You know, this time of year people come into the shop and say to me “must be your busy time now mate, running up to christmas” and you know what, it isn’t. Why? well years ago, when I started in this trade, I can remember having a warehouse so full with bikes, you could hardly move, they were all put by for christmas by parents who had started savings clubs earlier in  the year, but, you see, back then the bike was the big present wasn’t it?

Tell me what did you get the kids for Christmas this year? Let me guess… A games console? A laptop? A mobile phone? These are not unusual presents going by what I’ve heard from people.  Also factor in that that’s was just the hardware, the games are £30-£50 at time too!!

This means the quality bike has become a bit of a problem in so much as it’s not expensive enough to be a main present but it’s too expensive for a stocking filler. Oh how times change! Anyway kids don’t need to jump on their bike to go and see their friends anymore as they can talk to/message them online all day, on the “istationbox” can’t they?

Now don’t get me wrong, I understand that not everyone wants to ride a bike at this time of year, it’s cold and usually wet. Heck, I sometimes have to think twice(or even three times!) before I venture out.  But the bike is the bike and once you’ve got it, you’ve got it and it can provide hours of fun and enjoyment.

Now, I could carp on about healthy kids are happy kids, and saving money by not running them anywhere in the car,  but at the end of the day if your little darling(s) don’t want a bike then they don’t want one and thats fine with me.

But if you are stuck for a present, then remember a bike on christmas day will always raise a smile because deep down we all love riding our bikes… AND it’ll be the biggest present under the tree!!!!

Well, enough of my meanderings, I just thought I’d put down some idle thoughts before I wish ALL my customers (past, present, and future) a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. God bless and see you all in 2012!