Gymnastics Season Begins – CLOSED Saturday Oct 24, Reopen Tuesday Oct 27

As the weather cools down, and daylight hours get shorter, fewer people ride bikes. I know, it’s terrible that it has to happen this way, but it’s part of the changing of the seasons, along with falling leaves, football, and those dreadful pumpkin spice coffee drinks that some people are so attached to. I know that some dedicated cyclists (and some mentally imbalanced ones) will continue to ride right through fall and winter, but many will not. That’s fine with me, because fall/winter means that I get to shift gears, and get involved with my first sport, gymnastics. I started taking gymnastics classes when I was a kid, 7-8 years old, and competed all the way through college. My first job was coaching at Blue Ridge Gymnastics Academy, at 15, and then a year or two later I started judging the competitions I wasn’t in. So even though I don’t work out much anymore, I still try to stay involved in the sport, and judging is a great way to do that.

JMU Club Gymnastics Meet

JMU Club Gymnastics Meet

Yea, gold pants.

Yea, gold pants.

So between October and March, I’ll have 5-10 gymnastics meets to attend. This means I’ll have to close some Saturdays. I’ll do my best to post my absences in advance. This Saturday (Oct 24) will be the recertification clinic, so Chain of Fools will be CLOSED. Sorry for the inconvenience, I’ll be back to normal hours next week.

Chain of Fools is Now Selling New Bikes!

So I’m a little late on this one, but better late than never, right? It’s still exciting for me to tell you the news, Chain of Fools Bicycle Repair is now an Authorized Dealer for KHS Bicycles!

I’m really pleased to be able to offer high-quality bikes that don’t cost an arm and a leg. Mountain bikes, road bikes, comfort bikes, hybrids, KHS makes a bit of everything, and I’ve got a nice mixture of sizes, styles, and colors in stock. I picked a great time to start stocking bikes, as well, because we’re at the end of the 2015 model bikes, and the new 2016 bikes are still on the way, so I’ve got some fantastic closeout prices! Come in and check it out, because once the 2015 bikes are gone, and I have to stock up on 2016 bikes, they’ll be full price.

Big Chainges!

Well folks, it’s been an eventful couple of weeks! Anyone who has passed by the shop has probably noticed that a few bikes have started appearing in the big window upstairs. I think you can guess what means, Chain of Fools Bicycle Repair is expanding! Thanks to all the great bicycle-loving people (you) in Martinsville and Henry County, I’ve run out of space in my little basement, and I need to bring my inventory above ground to make room for all the bikes I’m repairing.
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Oh yea, and I need to make room for the nearly 20 used bicycles I just picked up!

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My Subaru wouldn't have stood a chance...

After a very long, but productive trip to meet a fellow bike shop owner (thanks Freddy!), I’ve returned with a ton of cool stuff. Trek, Fuji, Raleigh, Bianchi, Peugeot, Motobecane, Schwinn are just some of the bikes I picked up.

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Sensory overload, there were so many cool old bikes, I had trouble picking anything out

All of them are 20-40 years old, and need some work, but quality bikes like these are worth restoring, and soon they’ll be ready to ride!

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A real gem, all original, in great shape!

I’ve already had someone call dibs on one of my “new” bikes, so I doubt this stock will last long, come check it out before it’s too late!

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Oh yea, and I've got a Trike! Come for a test ride!

Now get out and go ride!!

A Fantastic First Month!

In case anyone has been wondering what’s been going at Chain of Fools Bicycle Repair lately, I haven’t had much time to post, which is AWESOME! Since I opened in March, I have been SWAMPED with customers who want to get out and enjoy this lovely spring weather we’ve started to see, and I couldn’t be more pleased!

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I’m really excited that so many people want to get riding.  In my first month open for business, I’ve worked on close to 50 bikes, ranging from run-of-the-mill entry level cruisers and casual mountain bikes, all the way up to high-end carbon fiber speed machines, with everything in between. Whether you need a tune-up, or a complete overhaul, I’ve got you covered!

