For Commuting Or Recreation, Oliver's Bike Shop Has it All

Bicycles are the most efficient means of transportation possible, if you ask Randy Mhyre, owner and manager of in New Tampa.

Of course he has a vested interest in promoting cycling, but he came to the business honestly by first being a rider from age 4 and by continuing to ride for business and pleasure tody. It is obvious he's ridden a lot, including during a period of living in Osaka, Japan. There, he worked as an English teacher and rode for personal transportation in one of the most bicycle friendly countries in the world.

"I am lucky enough to be in a business where I first had a passion," he said. Oliver's opened for business in New Tampa in 1998 and has built a very loyal following.

One of Mhyre's first pieces of advice is that the bicycle must fit the rider. "When it does, the first rides feel better, and the draw to ride more frequently is the key to success,” he said.

At Oliver's, the back shop repair area is in the front of the store. “We want our customers to see what we're doing and how we are doing it because it will help them with basic care and long term ownership of their bikes,” he said.

Do you need an annual tune up?

The answer to that depends on how often and how much you ride.

“If you ride once in a while, then perhaps a tune up will help. If you ride weekly, certainly get the bike in shape. If you ride distances then definitely get the bicycle tuned up for its optimum performance,” Myhre said. “Nothing destroys the enjoyment of a ride faster than malfunctioning gear changers or tires out of alignment.”

Most common adjustments involve the derailleurs, tire inflation and reapplications of lubricants for the chains.

Three levels of tune ups for bikes are available starting with basic maintenance at $55, which includes a series of adjustments, oiling, tightening or loosening of drive chains and more. There is also a performance tune up for $90, recommended for commuters who keep the bike in top performance shape. Annd their $200 repair/tune up can put even the hardest ridden or most neglected cycle back on the road again. Details of each level of service are listed on their web site.

Where to Ride?

Just starting out? Try the Flatwoods Trail, a 7-mile paved loop accessible from either Bruce B. Downs or Morris Bridge Road (east of Fletcher). There's water, bathrooms and the pavement is a nice smooth ride.

The Alafia River State Park is where riders can get started with off-road riding. There are beginner trails and those for advanced riders with about 14 miles of riding. Once you master those trails Boyette Park is near the Alafia River State Park, just south of Brandon. There are 12 miles of beginner's level two-track circling the lakes to give you a peaceful off-road experience.

Some Handy Tips

• #1 – The most common bicycle loss is stolen from a garage.  Therefore, lock your bicycle to something solid inside your garage.
• #2 – Florida weather takes a toll on rubber tires. If you see cracking in the tires, replace them.
• #3 – Pool chemicals are some of the most corrosive chemicals in today's household so storing your bicycle near your chemicals is a very bad idea. “It was a rare case, but I've seen a bicycle where the spokes were nearly rotted through from pool chemical corrosion,” Mhyre said.

Oliver's Sport Bicycle

Address: 18047-A Highwoods Preserve Pkwy
Tampa, FL 33647
Phone: (813) 910.0207
Website: http://oliverscycles.com