Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Saturday, July 05, 2008
Shop owner reports biking boom in Fairmont, Minn.
FAIRMONT, Minn. — A southern Minnesota bike shop is struggling to keep up with the increased demand, and the shop's owner is pointing to high gas prices.
Larry Vogel is seeing bikes being dragged out of barns, sheds and chicken houses that are covered in years of dirt. People bring them to his Bicycle Shoppe in Fairmont.
He remembers the last time it was this busy — it started in 1972 when there were oil embargoes.
Vogel says some of his customers have plans to ride their bicycles instead of their gas-guzzling cars. He isn't sure how many people will change their lifestyles significantly, but his shop keeps busy all the same.
Vogel has had a policy of same-day service, but that's not very realistic anymore. He's been working well into the evening, closing his shop as late as 10 p.m.
All stories copyright 2000 - 2006 La Crosse Tribune and other attributed sources.