Nobody has an excuse to worry about their bike being to old to ride

Nobody has an excuse to worry about their bike being too old to ride

A major transplant, so the police could send their old bikes out for a fresh coat of paint

A major transplant, so the police could send their old bikes out for a fresh coat of paint

I’m also working on building up my inventory of parts and accessories, so even if your bike is working just fine, I’m sure I can provide you with something to make your ride faster, more comfortable, or just more fun. If you want something specific, please let me know! I can only keep a limited inventory, but I have access to THOUSANDS of different items, including car racks (for more than just bikes), hydration backpacks, and a TON of other stuff.

Even if you don’t need anything, but just want chat about biking, or see what Chain of Fools Bicycle Repair is all about, come on by, I’m happy to help!

Now Serving Martinsville & Henry County

Today’s the day! Chain of Fools Bicycle Repair is now Open to the public!

Got a wobbly wheel? Maybe skipping gears?

Need a new tire? Or a bike lock?

I want to help get your bike ready for this beautiful spring weather, so you can get out and RIDE!

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Spring is Coming!

Well folks, it’s finally March! Winter is drawing to a close; Sunday marks the beginning of Daylight Savings Time, and the first day of Spring is shortly after that, so you know what that means…we can finally get back outside! I’m especially excited this year, because Chain of Fools Bicycle Repair will be open in LESS THAN 2 WEEKS!! It’s been a long road, but I’m getting dangerously close to being ready. The shop is clean, painted, and now I get to set up displays and racks of merchandise.
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Now I want to hear from you!

I’m about to stock up on gear to make this year a great year for YOU to get out and ride a bike, if there’s anything you’ve been shopping around for, or any gear you’ve been wanting, feel free to let me know! You can hit me up on the Facebook page, shoot me an email, or leave me a comment here on the webpage. I can’t wait to help you get out and enjoy the beatiful weather we’re about to get!

“Orange” You Glad Martinsville is Getting a Bike Shop?

Yes, Chain of Fools Bicycle Repair has a fresh coat of paint, but that’s not all! I’ve also got a few new important numbers for everyone: an official phone number (276-336-8529), and most importantly, an opening date!

March 17 is the big day, go ahead and write it on your calendar. Yes, that’s St Patrick’s Day, there’s no significance to it, it just seemed like a good date. If you’re as excited as I am (and I know you are) there may be a couple of sneak previews coming in the next several weeks leading up to the Grand Opening, so stay tuned.

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Taking Shape

We’re well into 2015 now (I can tell because I’ve stopped trying to date everything 2014) and I’m incredibly excited because Chain of Fools is actually beginning to take shape in a real, visible way. Projects like this seem like they rarely stay on schedule, but it appears that I’ll be open for business in March, as initially planned. Progress has felt painfully slow until rather recently (cleaning away 40+ years of dirt and dust takes patience), but the shop is finally CLEAN, and I’ve got plenty of light now, so I can say that with confidence! It still needs a coat of paint to look like an official business, and not a dungeon, but the hardest part is done. I can’t wait till spring!

Here’s a little sample of the progress, starting with the day I got the keys.

A bike shop in the rough...

A bike shop in the rough…

Once the new lights were on, I could see a lot more work to do.

Once the new lights were on, I could see a lot more work to do.

Giving the walls and floor a good scrub

Giving the walls and floor a good scrub

40 (or more) years of dust and dirt running right out the back door.

40 (or more) years of dust and dirt running right out the back door.

So, Who’s the Fool?

Hello Internet!

My name is Matthew Huckfeldt, and I’m the owner of Chain of Fools Bicycle Repair. I’m a pretty active guy, so if I look familiar, you have probably seen me at one of my other jobs. I’ve worked at Mtn’ Jax, I’ve coached gymnastics at Blue Ridge Gymnastics Academy, and I work at the Bike Barn on the Dick & Willie trail. So, with all these activities, why did I decide to start my own business? Well, to put it simply, I love to help people get active, and to see them having fun while doing so. Working at the Bike Barn opened my eyes to the number of people in Martinsville and Henry County who are interested in bicycles, and that riding bicycles is a great activity for such a wide range of people, from young children, to retired adults. The time is right for Martinsville to get a bicycle shop, and I’m excited to make that contribution to my community!

Now, I only have 2 more months to get this place ready…

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