Until July 15th, you can nominate Roundabout Bicycles for The Coast's Best of Halifax Readers' Choice Awards. Simply go to https://bestofhalifax.com/#/gallery?group=288229 and enter "Roundabout Bicycles" in the Best Bike Store category, and while you're there, support all your other favourite businesses and individuals in the city. Why should you nominate Roundabout Bicycles? Well, besides giving a thumbs-up to your experience at my shop, you'll also be giving your thumbs-up to my commitment for Roundabout's to be a service shop that's truly oriented to promote and support bicycle riding for all members of the community, not only those who are already experienced and seasoned cyclists. Some of the ways I spread the love for bikes... Volunteering at cycling events. Over the years, I've participated in fantastic events put on by local organizations including Dal Bike Centre, Halifax Cycling Coalition, Welcoming Wheels, and more. This year kicked off with staffing the bike valet at this year's Bluenose Marathon. Providing learning opportunities. This summer, I'm meeting weekly with Jacqueline, student mechanic at the Dal Bike Centre, to provide her with training in advanced mechanical topics. Back at my shop, friendly information is still always cost-free and jargon-free, whether you have a specific question or don't know where to start! Earlier in May, Madeline came by for some tips and hands-on demonstration for packing and unpacking her bicycle. It must have helped, as she's since flown with her bike across the country, and is now well into her 6,000 km ride back to Halifax while raising funds for YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka in support of their programs that foster healthy lifestyles. You can follow her journey on Instagram and donate to her cause here. Supporting other independent bike businesses by networking and sharing knowledge with other small operators across the country. Most recently, I got to know Walter Wilson of Grand Manan Island, NB, who celebrated the opening of "Beach Bicycle Works" this month—30 years after his first stint running a combination bicycle shop/craft store with his wife Sheila, called "The Mainstay", in the 1980s. It's been enlightening to compare notes and trade strategies with him, while seeing how sales and distribution in the bicycle industry has changed over the years. If you're ever in Grand Manan, please pay Walter and Sheila a visit, and tell them I sent you!
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