Southeast - Roll Call- Carolinas- N+S

Oh, Union County, NC boy (actually old man) here!


Say, since you're apparently from the area, would you remember or do you (or anyone else reading this) have any idea what ever happened to George, and his "Soft Spokin'" bike shop, that was located out off 74 in Indian Trail back in the 90's?

I bought my Bianchi from him back in '96, and I always found him to be...just like his moniker, soft "spoken", a nicer more down to earth bike shop guy, and lot less of aloof snob than most of the ones I usually encounter at a lot of other bike shops.

I dont' know if he just went out of business, moved his business, or if something happened to him. Anyone out there from the Charlotte or Union County area know what happened to George? I hope he's doing okay, even if he's not still in "the business".

Soft Spokin' Cycle Shop
5803 W Highway 74

Apex, NC
My mtb rides: 15 minutes from Harris Lake trails and 20 minutes from Crabtree Lake trails. For a MUP ride, 10 minutes from American Tobacco Trail and 30 from Umstead Park.
I ride road in Apex, Clayton and Sanford.

Another in greenwood. Been living here 13 years. SC is not as bad as people make it out to be, but its not much better....Greenville is a great place to live IMO. Wouldn't mind it there.

Say, since you're apparently from the area, would you remember or do you (or anyone else reading this) have any idea what ever happened to George, and his "Soft Spokin'" bike shop, that was located out off 74 in Indian Trail back in the 90's?

I bought my Bianchi from him back in '96, and I always found him to be...just like his moniker, soft "spoken", a nicer more down to earth bike shop guy, and lot less of aloof snob than most of the ones I usually encounter at a lot of other bike shops.

I dont' know if he just went out of business, moved his business, or if something happened to him. Anyone out there from the Charlotte or Union County area know what happened to George? I hope he's doing okay, even if he's not still in "the business".

Soft Spokin' Cycle Shop
5803 W Highway 74

George did go out of business. Do you remember that Soft Spokin' began in downtown Monroe, but was destroyed when a neighboring business owner blew-up his store to collect insurance?:eek: George's name came up on a group ride several months ago and I believe someone said he is doing well and working as a sales rep in the auto business, but my memory could be faulty.

Waxhaw, NC

Greensboro, NC. I'll be back in 2 weeks, then up to Boone. If anyone wants to ride, hit me up

George did go out of business. Do you remember that Soft Spokin' began in downtown Monroe, but was destroyed when a neighboring business owner blew-up his store to collect insurance?:eek: George's name came up on a group ride several months ago and I believe someone said he is doing well and working as a sales rep in the auto business, but my memory could be faulty.

Thanks much for the info.

North Charlotte (Oakdale), but I travel (by car) most of western NC/SC monthly (work). I just joined BF...I used to be an avid rider, then stopped riding for a decade or so...just getting back into it. I'm the one riding the 'clunker,' that's riding so slowly :D. Great thread. Go Heels! Cheers,

Ron

North Charlotte (Oakdale), but I travel (by car) most of western NC/SC monthly (work). I just joined BF...I used to be an avid rider, then stopped riding for a decade or so...just getting back into it. I'm the one riding the 'clunker,' that's riding so slowly :D. Great thread. Go Heels! Cheers,

Ron

Howdy Ron,

Welcome aboard. I used to commute through your neighborhood on my way to work: Mt Holly/Huntersville to Oakdale to Sunset to Beatties Ford Rd. I live out in Maiden,NC - at least during the week, and out in Wilkesboro, on the weekends.

You sound a bit like me. I used to be an avid road cyclist, at least up until '96 - right after I bought , what was then, a halfway decent (lugged steel) entry level road bike. I fell out of cycling right after I bought the bike, and didn't get back into it until just this past spring.

It looks like I got (re)bittin by the biking bug pretty hard. I began doing mountain century rides, completing 9 of 'em throughout the summer and fall , and am now seriously considering getting something a little more modern, with a little less weight. The ole 24lb+ lugged steel bike is nice and durable, but it tends to be just a tad sluggish, when I'm doing 11,000' of hill climbing over the course of a 100 mile long ride.

