Tomatoes!

Well, the "normal" sized tomatoes don't seem to be doing a lot in our containers out front, but the cherry tomato plants are producing well.  Take a look at them hanging on the plants, and then after harvesting this morning.  And they are tasty too!

If you come on by the shop and see some ripe ones, and you're a bit peckish, feel free to help yourself!

And while you're here, take a test ride or two!

Basic Maintenance and Repair Class in August!

Mark your calendars! Our next Basic Repair and Maintenance class is going to be held on Sunday, August 7th, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. The class covers how to fix a flat tire, as well as how to perform basic brake and gear adjustments. The fee is $45, and includes a small toolkit that normally sells for $22. You'll easily save more than the cost of the class in the first brake and gear tuneup you do yourself!

We ask that folks sign up in advance. You can call or email us at tim@bikesatvienna.com. In order to lock in your place, we ask that you pay in advance, which you can do either in person or with a credit card over the phone. Sign up now!

Delicious too!

On top of the visual treat provided by our container garden, tonight I enjoyed a delicious Cherokee Purple tomato with dinner!  Wonderful!

"Garden" Update

In case you haven't been buy the shop in a while, I wanted to let folks know the container garden out front is flourishing!

Some of you may remember the post from April:

Carrying on another tradition

Well, the flowers and decorative grasses are doing amazingly well, providing a wonderful splash of color in front of the shop.

And the tomato crop, while modest, is coming along. So far only two large tomatoes harvested, but the cherry tomatoes are popping out all around. Tiny but tasty!


Come on by and check it out when you get a chance.

More Brompton Colors in Stock!

We just got in some more Bromptons, and I think folks will like the array of colors, including a few really sharp looking two-tone combinations, such as a claret main frame with cobalt blue extremities, as well as a racing green main frame with sage green extremities.  Very pretty!

Right now we have mostly 6 speed bikes, along with one 2 speed. A couple with the S-type flat bar, one with the multiposition P-type bar, and the rest with the traditional M-type bar.

The Hase Pino is Here!

We've had a number of calls this past spring asking about the Hase Pino tandem. It's a remarkable design in that the "captain" sits in back, on a conventional bike seat, while the "stoker" sits in front in a recumbent position. If you look at the picture, you can see that both riders get a good view ahead, instead of one rider staring at the other person's back. Also, communication between the two riders is easier than on a conventional tandem. It's a fun bike to ride. Come on in and give it a try!

Dahon Model Availability

A number of folks have come in or called, asking about the Dahon Ios models. The bike was introduced at Interbike (the big industry trade show) back in September, and received a very good review in Bicycle Times magazine a few months ago. So we have been waiting patiently for news of their arrival in the US, and periodically pestering our friends at Dahon USA. Up til now, the only news was "not yet, and we're not sure when".



Well, now we have more news... unfortunately, not good news. We've just been informed by Dahon USA that the Ios models will not be available in the US market in 2011 at all. The same is also true of the new Vector series, the Dash, and the Boost... none of those are expected in the US this year.


The good news is we continue to have a steady supply of the "bread and butter" models... in 20" wheels, the Eco C6, Speed D7, Mariner D7, Speed P8 (shown above), among others, as well as the Espresso and Jack 26" wheel models.

No Repair Class in July

Due to lack of enrollment, the Basic Maintenance and Repair class for July will not be held this weekend. The next regularly scheduled class will be Sunday, August 7th, at 7:00pm.  Watch this space for updates.

A nice visit from John, Ces, and Java

John Brunow, former owner of bikes@vienna, was in town this past Monday, and a bunch of us went to Sunflower, his favorite local restaurant, for lunch.  A great time was had by all.

From left: John Brunow, Luann F, Keith O, Kerie H, Bruce W., Susan S, Ces B, Sarah B, Tim F, Reed H, Beryl B.

Aside from lunch, John and I spent most of the day clearing a few more things out of the shop that he'd planned to take earlier but couldn't. There's one rather obvious item now no longer here, but I'm curious to see how many people actually notice that it's gone. Perhaps I should make a game out of it?

Anyway, it was great to see John and Ces and Java. I'm very happy for them that they are really enjoying their new home, and I'm very excited to have the opportunity to continue on with the shop. But I have to admit, they are all missed. Guess I'm going to make a trip to Iowa soon!

For those who didn't catch the earlier post... John is opening a new shop, All Ability Cycles, Jefferson, Iowa. Right now he's preparing bikes and trikes for the 4th of July parade! Sounds like John, huh?

A happy Fourth of July to everyone!

More pics from John's visit are here:  John Brunow's Visit, June 27, 2011