A Giant Valley Bike Month
During last week’s Arizona Bike Week, city streets were flooded with the sounds of roaring motorcycle engines. But April is Valley Bike Month and caters to a much quieter brand of bikers: bicyclists.
Sponsored by Valley Metro, the annual Valley Bike Month features guided public art rides, family rides, festivals, ‘bike-to-work’ days, and even a bike prom.
Cycling enthusiasts like Cindy Lacotta are already geared up for Bike Month – but, in truth, every month is Bike Month for her. Cindy pedals her bicycle to work every day, commuting along the SRP canal from Gilbert to Scottsdale and back, a 40-mile round trip.
Although Giant is a global brand, Scottsdale Giant is a locally owned by Richard Marquis, or “Rick” as his employees call him. Rick originally owned and operated Javelina Cycles in Ahwatukee and opened Giant in Southern Scottsdale a little more than a year ago. The shop’s location has easy access to the canal and a number of side streets and bike paths that make the area very bicycle-friendly – especially for Giant employees. Many of them, a couple of whom don’t even own a car, regularly ride their bikes to work.
Cindy smiles sheepishly when asked how many bikes she owns. She takes a moment to visualize the stable of bikes parked in her garage (the cars are parked in the driveway). “About 15, I think,” she calculates with a laugh.
A friendly atmosphere and top-notch customer service is a priority at Giant. “When you sell a bike, you have control over the experience of the customer,” says Cindy. “You don’t have control over their first ride. And if it’s a bad experience, you don’t just lose a customer, cycling loses a customer.”
Cindy beams with enthusiasm about cycling, particularly when she describes how she shares the cycling culture with her customers.
“They come back after their first bike race and they’re so excited and they share every detail of it with you. I have customers come in and lift up their shirts, showing off their weight loss.”
Giant employees agree that cycling is a feasible means of transportation in the Valley and the number of bike paths, canal routes and quiet side streets provide scenic rides that also avoid dangerous intersections.
Cindy says that cycling is something people can do year-round, even in the sweltering heat of summer because the air is always moving. “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choice,” she says, adding that safety, whether it’s from heat, cold, or cars, is always a priority.
Feel like trying cycling? Join Giant during Bike Month for an introduction to mountain biking, a flat fixing clinic or tag-along on a group ride. Click here for more details.