HARO BIKES

Snow, Ice, Traffic Chaos, Madison Telegraphe Jackets, Polar Buffs, Buff Headbands, Sealskinz Extra Cold Weather Gloves, Ogio ruc sacs, Christmas gifts.......

The country has come to a hault! What will be in store for us in the New Year? Closures of the main road network in central Scotland has caused disruption to most peoples lives in some way this week and will continue into next week, be it a shortage of diesel, cancellation of events or Christmas internet purchased gifts being caught up in depots in Perth & Glasgow.

But, I did hear of one brave Edinburgh based biker still cycling to work on Monday - Euan (Dougie's son, who works in the Edinburgh Bicycle Company) - although we have no photographic proof. Here at Mikes Bikes we are not biking to work but have all turned to foot (including Nigel) or 4 wheels when necessarry. Like many small businesses we have to try and get on with it despite the weather; we employ local staff and have commitments to meet - Santa's Elves are busy in the workshop.

Due to customer feedback from last winter we have increased our winter range of clothing and accessories to include - thermal buffs, windproof buffs, fleeces, extra cold weather gloves, waterproof & windproof jackets with /without hoods, OGIO ruc sacs (from £19.99), thermal socks, beanies.......& over course winter tyres, bike covers, more lights and cleaning products....we had one of our regular customers in yesterday commenting on a pair of 'Sealskinz Winter Cycling Gloves' he had bought from us a few weeks ago, he was raving about them - 'they are great for holding the shovel when you are digging the snow, the grip is remarkable, much better than any of my other gloves' - at £35 they may be an ideal gift for someone at Christmas. The same gloves would probably be great for gripping ski poles & if it gets even colder we have thermal inner gloves, so although something says 'winter cycling gloves' you will find like a lot of sports and leisure gear it can actually be used for a variety of disciplines whether it is skiing, boarding or walking.

It seems bizzare that we are freezing here yet one of our customers who was in last week was buying a racing bike to take back to Saudi Arabi to join the one his partner bought from us last year - he couldn't wait to get back to the dessert!!!!!!!!!!!- if only...

You will not have noticed much news from the Cyclo Cross races from Mike, well to be honest due to the weather, race cancellations and a cold - he hasn't been to any yet this year infact his Ridley Cyclo Cross bike is now on his Jet Black Turbo Trainer (£129.99) - no doubt it will make a re-appearance outside in the New Year although his is keen to get his new MTB out first the 'Merida 96 HFS 1000D' - SLX, X-Fusion 02 RL Remote/Manitou R7 100 Lockout Shox, .....You should check out our gallery as Megan Riach did give the Cyclo Cross bike a shot in the 'thick snow' - maybe Euan from Fireproof Match has a better idea with his 'snow bike'.

 If you have any snow images on your bike, send them in and we will publish them.

For those of you who have not finished or even started your Christmas Shopping yet then why not pop in, we have loads of stocking fillers and Christmas Gifts from £1.00, free gift wrapping service and you can also enter our free Christmas Raffle to win a Mountain Bike. It is still not to late to order a bike for Christmas we have a good stock of kids and adult bikes, local deliveries can also be made up to the 23rd December 2010 (weather permitting) - although Mike likes a challenge in his van! - so far this winter the Mikes Bikes Van has not let us down again. Anyway hope to see you before Christmas and if it really gets too much for you pop into the Doo Below for a hot chocolate or up to 'Sally Ann Wescott' beautician for a bit of pampering!

We have started our 2011 events page, if you are organising any local sports events or know of any and wish them on our page, then email us the details on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Oh incidently, we heard from the 'old blogger' Dougie today - there is still no snow in Dumfries ...mmmm......shall we believe him?