Ryan McFarland

Skateboards at Zoom

Originally uploaded by zieak

I stopped by the bike shop during lunch the other day and there were 8 skateboards on the ground outside. At least 4 of the kids bought stuff.

Mike and i made plans to attend Interbike next month.  We’ll fly to Las Vegas on the 21st of September and return to Petersburg on the 28th.  I used Hotelsescape to find a room at the Sahara for an average of $52 a night (plus taxes) and we’re using a companion fare ticket to fly down and back.

Interbike is the world’s largest bike expo.  On the 22nd and 23rd we’ll participate in their outdoor expo where we’ll get to test out the latest products from hundreds of manufacturers on road and mountain trails.  From the 24th to 26th we’ll wander the 1,000 plus brands represented with over 20,000 other bike retailers.  Yes, i’m excited.  Oh, and there will be Pai Gow squeezed in there on the 27th I’m sure.  Kevin will probably drive up from LA to hang with us for the weekend too.

ZOOM Bikes has a new sign

Originally uploaded by zieak

Mike had Ace make a sign for the bike shop a few weeks ago. Sunday I put it up.

Hanging skateboard decks on the wall

Originally uploaded by zieak

Cena and I decided that we liked the artwork on these skateboard decks that we had a Zoom. We bought them and then did some research and learned that there is one other design in this style. I hung them by running some fishing line through the holes for the trucks and then tying a loop which is hung over a nail. We have room for the third design if we get it.

I also spent a good bit of time today working on framing art and images that we have had kicking around for a while. We hung a piece that we bought in Bali over the stairs too.

Bike trailer

Originally uploaded by zieak

Yesterday after work we whipped up a few attachments to the trailer that make it a mobile bike rental unit. It can carry 10 bikes. We attached a bin on the back for helmets. Total money spent: $0. I did spend some money on 24 feet of cable to lock the bikes with though.

We’re guaranteed to rent the 8 bikes we bought to one of the cruise ships each time they’re in Petersburg. We just need to park the trailer at the harbor each Wednesday morning and then pick it back up that afternoon. We even paid for the permit to park the trailer in the city lot.

Now I need a trailer hitch on my car (ordered one tonight) and the hitch of the trailer needs to be welded. Oh, and we’re going to build a roof over the bikes too.

Now that’s a bike shop

Originally uploaded by zieak

A pile of repairs, six rental bikes, our retail inventory, and 8 bikes to rent to one of the cruise ships each time they’re in port. We’re full.

Zoom Bikes was burglarized

Originally uploaded by zieak

On my way to work this morning I saw two police cars near the bike shop. I thought “maybe someone broke into Wild Celery” (the gallery around the corner from the bike shop) because there have been some recent burglaries.

Cena broke the bad news to me — that the back window of Zoom had been broken and someone took the cash and checks from the register.

Papa Bear’s Pizza was also broken into. Last week Joan Mei was. We’re a real business now! People want to steal from us!

Here’s a scan of the back of the envelope that Mike and i used to sketch out the logo ideas on Thursday evening for Zoom Bikes.  I wonder just how much business is conducted on the back of envelopes and on paper napkins in bars and restaurants.

Earl protecting his noggin

Originally uploaded by zieak

Earl is modeling one of the skate helmets we have at Zoom. I’m sure if you don’t know Earl that you’re impressed by his beard. Good. Earl is planning on entering the World Beard and Mustache Championships next spring. It will be in Anchorage. I’m thinking i’d like to go too. It will coincide with the Iditarod.