Happy Mother's Day.

I am already in the doghouse before 8 am this morning. I got up early to clean bikes, and I violated Mrs. Gomango's rule #102 that states there shall be no road bikes, or parts of road bikes, in her living room.

Guilty as charged. I brought up the portable stand from the basement early this morning and was gleefully finishing up a cleaning of my De Rosa SLX when I heard her stir. There was no use in thinking up excuses, as there are bikes everywhere. Not to mention the tell-tale odor of Simple Green.

As for storing these, I have some nice racks that I made a year ago that kept everything off the floor. I saw a pic in the forums here, and I wish I could remember the thread, but it really allows the tight packing of bikes in a hanging by the front wheel system. You can really pack 'em in if you loosen the handlebar stem and twist it sideways.

The problem right now is we are remodeling our basement and that was my former hideaway for red racing bikes.

I think I am going to band together with a few of my riding cronies and rent a deserted storefront. We found one on the outskirts of DT St. Paul that is right off the Shepherd Road bike path. Second floor has a view of the mighty Mississippi. This would make a dandy off site solution and would be a perfect spot to collect our overflow. Not to mention a great spot for our CL sales efforts. I have two buddies that are selling car parts and this would be a good solution for them as well. All we need is a security system for this site and we are good to go. The owner of the site is in a bike club with her husband so maybe we'll catch a break on rent.

Yep, a bike clubhouse. That's the ticket! I think I'll put this idea in the Mother's Day card that I am going to purchase in two or three minutes!