The end of all things

The title of this sounds very dramatic but I'm just quoting the name of a NoMeansNo song (again). It's not 'the end of all things' whatsoever but the closing of just about my favourite ever shop. It's a bike (and lawnmower/motor accessory) shop which has been about for over 100 years and it's closing down within the next couple of months. Please let me point out this shop is not closing due to problems but rather because the proprietor has more rewarding ventures to put his time and funds into. He's not really interested in bikes, cars or lawnmowers, so you can see why he would rather put his efforts elsewhere.

Anyway, I was off on a slight tangent there. I'll miss this shop. It's not just about the prices (which were absolutely great and I'll give a few examples of in a little while) but the consideration and care shown by the shop's owner. It was one of those places you looked forward to going into because you knew you could waste time chatting with little interest in buying anything (although I was partial to making a few purchases) and you wouldn't get hurried away or ignored. I know that sounds like something every shop should do but few seem to. Really, you couldn't have imagined a more considerate shop owner and I'll miss the shop.

Now, a few of the prices I was going to mention (to display the incredible value): De Marchi Contour bib-tights (without padding and the '04 model, I think) for £19, De Marchi Strada bib-tights (again without padding and possibly the '04 version) for £16 and Nalini Agostino longsleeved jerseys for a mere £30. Considering the RRP for those items (in order mentioned) were £60, £40 and £80, that's pretty incredible, even for last year's model. I guess you could argue they're 'out of date' but I really don't care. As far as I can tell, the newer versions of these items are practically identical and I'm ecstatic about the prices I've paid for them (and many other items). Alas, it's back to online shopping again for me soon. Sigh...