Thanks Nota,

I may "sound a bit like (you),"...but I seriously doubt that I will ever be "doing 11,000' of hill climbing over the course of a 100 mile long ride;"...and I actually treasure my "ole 24lb+ lugged steel bike." It is a true 'clunker,' an early 80's pink & white Ross Centaur. Yes, it is indeed "just a tad sluggish," but so am I!

I LIKE riding bikes, but I also ENJOY stopping and doing some bird-watching, hiking, photography, etc. along the way. I'm not even sure which 'biking category' would best describe me...maybe a new category, 'oddball.' I DO know that you and everyone else on BF have gone out of your way to welcome me and support me in my renewed interest in biking...sincerest thanks!

One of my favorite rides encompasses your previous commute: "Oakdale to Sunset to Beatties Ford Rd." When taking that route, I continue on Beatties Ford Rd. to Latta Plantation State Park...or on out to Cowan's Ford WR. Once there, I usually stop, hike and/or bird-watch with either my fieldscope or binnoculars, or both (I almost never bike without one or both)...and take pictures with my camera (which I always take). I also usually carry a lightweight tripod for the scope and/or camera.

I may someday upgrade to "something a little more modern, with a little less weight,"...but I fortunately/unfortunately have my eyes set on a few more 'clunkers.' If I were climbing 11,000' while doing a 100 miler, then I am absolutely certain that I would be "seriously considering getting something a little more modern, with a little less weight,"...rather than the 'clunkers' that I currently seem to be attracted to. Thanks again :). Best Wishes,

Ron

North Augusta, SC here.....I live here but work all over the two Carolinas. I am in Charlotte on a regular basis and trying to move there, if the housing market ever picks up.

I might consider renting and apartment there until my house sells here.

Carrboro/Chapel Hill here. Anyone ride around these parts?

coming at ya from Black Mountain, NC

George did go out of business. Do you remember that Soft Spokin' began in downtown Monroe, but was destroyed when a neighboring business owner blew-up his store to collect insurance?:eek: George's name came up on a group ride several months ago and I believe someone said he is doing well and working as a sales rep in the auto business, but my memory could be faulty.

Just following up on COR's info. George has been the store manager at the Automotive/tire shop at the Arboretum, but most recently has been seen managing one of the automotive/tire shops on 74 in the Matthews area. I ran into him at the tag place several months back. He was in good health and seemingly enjoying grandchildren, but not much biking.
George, technically, didn't go out of business. He put the shop up for sale. Murray and Steve teamed up to purchase the business. They kept it floating for a year or so, then they decided it was bleeding money faster than making money.
The shop was never the same after it moved out of Monroe. It actually moved just before the big explosion, so was unhurt by the blast. Evidently the overhead was much higher on 74 and the walk/ride in sales were less.

^ Thanks for the corrected information. Last time I was in the store, Murray was wanting to buy it but said George wouldn't sell. I was not a frequent customer, occasionally stopping in during a 70 mile loop from home through Unionville and Wingate. It's become so developed in that area that I doubt I'd ride there anymore even if my legs were interested. When my wife told me she didn't trust my Ron Cooper after I went down on it, George and Murray sold me a Bianchi Campione D'Italia (and repaired the Cooper while I recuperated). I'll never understand how I was lucky enough to marry a woman who would actually INSIST I buy a new bike.

Just following up on COR's info. George has been the store manager at the Automotive/tire shop at the Arboretum, but most recently has been seen managing one of the automotive/tire shops on 74 in the Matthews area. I ran into him at the tag place several months back. He was in good health and seemingly enjoying grandchildren, but not much biking.
George, technically, didn't go out of business. He put the shop up for sale. Murray and Steve teamed up to purchase the business. They kept it floating for a year or so, then they decided it was bleeding money faster than making money.
The shop was never the same after it moved out of Monroe. It actually moved just before the big explosion, so was unhurt by the blast. Evidently the overhead was much higher on 74 and the walk/ride in sales were less.

Thanks muchly for the update! I'm glad to hear that George is still "around" - even if his store isn't.