2008 Shop of the Year for their efforts to promote cycling in their community. In addition to their outstanding customer service, Bike Gallery is involved in advocacy, education and encouragement activities that have an impact well beyond their shop’s walls.”

(shameless plug: I’d like to encourage you to consider supporting the LAB and the work they do on behalf of all cyclist. For more information visit www.bikeleague.org)

Thank you for riding your bike.
Have you noticed how many more bikes are out and about these days? Did you notice that more people are choosing to “go by bike”: bikes for transportation, bikes for fitness, bikes for family outings, bikes for fetching groceries, and more? Did you notice more and more people riding on rainy winter days? And then spring breaks loose like it did this past weekend and WOW, all I see is even more bikes everywhere.

I enjoy nothing more than seeing the variety and volume of bikes that are now being propelled around the city. If you are new to the Portland area or new to cycling, you should know, it hasn’t always been this way. New or native Oregonian, veteran or beginning cyclist, you are part of this region’s remarkable transformation.  I can’t wait to see where we go from here.

Thank you, thank you, and thank you again…

Happy cycling!