So, I haven't been able to sleep - why not ask one of the questions that's been buzzing around my head? I'm looking for the few, the good, the proud bike shops in the Seattle area. Basically the places that one would feel comfortable just going in to talk with knowledgeable guys, look at this thing or the other thing, etc. Shops with personality.

So far I haven't found much along my local routes in the Seatac area. Bicycles West, Center Cycle, and REI seem to be more like a brick-and-mortar Nashbar than what I'm looking for. (Nothing against them or Nashbar, FYI. Have gotten some great deals there; now I'm looking for something more like a bike haunt than a bike store. Does that make any kind of sense?)

The R+E (http://www.rodcycle.com/) shop's newsletter and approach seems promising. As does the Recycled Cycles (http://www.recycledcycles.com/) website. Unfortunately, I don't get beyond my normal routes much with lots of projects (and little kids) at home which need my attention, and I haven't been able to visit them yet. Share some wisdom - where do the laid-back bikes hang out in Seattle?