Western Canada - vintage bike club in cowtown?

that would be calgary, for the rest of you..
don't suppose anyone on here likes old clunky steel frame bikes.. I have an old 1950s folding bike that I'd like to refurbish, and don't know where to start. I would love to learn from a person, hands on works better for me than the internets. Most gearheads in shops look at me like I have two heads when I come in with my, er, antique. any advice? does anyone know of a shop that isn't snotty, or of any old bike lovers who could help me out?

Hey, I'm going to watch this thread, because if there is one, I would be interested to. If you're looking for cool stuff check out this store called Plan B on 6th street and 17th ave, they have cool cruiser stuff.

oh yeah I'd forgotten about that place. good idea.

I'm not sure if its still there, but try Vitasport on centre street N (around 30th ave).

He carries a lot of older parts, mainly for steel road and touring frames, but he might put you in the right direction.

What you said about bike shops being snotty is pretty true here in Calgary. While a couple of shops embrace their cruiser customers, some shops laugh at the idea.

There used to be this place called Anna's Lowriders. I'm not sure if they are still in business, I've only heard about them second hand. Supposedly they have / had group rides and such.

no dice on anna's, the only reference I could find was a ffwd article from 2005. too bad it sounds like it was very cool. calgary just wasn't ready for the coolness...

I think I may need to find some way of organizing a bike club like that. It would be for low riders, cruisers, and everything in between. We could be like other bike clubs but with more beer.

I have started "Calgary Cruiser Club" on Facebook; please join if you have a cruiser and like pleasant rides that include beer! :)

that would be calgary, for the rest of you..
don't suppose anyone on here likes old clunky steel frame bikes.. I have an old 1950s folding bike that I'd like to refurbish, and don't know where to start. I would love to learn from a person, hands on works better for me than the internets. Most gearheads in shops look at me like I have two heads when I come in with my, er, antique. any advice? does anyone know of a shop that isn't snotty, or of any old bike lovers who could help me out? Eh, if you're in the NW, I can give you some basic pointers. you could also wheel it in to MEC, and see what they say.

I'm not sure if its still there, but try Vitasport on centre street N (around 30th ave).

He carries a lot of older parts, mainly for steel road and touring frames, but he might put you in the right direction.

Hi from Okotoks. I've started to put together a single speed bike with an old C.N.C. frame I got from Vitasport. I also found out from Ed, the owner that the bike he sold me was from his own catalogue back in the mid-70s. He's proud to let me know about it and even showed me the serial number. Interesting enough he pretty much gave me everything I need to get going with the refit. I've done the refit with the bike and already did a few trial runs and great ride. Though the frame and fork needed re-painting, the bike is ride-able. He still have those old components and if you bring the bike there, I'm sure he'll find something for you to match your bike.

I too would love to see a vintage bike club in Calgary. Would anyone like to be involved in starting one up before the end of the riding season here? Please message me and let me know.

I too would love to see a vintage bike club in Calgary. Would anyone like to be involved in starting one up before the end of the riding season here? Please message me and let me know.

I'm interested but what would be entailed in the members activity? Is this just for show and shine or actually going out for ride events etc?

I think it would be great to do both. Getting together for an informal pub ride at first and them seeing where the interest lies. I'm just looking to meet like minded people who enjoy vintage bikes, I don't think we need to start getting jackets and t-shirts made just yet;)

I think it would be great to do both. Getting together for an informal pub ride at first and them seeing where the interest lies. I'm just looking to meet like minded people who enjoy vintage bikes, I don't think we need to start getting jackets and t-shirts made just yet;)

I'm good with that. We meet on a Sunday morning, show our wares and talk about vintage like 'how tos' and maybe set-up a ride event like going out in the back country and sample some favourite desserts. Wow, that should be a good start.

Wow, you read my mind. Nice ride, nice food, nice coffee, nice bikes, sounds like a good Sunday to me!

We could add an hour on 'mind reading' too! :) Just kidding.

I think we could start by riding say 10 kms for our first meet. Maybe members can recommend a good back country roads where there are not a lot of cars and the town would have a great sampling of food.

I've ridden a stretch to Bragg Creek a couple of times several years back and I was coming from 22X South & Macloud Trail. It's about 35 km or something but there were too many hills along the way so I wouldn't recommend that way. There was another way coming from Sarcee Trail and it's a shorter ride like maybe more than 20 km. In Bragg Creek there was a 'PIE' shop that I always go to for snack with a good brew of coffee. I'm not sure if the place is still there. That's one of the high lights of my ride as well as the breath taking views from the road.

I'm from Okotoks so I'd like to recommend my town. I'll try to scout a good road where we can schedule a ride meet. Okotoks has a Fish & Chips place and the best place in the West, I'd say. The pride of our town. They serve also burgers which was voted as the No. 1 burger in the Foothills.