Scallywags Bike Shop prepares for '09 expansion

First of all we (Scallywags Bike Shop Staff) would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our loyal customers that we have had the opportunity to get to know and become friends with over the last two and a half years. We want to thank you for considering us a place you want to do business with.

Over these last couple of years we have travelled back and forth to Rwanda implementing around 1,500 Coffee Bikes to rural coffee farmers that needed a form of transportation to get their beans processed quicker and fresher. We have been able to take part in seeing how this bicycle tool has the power to change lives in the developing world. All the while, we have worked hard to maintain a thriving "mom and pop" bike shop to serve the Seward residents and the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul community.

The journey has just begun and there is plenty of work in front of us as our work in Rwanda is expanding to be able to provide even more Coffee Bikes to farmers not only in Rwanda but to many other developing countries around the world. We are in a place of a great transition as a business and organization and that's why we have decided to close the shop this fall to prepare for expansion in 2009. For us to properly respond to the bicycle needs both here and in Rwanda we feel that it's time for us to get away and plan out our next steps for the future. So we ask for your patience during this time of transition.

We hope that when we reopen in a new location you will again choose to do business with us. We believe that it's not merely business or the exchange of goods and services, but rather a community working together to help rebuild a nation that is leaving behind a history of violence and slowly lifting itself out of poverty. Thanks again for your business and friendship!

Our last day of business at the Seward location is September 13th.

For updates and news: go to www.scallywagsbikeshop.com or www.scallywagsbikeshop.blogspot.com.

I had to post this again

"Gas got you down?"

Well, look no further than the Scallywags Bike Shop. We've got used bikes for sale starting as low as $75. We can repair your bike that has been hung up in your garage all winter (tune-ups start at $35). We also have Rwandan coffee, very cool brake handle mugs, shirts, Project Rwanda gear, accessories, etc. Come on down.
Bikes rule-cars drool.

We're back in business...check out these cool kids we met in Rwanda.

There's never a dull moment in Rwanda. We had a good visit and got a lot done this time around. The Coffee Bike Project is growing by leaps and bounds so we have to prepare for future expansion. Thanks to all of you that waited until we returned to get your spring overhaul on. It was a good feeling swinging in the Shop that Monday morning after we returned with customers beating the door down. We appreciate your loyalty and your support for the work being accomplished in Rwanda. Thanks again and make sure to stop in, enjoy a cup of Rwandan coffee, and we'll tell you some stories from the field. Make sure and ask Joe about the silverback gorrilla that almost tore his arms off. That was cool!

Shop closed until April 14th. Now we go to Rwanda...

That's right. Now we go to Rwanda. We will be working on a much needed Coffee Cooperative based Bike Shop in the Musasa region. The shop will be constructed and outfitted to service the existing Coffee Bikes in circulation. Our job is to bring the tools needed and get together with the cooperative members to build the shop together as a collaborative. This will be FUN!
Also, we will be involved in meetings to discuss the future expansion of Coffee Bike project. We will be updating the blog from Rwanda so be sure to check back to see the progression.
We will reopen the Scallywags Bike Shop on April 14th and we will begin our extended Spring/Summer hours and they are: Monday and Tuesday 11-5, Wednesday-Friday 11-8, and Saturday 11-5. Closed on Sunday.
So, if you can hold off on your spring overhaul or whatever else your bike needs we will sure appreciate your business when we return. We apologize for any inconvenience and we look forward to sharing with you the developments in Rwanda. Again, thank you for choosing to do business with us and know that you are helping to rebuild Rwanda. Thanks!

Shop Talk

Conversation overheard in the Shop between Joe and Nikolas. Joe explaining to Nikolas a time trial build project coming up and it went something like this: Joe-"yeah, this gal would like to build up a time trial bike for competing etc" Nikolas- "did you say a time traveling bike?" Joe-"No, I said a time trial" Nikolas- "Okay, cause I was about to say..."

"Slick" is the word that comes to mind when I look at this Ritchey SS/Fixed Break-Away. I've been riding my Break-Away for six months or so and love it to pieces. Comes with a carbon fork and a light weight traveling case. Hurry up and get one!

