Spring! That glorious time of year when our winter accoutrements are put down for a long nap and our summer toys – the kayaks and paddleboards and bicycles – are pulled from sheds and garages around the state, shaken awake, and welcomed back into regular use. It’s a seasonal exchange we all look forward to (well, not the snowshoes. They think spring is stupid and get downright crabby about it).
Spring is also a good time to take advantage of early season swaps and sales to buy new-to-you gear that you can use all summer long. If you’re in the market for a bike, check out these upcoming bike swaps and yard sales:
Great Maine Bike Swap
USM Sullivan Gym, Portland
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, April 14 (Drop off bikes on Saturday, April 13 in the evening between 3-6 p.m.)
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s annual sale features hundreds of bikes, including hybrids, road bikes, mountain bikes, children’s bikes, recumbents and more. Drop off bikes to sell the evening before. $5 cash registration fee for selling a bike, $5 cash entry fee to buy a bike. While the gym is full of bikes at 10 a.m., they go fast, so get there early for the best selection.
www.bikemaine.org/maine-swap
ALSO: If you have a bike to donate (as opposed to sell) to the Bicycle Coalition (any bike, any condition) and you like beer, check out the Bikes for Beers event on April 7 at Maine Beer Co. Donate a bike, get a beer!
Gorham Bike & Ski Used Bike Sale
693 Congress St., Portland
9 a.m. Sunday, April 28
Expect great deals! You never know exactly what treasures you’ll find. Don’t miss this one-day-only event and get there early! For info on selling your bike:
gorhambike.com
Allspeed Bike Swap
127 Marginal Way, Portland
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 18
Buy a used bike, sell your used bike. If selling, drop your bike off the week before.
www.facebook.com
Bike Swap Saturday – Rainbow Bicycle
Rainbow Bicycle, 97 Lisbon Street, Lewiston (Canal Street entrance)
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 6
Bring a table and set up shop if you want to sell parts, or leave your bike with the shop and they will try to sell it for you. Or just stop by to shop around! If you are selling bikes, be sure to come back at the end of the day to collect your earnings.
rainbowbike.com/bike-swap
Used Bike Shops
If you miss the swaps but still want to give a used bike a forever home, check out these Maine shops for pre-owned rides that might be your new two-wheeled best friend:
Portland Gear Hub
155 Washington Ave., Portland.
Used bikes (and other outdoor gear) all season long.
portlandgearhub.org
Port City Bikes
82 Parris St., Portland
In addition to building, repairing, and customizing bikes, they sell new and used bikes.
portcitybikes.com
Roy’s Bicycle Shop
75 Farwell St., Lewiston
Used bikes and new bikes and accessories. Rentals, too!
www.roysbike.com/used-bicycles.php
Kingdom Bikes
219 Kingdom Road, Blue Hill
Used and new bikes for sale.
www.kingdombikesbluehill.com
