{"id":342,"date":"2025-07-28T12:00:59","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T12:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sleepystork.com\/?p=342"},"modified":"2025-07-31T10:35:20","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T10:35:20","slug":"east-denver-bike-shop-makes-you-feel-welcome-regardless-of-experience-age-or-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/sleepystork.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/28\/east-denver-bike-shop-makes-you-feel-welcome-regardless-of-experience-age-or-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"East Denver bike shop makes you feel welcome, regardless of experience, age or budget"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s note: This is part of The Know\u2019s series, Staff Favorites<\/a>. Each week, we will offer our opinions on the best that Colorado has to offer for dining, shopping, entertainment, outdoor activities and more. (We\u2019ll also let you in on some hidden gems).\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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If you’ve got dogs lazing outside your storefront, chances are I’ll stop in.<\/p>\n

Good thing I was going to Mike’s Bikes anyway. The East Denver location<\/a> of the California-based chain is tucked behind an AMC Theatre, near the end of a nondescript block at Colorado Boulevard’s 9+Co. development. And yet biking enthusiasts pour in and out of the store every day, petting gentle sentries Scout (a labradoodle) and Peach (a bassett hound\/lab\/husky mix) as they rep the good vibes inside.<\/p>\n

My 12-year-old son’s bike recently threw a gear, prompting not only a new bike search, but also new helmets for him, my daughter and me — of which Mike’s naturally carries various styles and price ranges. We opted for ones with Mips protection<\/a>, a brain-safety layer that should be familiar to most cyclists, “designed to move slightly in the event of an impact (and) … redirect rotational motion away from the head,” according to Mips’ website.<\/p>\n

Standard stuff at most bike shops, sure. And Colorado has no shortage of great ones<\/a> (local chains, even!).<\/p>\n

Non-standard, however, in my experience, was the kind, patient reception my 8-year-old daughter Lucy received. A friendly young employee walked her through bikes, helmets, gloves and more without the pressured sales pitch or superiority complex, giving my daughter space to envision herself speeding down the street on one of these many beautiful frames.<\/p>\n