Head on over to their site and check out the specs.

Coffee Bikes Available Now!!! Starting at $1000...get one now before they're gone!

Folks, the long awaited Coffee Bikes have arrived and we are making them available to the Minneapolis community. These bikes were designed by Tom Ritchey (Project Rwanda) and created in partnership with Dahon and Schwinn. The first 1800 were distributed to rural coffee farmers in Rwanda in 2007. When you purchase this bike a large portion of the revenue goes back to the project to build and distribute more Coffee Bikes to farmers in Rwanda. Come on in and test ride one of these things. The handling is amazing and our staff will help you upgrade this machine to suite your cycling/hauling needs.

Breaksea Caravel played at the Scallywags Bike Shop...and it was FUN!

Here are some photos from that night. Thank You Shivers!

Brett Working

Brad and Angelina get Project Rwanda Jerseys

9. Joe Goemaat 10. Mat West (Mpls non-messengers)

Stupor Bowl XI is over. The results are in and we are proud to announce that Joe and MAt came in 9th and 10th place this year out of 360 some odd registered. They moved up from last year when they placed 14th and 15th. Also, we'd like to give congrats to Nikolas, Pablo, "Bear", Justin, Tony, and Jesse for taking part and making it fun once again. Word ya'll

STOMPER Bowl XI

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN. IF YOU'RE IN THE DEUCE CITIES THIS WEEKEND YOU BEST BE GETTING READY FOR THE BEST RACE OF THE YEAR. AIN'T GONNA BE AS COLD AS LAST YEAR BUT WILL SEPARATE THE POSERS FROM THE NAIL SPITTIN' CYCLISTS. THE BIKE SHOP WILL BE SENDING OUR BEST TO THE FRONT LINE: JOE, PABLO, NIKOLAS, "BEAR", JESSE, MAT RESIST, MALACHI, AND FEW OTHER OUTLAWS. LOOK FOR'EM AND TRY TO CATCH'EM. OOGA-BOOGA, BENJO, LISA, TONI, CASH, BERRY, TAM, AND THE REST OF THE CREW WILL BE AT THE SHOP DRINK'N COFFEE AND PUNCHIN MANIFESTS. STARTS AT 1PM, THIS SATURDAY. STOP IN IF YOU FEEL LIKE IT.

January 29, 2008

Some thoughts on the current winter conditions:
According to the weather robot guy on Channel 17 we were to expect somewhere in the vicinity of a 70 degree temperature drop between Monday night and through Tuesday. Well, that did happen but here's the deal. When I left the SBS around 5 I braced myself for pain. I moved east at a nice pace and realized this wasn't bad at all until I passed a few communters headed west in some real pain. What a difference that makes, huh? Too bad all destinations can't be due east. I'm moving to frickin corrUptown! Wait a minute...
B

Scallywags on Discovery Channel

Open Shop discontinued for Remodeling

We will be discontinuing the Thursday night Open Shop so that we can dedicate that night to some much needed remodeling projects. We need to do some painting and making space to display all the long-tail coffee bikes etc. Stop on by on Thursday nights if you'd like to lend a hand. Thanks.

Bikes + Coffee = Ikawa Coffee Co.

The day has finally come. We are pleased to announce that Ikawa Coffee Co. has launched and delivered the first batch of Rwandan Coffee using the same Coffee Bikes that we have helped distribute to farmers in Rwanda. They will be updating the site periodically and will be giving you an opportunity to order up some good coffee for your business, friends, and family.
They are also offering residential bike delivery. Very cool things are happening.

One Got Fat

Scallywags Retreat 2007

The Scallywags Bike Shop Mechanics and Ikawa Coffee Co. staff headed up to Lindstrom, MN for some R & R. The Brohaugh family kindly offered their home/cabin to us for the weekend and fun was had by all. Joe, Chris, and Nikolas rode their bikes up there from Minneapolis and made it in record time while the rest of us lugged our bikes up Friday night. Berry and Paul had some good 'ole chili and cornbread waiting on us and then we headed outside under the stars to watch the feature presentation of one of the best '80's cycling films of all time, "RAD." We took away some choice lines like, "...all I can do is ride this bike...if I don't race that's self-destructive." And then there was the stunt double with the wig that didn't even come close to matching. Top notch film!

