There is no good reason why Gainesville, a Silver Star League of American Cyclists town and home to massive unpaved and on-street trails, should not have an awesome community bike shop.  With twice the poverty rate of Florida's average, a City Council that struggles to deal with poverty and working person's issues efficiently, and a huge ride-by-necessity population of commuters, it makes good darn sense.

Turns out we do have just that. 

Many of you know about the sad demise of the rented space downtown, but _The Kickstand_ has risen again Phoenix-like, using Bo Didley Plaza downtown for some time now, and in a socially profitable collusion with GCC Board Member and Lanterne Rouge Chandler "The Humble Wrench-Man" Otis and At-Large Board Member Dan "The Man" Perrine.  I have been down there twice, and seen working people getting their bikes fixed for free, or learning how to fix them.  It is awesome.

Bikes N' More was instrumental over the years in helping the K-Stand purchase needed materials, by the way.  Owner and shop diplomat Paul Schmidt and the gang deserve a big shout-out.  Forgive my ignorance of other help from other shops.

As a Co-Founder of a successful community shop that worked its way up from roving repair and teaching station to brick-and-mortar status (http://qcbs.wordpress.com/), I fully endorse and applaud this group's craft and methods.  I hope we're going to be hearing a lot about them, especially in these hard times.

In Solidarity,

James Thompson

-Co-Founder, Querencia Community Bike Shop

-Co-Founder, BikeGainesville.org