Region taking bikes for a spin
Cycling is thriving and local bike shops are being overwhelmed.
The spread of coronavirus has stopped many Orlando area businesses in their tracks.
Leaving the house has become a perilous adventure, while getting in a workout requires a vivid imagination and ample motivation.
Yet amid a worldwide pandemic, cycling continues to roll along in Central Florida as a safe outdoor activity and readily available form of exercise.
Area bike shops have struggled to keep up with the surging interest.
“We’re overwhelmed,” said Deena Breed, owner of Orange Cycle in College Park.
The demand for repairs has been ridiculous. Some reawakened riders now face three- or four-week waits, having dug out and dusted off a dilapidated 10-speed or found their neglected mountain bike with a rusted chain and tires suffering dry rot.
“You should see the condition … some haven’t [been] ridden in five or 10 years,” Breed quipped. “We usually are busy, but repairs just skyrocketed.”
Purchases surprisingly have spiked as well.
“You
obviously wonder what
this
is going to do to people’s everyday spending habits, but fortunately for us we’ve been OK,” said Joey Gilman, general manager of Winter Park Cycles. “A lot of people’s gyms are closed, and between a lot of people working at home or even just being out of work they got to have something to do.
“They’re kind of turning to the bike right now.”
But an ordinance announced Wednesday will close all nonessential businesses in Orange and Osceola counties by 11 p.m. on Thursday.
Breed said she will shut Orange Cycle’s doors at 6 p.m., until further notice. Repairs will continue and bikes will be available for pickup behind the store or can to be delivered. Online sales also will remain.
Winter Park Cycles is taking a similar approach.
“We’re just trying to feel it out as we go right now,” shop owner Ward Bates said. “But a decent part of our business is set up through e-commerce.”