Conference noted::bicycle

There are some big motorcycling cafe's in the mountains around LA that atract
all sorts of people and bikes. Its more of a place for the exotic and vintage
racing/sport biker and touring bikers hang out than a classic "biker hang out".
They have showed a few clips of the action of one of the Cafe's in the US TV 
commercials for Kawasaki. (did anyone see the commercial?? It has a bad slant
towards bicyclist. The motor riders look cool, standing around, then they show
a couple of dorky looking people on bikes looking at them from afar suggesting 
If I had a motorcycle I'd be cool like them, but I'm just a dork on a bicycle
relegated to a second class life looking on from afar.) Anyway cafe's are big
bucks if you have them in the right place. One thing to add to the wish list is
BIG windows, so you can see your bike outside as well as the action.

Tom 

    
    	Don't forget to put *lite* beer on the menu ;-)
    
    					_Jerry

    Sounds like a good idea, but why Sydney?  It's full of hills and crazy
    motorists.  Much better to locate it in Melbourne, a civilized place
    withterrain that's kind to cyclists.  It's also 4 to 5 hours closer to
    skiing so that you can keep your muscle tone during the winter. :-)
    
    Richard

         How about locating in a "Hub" from which lots of different
         rides can start from. Sort of like a cross country ski
         touring center. You can provide predetermined routes and
         maps to customers. Places to stow gear or whatever. Your
         place would then be a home base of sorts.

         Also you should provide a "bike shoe friendly" floor to the
         place.

         Lots of "carbo-loading" foods.

         A bar serving energy drinks? yuck.

         But maybe the opportunity for customers to fill their
         bottles with the stuff.

         You could expand into rentals.....
         Lessons....
         Sponsor Time Trials or Road races...


         Getting out of hand yet?

         JC

    
    Japan has established about three dozen "Bicycle Terminals" 
    (in Japanese, something like "bicycaru teruminaru" I believe) 
    throughout the country.
    
    They're intended for a long weekend or a week's stay (reachable,
    say, by train), and come with maps that have interesting day-trips
    or half-day outings from the bicycle terminal.
    
    The Bridgestone cycling maps show loops, etc., close to the 
    bicycle terminals.  
    
    The terminals have dormitory-style rooms, meeting facilities,
    dinner and breakfast provided, for about the cost of an inn
    (�4600, about $38).  I stayed at one for a couple of nights,
    and did a day-trip up the Japan Sea coast and back.
    
    -john

    Re .4,
    
    lanolium (probably spelled that one wrong) and tile floors are out...
    
    It would also be nice if the floors in the restrooms were also NOT
    tile.
    

    	There is a reasonable facsimile in Woodside, CA.  I'm sure that
    the owner didn't intend it that way, but on weekend mornings, it
    is surrounded by bikes.    I've seen another one in Tempe, AZ that
    works out pretty much the same way.  
    
    	Plenty of places make the right food with juice, coffee, and
    all the other goodies.  I think what makes these places bike hangouts 
    is location.  They are on popular routes to get out of town and into 
    good riding areas.  In both instances they are at the base of moderate
    climbs; one of them is next door to a bike shop.  I'm sure that helps 
    as well. 
    
    			Good Luck!

    
     Lot's of cycling memorabilia hanging on the walls..
    
     Some place to sit outside to eat..I think cyclist like to be outside a
    lot, but what do I know.
    
     Have some snack foods that can be taken with the cyclist, figs ect...
    
     Have a few bike pumps hanging around that can be used.
    
     Maybe have a little contest for the individual that rides the
    farthest each week to get to the establistment, prize of a jersey
    with the establistments logo and a free mail..or something like that.
    
     other then that just be nice and gracious host.
    
      Tom  

    Valet parking, wash rack, quik lube "While-U-Wait", ...
    
    Energy and carbo drinks at the bar
    
    Massage Parlor on the side
    
    ed

    Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll keep them in mind. No it won't be
    ready in August, I have to get back to Aus yet. But you're all invited
    when I do. It will be somewhere near Centennial Park in Sydney, where
    all the cyclists hang out. I take the point from my Melbourne friend
    about Sydney drivers, having cycled in many countries I still think
    they are the most inconsiderate, arrogant drivers in the world. Anyway
    thanks again.
    
    							Phil.
     

    Agreed, Centennial Park is an oasis in an otherwise barren desert.  Let
    me know where and when you open for business and I'll visit next time I
    have my bike in Sydney.
    
    Richard