Bike rental Eugene Oregon started as a bicycle shop in 1969, nestled in the boonies of southern Oregon. They had a few bikes to rent and an even smaller number of them were the typical upright 2-gear clunkers. Things have changed since then, but whether you love or hate bike rental Eugene Oregon, it has something for everyone. Bike rental Eugene Oregon is the largest bike-rental place in the Pacific Northwest, with more than 700 road and mountain bikes, 3 onsite locations, and a good number of events.
There are a lot of things that make you love bike rental Eugene Oregon and a few things that make you hate them. Some of the things they do that make you love them include giving out free maps, riding advice from their staff, free refreshments on hot days or when you’re waiting for your bike to be fixed (and as it turns out there’s always something to fix) and product knowledge that is unmatched for someone who hasn’t been in the industry for 50-plus years.
Things That Make You Love And Hate Bike Rental Eugene Oregon :
1. They give out free maps.
Very few places you rent a bike from will give you a map that shows all the other bike rental shops in the area. You’ll also find things like parks, restaurants, and your hotel on it so that you can get an idea of where you are when you’re lost. The maps are also available online.
2. They know what they’re talking about.
This goes back to the above point, but there’s a reason the guy running their blog is trained to be a bike mechanic, has worked 20 years in bike shops and has lived in Portland, Oregon his whole life. And it is because he knows what he’s talking about when he’s giving you advice on where to go or where not to go on your next vacation or where the best local foods are.
3. They fix what they break.
You’ve heard the old saying before, “If you want something done right, do it yourself”? Well that goes for bike rental Eugene Oregon, too. They are always working to repair their bikes and always trying to improve the company and how they operate. That means that there may be a few times when your bike is out of commission for an hour or more before it’s fixed. But you can’t expect them to get everything done in a timely fashion if you’re constantly bringing them broken bikes over and over again (see below).
4. They don’t mind loaning you a different bike if your bike breaks down.
Now the last thing you want to do at the end of a long day of riding is ride around on a bike that isn’t yours. But if your bike needs to be in the shop longer than expected, they’ll give you another one to ride so that you can enjoy the rest of your vacation instead of wasting time sitting around waiting for them to repair it. This can mean extra money in their pockets, as well as extra money in yours.
5. They partner with nationwide hotels and resorts.
When you stay at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort at San Diego, you can rent a bike from bike rental Eugene Oregon and ride it to the hotel. The hotel is located less than 3 miles from their shop, which is a great perk if you’re in town to see whales or surfers. They also rent bikes at hotels like the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa in Hawaii and the Hyatt Regency Hotel Chicago.
The downside of this is that most of these hotels have separate policies for bike rentals, so be sure to ask about them before booking a room.
6. You don’t waste time or money.
The guy working in their shop might not look like he knows what he’s talking about, but he really does. He will get you set up with a bike that’s just the right size, tell you what water bottles to bring and how much water to drink, and give you tips on where to go or where not to go. But if you don’t want his advice, that’s fine because they also have bikes set up with baskets and panniers (bike bags) so that you can pack as much as you want without lugging it around on your back. They also have a whole array of seats and handlebars that can make riding more comfortable. He’ll set it up for you and teach you how to use it, which means you can get going right away.
7. They have a museum and all kinds of events.
Bike rental Eugene Oregon has been a bike shop for longer than most of the people working there have been alive, which means they’ve picked up some pretty interesting things over the years.