Another highlight that gets an honorable mention is the "Helltrack" that Paul and Joe constructed Saturday afternoon while Tyler, Josh, and Jake were busy making pizza for everybody. This track was amazing! It took you through the woods, around sharp corners, and over fallen trees and as it got dark we had to move cars into position to shine the lights onto the tricky parts of the track. The race would have four laps and it was intense flying around the course in the dark. Joe took the checkered flag or in this case toilet paper that Lisa and the gals strung up between two garbage cans.

Later that night we retreated to the back porch and watched an episode of "Alf" that ended up not being so funny. At least Paul thought it was funny and then we watched "Breaking Away." Go Cutters!
We had a great time riding bikes, hanging out, eating some good food, playing music, and riding bikes. Thanks to all that came and pitched in make it a great weekend!
PS It's probably not the best idea to ride bikes through the woods in rural Minnesota on the same weekend of the Deer Opener. A hunter really gave us a "piece" of his mind and threatened to shoot us when we rolled up on his tree stand.

New Sign-New Sites!

Folks-
We have a few items of interest that we would like to inform you about. We have a new sign, actually our first sign and we have gotten a lot of good compliments since we installed it on Saturday. One has to admit that it is pleasing to the eyes. Some have asked if we painted it and the answer is no. While exploring the bell tower a couple of months ago I ran across the sign in storage and thought it would serve our purposes just fine. It was used by a coffee shop in the late 70's and it was called "Sonrise Inn." Some of you Seward residents might remember it and then again you may not. Not sure how long they were in business but we thought that a good sign should not go to waste. We painted over their name and added our own vinyl letters. Another good thing about it is that the holes for the screws were still in place so Joe and Tyler slapped it up there in no time. Since then people have been dropping in one after the next, not realizing that a bike shop has been next to the Co-op for a year and a half. Surprise, Surprise!

Secondly, we are working on a few new websites that you may find interest in. The following websites will be up in a matter of days or a couple of weeks. Scallywags Bike Shop , Scallywags Inc , Ikawa Coffee Co
Please keep checking them because new features are added daily.

Thanks!

We're back from Rwanda!

Much to tell about the trip. It was a great time for the Scallywags (Joe, Josh, Lisa, and Benjo) to check on the status of the Coffee Bike Project and get to know the Project Rwanda Board and friends. It was an action packed time with plenty of wipeouts to go around. I'm fairly certain that every one of us took a nasty spill here and there. Apparently, Tom took a 50 mph header in the race from Kigali to Butare but walked away without a scratch. The stories will be forthcoming as we settle down and get over jetlag. For now, take a look at some of our photos.

Rwandan Short Film

Brief Description: The film is about a guy that hooked up a radio to his taxi bike. The radio has turned his taxi into a successful business. And at the end there is some footage from Wooden Bike Classic. Very cool!
Click here to watch it.

Coffee Bike and Rwandan Farmer Family

In less than a week the Scallywag Mechanics will be making their way back to Rwanda to assist Rwandan Mechanics with assembly and implementation of another 1000 Coffee Bikes. That will bring it to 2000 for the 1st year. Not bad, huh? There is a lot to do between now and then but we'll manage. Thanks to those that have supported us and are taking part in this work.


This is Vedaste (behind the camera) and his family in front of their home in Maraba, near Butare. They have been using the coffee bike to transport coffee and they also have been taking their vegetables to neighboring towns to sell. Vedaste loads up his family on the bike and uses it as a family wagon too.

Minneapolis to Two Harbors

The following riders rode from Minneapolis to Two Harbors on August 11th: Joe and Josh (Scallywags Bike Shop) Jesse and Aaron (Venture) and Mark. They left the city at 5:30am after a hearty breakfast that included: eggs, bacon, oatmeal, and coffee.
Total miles ridden: 184 miles
Time spent in the saddle: 11 hrs.
Tailwind: 20 mph

ScallySwag: Shirts ($15) & Mugs ($20) for Sale!

