[CR]Re: New Blood

(Example: Bike Shops)

From: <Boy651@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2004 08:23:12 EST
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Re: New Blood

In a message dated 3/14/2004 7:08:14 PM Pacific Standard Time, classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org writes: It's amazing how few classic bikes you see on the paths.. interest is at an all time high it seems, but guys just don't ride them. Now that's crazy! Peter noted the above when writing about peugeot demographics which brings me to what I've been kicking around in my head the past several days -- how to broaden the interest in "classic bikes". I belong to several "Classic" hobbies -- german cameras and british sports cars. They are contantly talking on how to expand and bring in new blood. Both groups are aging and when people start kicking -- who's left to hoist the flag? We have these tribal gatherings several times a year however I tend to think they speak to the converted. I don't know about Cirque however Velo is a private gathering and intended to out of the public eye. How to expand -- you look at the hot rod market and they have gatherings all over the place and they do them all the time. They move into a main street area promoting it to the local businesses as a way to draw in customers. Maybe it works or not but people come in and look and I bet there are some young kids out there getting influenced by it all. Hell, every Friday nite at Bob's Big Boy in Toluca Lake they pile in - it's a family outing. Classic bikes are a hell of lot cheaper than both german cameras and british sports cars. Last year at the velo-rendezvous in pasadena we did the ride and stopped at this place for coffee drinks. Next door was this shoe shop and the guys come out and talk to me. They were digging all the bikes lined up 'cause they were also interested in cars. When I mentioned less space and less money -- you could see a light bulb go off, both asked how you find these bikes. Last month there was a LA Times guy who came along on the monthy ride for a sunday article. That was great but there is nothing like seeing one up close. For what it's worth... in addition to the two mega meets a year - how 'bout looking at doing several smaller meets/displays in public areas. Let people get a look at these machines. When these bikes get grouped together and people see them -- it has an impact. Any thoughts...?

George Elanjian
Los Angeles