Where do you buy/store bikes in SoWal

[Paula]

We'd like to buy 4 basic, maybe good used bikes. And then we need to figure out where to store them at our place because we have no room inside and no covered storage outside. We could store them under our cottage because we have access to some storage space there -- this means they'd be laying on their sides on the sand. Or we could build a bike rack and store them there, but that means that we'd have to get a cover for them (no big deal) and guests would feel bad that they don't have access to them (I'd feel uncomfortable having everyone use them for safety and liability reasons/bike lock reaons, etc.). Do you have any suggestions for which is the best way to store our bikes when we're not there? Would they get damaged by weather by being stored under the cottage or just outside on a bike rack? If they were outside on a bike rack, would they be dangerous (e.g., would they fly away and hit someone's house or go through their windows during a hurricane?)

Any other bike advice? I am not a bike-rider at all, but hope to become one.

thanks.

 

[Kurt]

For occasional use, I would rent from one of the local companies. They will pick up and deliver.

 

[JT]

I agree, unless you completely cover the bikes top to bottom they will get corroded with the salt air. You will wind up getting maybe 1 years use out of them and then have to buy new ones. In my younger years I did a lot of biking. Ive seen a lot of bikes bite the dust in the salt air.

jt

 

[Paula]

I thought of that and maybe we'll do it next time, but if we come down about 6 times a year and rent 1 - 4 bikes each time, sometimes for up to a week, would that get expensive? I figure the money we'd spending buying them would probably not too much more than we'd spend in a year renting them. Does this make sense?

What's the least expensive and complicated kind of bike you'd recommend given we'd be riding along the bike path mostly? Do we need to shift gears or would a plain old-fashioned bike do?

 

[30A Skunkape]

It may be too late for this, but back in January a bunch of the bike places on 30A were selling their used bikes for $75 per bike. Renting the things is not cheap, and I agree, the cost of the bikes at full price just isn't worth it-the sea air reduces the things to rust pretty quickly. You could always go to Target'.

 

[Paula]

I'd be happy with a Target or Walmart or used Bikes. (but then, again, I'm happy with our old van, too). I just care about ease of use and safety and ideally something that will hold up for a few years. I just want to ride up and down 30A on the bikes, especially when the roads get too busy for easy driving. But then the bike path must get pretty crowded, too.

 

[Mermaid]

Paula, I have an idea. I'll PM you.

 

[JT]

I'd be happy with a Target or Walmart or used Bikes. (but then, again, I'm happy with our old van, too). I just care about ease of use and safety and ideally something that will hold up for a few years. I just want to ride up and down 30A on the bikes, especially when the roads get too busy for easy driving. But then the bike path must get pretty crowded, too.

Another suggestion if you think it might be worth it to buy the bikes. You can get those large mattress bags and store them in it. Throw a towel in each bag to absorb the moisture and see how that works. Just a thought.

jt

 

[Paula]

Clever. My hunch is our association for the community will want nice looking regular covers. But I like your idea!

 

[Smiling JOe]

Well, you can buy $125 bikes at Wal-Mart, and with care, you should be able to get about 2 years out of them around the beach. The question is, where will you store them when you rent your homes? Don't expect your renters to take as much care for them as you would. ;-)