Be the coolest cat on the block with your very own Scallywags Bike Shop shirt.





Brake Handle Coffee Mugs!






If you are a hardcore coffee drinker, these handmade, one-of-a-kind Brake Handle Mugs are what you are after. Benjo, a committed coffee drinker, first came up with the idea 6 years ago. He was travelling around the world with the original mug, when the plastic handle broke off, leaving him in a pinch. He did what anyone else would do in his position. He took an old bicycle brake handle, drilled a hole in the mug and devised a solution that was stronger than the plastic manufactured handle. Voila! The bicycle brake handle coffee mug. Neccesity is the mother of addiction...er, I mean, invention.

A word from the inventor: "I have had my mug for years and it is bomb proof. It has traveled thousands of miles in search of the best coffee in the world (Rwanda, Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Poland, to name a few). It just tastes better than drinking out of styrofoam, not to mention the wastefulness of that. Buy one or two, and take 'em around the world. I use mine year 'round for the bitter cold Minnesota winters and then whip up some cold press in the heat of the summer. This mug works 365 days a year." -Benjo Clark

Specs:
16 oz. Double wall insulated stainless steel. For cold and hot beverages.
Price: $20
Bonus! Your mug arrives stuffed with a complimentary 2 oz. sampler of Rwandan coffee.

Order: Send check or cash to: Scallywags 2011 21st Av. S MPLS, MN 55404
*Include $5 for shipping out of state.

Corn and Bugs...

You know after working on bikes for years you never cease to be amazed at what comes through the door and what you find inside of bikes. Last week as Joe was doing a routine bottom bracket overhaul he found some interesting artifacts. What?

Scallywags Fun-Raiser 2007

Click "ya'll" to check it out ya'll

The Scallywags fun-raiser is over and done with. Again, we want to thank all of you that came out and supported this event. We especially want to thank Dave over at Surly for stopping in seeing us and bringing good gifts for the raffle. Also, we would like to thank Hurl, Gene, and all the rest that showed much generosity. The weather was great, the food was spectacular, and the 1st Annual Steel Rim Race was a blast. After three stages Paul Brohaugh took the checkered flag. Big thanks to Keston and Westdal and Breaksea Caravel for providing top notch music. And before I forget, the lunar module took a crash landing into the parking lot, taking out two bikes. Very fun!

We call it a "Fun Raiser"

Friday July 20th at 7pm
Scallywags Bike Shop 2011 21st Av
$10
It's going to be fun and you don't want to miss it.
Sponsors that have already responded: Project Rwanda, One on One Bike Studio, Surly, Cars R Coffins, and Freewheel. More to follow...

Finally a wooden bike!

After a long wait we finally got ourselves a wooden bike from Rwanda. Chris lugged it all the way back to Minneapolis in a duffel bag. Stop by and see it.

NEW SUMMER TIME HOURS
Hey-we switched up our hours a bit so you know when to catch us at the shop.
Here they are:
Monday-Closed
Tuesday- 10-5
Wednesday-10-5
Thursday- 10-5, S.O.S. (Supervised Open Shop) 5-10
Friday-10-5
Saturday-11-3
Sunday-Closed

Joe and Chris have arrived in Rwanda for a month long stay to help train mechanics to work on the coffee bikes that are arriving this week. For more photos check out Jay in Rwanda blog to the right.

Yeah, we've got some good Rwandan Coffee available now. Make sure and head over to our new temporary website to order up some. Visit scallywagsmpls.org. It should be up and running by the end of this week or just swing by the Shop and pick some up there. Enjoy!

We are happy that we were able to take part in Stupor Bowl this year. We sponsored 6 Scallywag riders that were first timers to the annual race. Joe (placed 14th), Jesse (15), Mat (16), Tyler (60 something), Nik (60 something), and Bret (?). All in all we had a great time at the shop serving up some soup and coffee for the frigid riders and we'll definitely be back next year. Thanks to all the organizers for all their hard work and the rest of the sponsors, and riders that made this a very cool race.