May 27th, 2011

8am to 4pm

University of Guelph Arboretum

Ever wonder what it takes to make a community Bicycle and Walk-Friendly? Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph in motion, The Share the Road Cycling Coalition, The City of Guelph, The University of Guelph, The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario and the Guelph Bicycle Stores need you!

We have a shared vision to: Make Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Bicycle and Walk –Friendly and we would like you to join us.

You are invited to the 2011 Active Communities Summit to:

• Be inspired by examples from  other Bicycle and Walk-Friendly Communities
• Provide input on how to improve Active Transportation in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph
• Network with community partners and decision makers working on enhancing Active Transportation in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph

  Highlights of the Summit:

• Keynote Speaker:  Mayor Dave Cieselwicz from Madison, Wisconsin. Madison is ranked nationally as a Gold Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Mayor Cieslewicz will share their progress to date – a well as their future plans
• A Bicycle Friendly Guelph:  Guelph’s plans for increasing active transportation
• The Tale of Two Cities: panel presentation on Active Transportation in Ontario
• Eleanor McMahon, CEO of the Share the Road Cycling Coalition (an Ontario-based cycling advocacy organization) will provide us with an overview on cycling in Ontario
• Researchers from the University of Waterloo will present data on a trip planning initative in that community
• Break-Out Sessions on the 5 Es of a Bicycle Friendly Community: Engineering, Encouragement & Education, Evaluation and Enforcement. 

 Register On-line at: www.sharetheroad.ca

  (editor’s note – special thanks to the Active Communities Group who provided us with this material)

It’s a funny thing…. I’m in our warm store daily, workin’ away, helping my fellow cyclists, and non-cyclists solve their problems. I’m finding gifts for “My brother, who has everything”. There’s the empty nester, who just wants a bike to ride to the store now and then. I’m engaged by the commuter who, while on the way to work…oh no!!! Has a flat!! In the next minute, I’m sharpening skates so the next “Sid” can be his, or her best in the tournament this weekend…… And it’s December.

 Aren’t we in your local, loyal, always there for you, bike store supposed to be fully in Hibernation mode??  I dare to challenge that!!!  The “OFF” season here at Braun’s, is just as, if not more, exciting than the hustle-bustle of May, and June. The variety of people, needs, and issues that come through the door this time of year, never cease to amaze me. It truly is the “off” season…. Think about it…

We’re fixing, getting those studded tires, and fenders on the bikes for the all season commuter. Selling Holiday bicycles, so the little ones can find their first bike under the Christmas tree. Aiding in the set up of the “ultimate” home training and conditioning center. Sharpening, customizing, and repairing skates. Getting the roof rack, and cargo box, for the car set up for Ski season. Helping the summer Triathelete find next year’s “winning ride“, assisting the next Lance find his ultimate, podium worthy ride ….and in the next encounter, I’m setting a family up for, what is promising to be a great Snowshoe year…

All this time, I’m spending every “non customer” moment spread sheeting, emailing, reporting, and ordering my way towards spring’s influx of new stuff. Planning what bikes, shorts, computers, and lights to buy, so that your cycling experience next April, can be the absolute best we can provide.  WOW!!!  Now that’s variety!!  It’s tiring, mentally taxing, and extremely challenging to keep up with!!…..and, I wouldn’t change it one little bit….

Welcome Winter!! Please bring your “Off Season” issues to us!  

We’re ready, and raring to go!  

I can rest in the summer right?

G -

When I agreed with Robert to do this blog, I thought “Oh Cool! A blog just for ME to tell the world.”  Tell the world all about all the great things that happen here at Braun’s. All the cool bikes, techie gadgets, super neat parts, and our awesome repairs… Then Spring broke. I really haven’t had 5 minutes to sit and think about what to write, let alone anything anyone would want to read. We’re busy as all get out, which is fantastic, but I have been getting “pressure” to contribute to the Blog. So here I am…. Finally getting done what I had said I would do a month ago (and on my day off no less). When I thought about what it was I really wish more of the public knew about us here at Braun’s, it wasn’t the bikes, parts, or gadgets. I mean they are great, and we do an amazing job of it, but there is much, much more to it.

It’s really about history and people. I thought about all the great people I’ve met over the years , how happy they are with the bikes we have helped them find, and how many of them have become quite good friends. I think of the great relationships that have resulted from people meeting here, I think at last count there were 6 marriages that resulted from in store meetings. I’ve really lost count of how many “first bikes” we have provided to little one’s in this area. We have even helped find a “last bike” for burial with a  very dedicated cyclist who passed on. Pretty special moments.  These great things happen every single day in this 85 year old business. We here on the “inside” watch them happen, we help them take place, and it does so often, we often forget how special they really are. We take it for granted sometimes, and we shouldn’t. These things are rare, very rare. We are just very fortunate to come to a place every day, that has so much rich history, and customers that span generations.

I helped a great woman just this past Monday who told me that her Grandfather had bought her very first bicycle from Braun’s in Kitchener when she was 5yrs old. She was now 70, and purchasing a cute little pink 12″ bike for her Granddaughter. I almost cried! Since she was 5 years old, 65 years ago, every single bike for her 4 children, and their extended family, had come from Braun’s. It was a $120 purchase and it made my year. 

So what’s next. More of the same gratifying experiences I hope. I can’t imagine they won’t continue, and I’ll cherish every single moment. History in business can be a double edged sword. It can hold a company back by being lost in the past, but it can also be a valuable asset if appreciated, cultured, and honored at every opportunity. I have to say that the Braun family is doing a fine job of respecting their storied past, all the while planning for and keeping a keen eye on the future.

There are big things ahead for us…. And I for one can’t wait to be a part of the history we are going to make. Won’t you join us?

Until next time…..

-Glenn

Seeing as it’s Winter in most of the country, and we are primarily a bicycle store, I thinks it’s fitting that we talk about Snow and your Bike.  It’s not a terrible thing to get snow on your bike….It’s just solid water. We get our bikes wet all the time in summer. So if you’re one of the hearty folk who continue to trail ride all winter…have at it. Lube your ride up, wipe it down periodically, and have a wail of a time. You commuters however,  are a completely different story.

Commuting in the winter is a bike destroying, part wearing, nasty for all parts mess. Hate to burst your bubble, but it’s true. There is nothing good about road salt for the cyclist or the bike. It gets in everything, destroy’s parts prematurely, ruins clothing, and tastes awful.

So what can you do to make it more bearable? Walk?….Drive?….Take the bus?….none of those options are open to the winter commuter. So here is my quick checklist for the winter hearty bicycle commuter.

Ride a piece of crap junk, or pay the price. If you ride your good bike, I guarantee you will be buying a new drivetrain in the spring…maybe more. Disc brakes, electronics, most fabrics and winter do not play well in the same sandbox.