After a successful first full year in 2019, Buffalo Bike Tours was poised for growth in 2020. With COVID-19, most tour operators have assumed this year is a bust. But at Buffalo Bike Tours, we are committed to providing positive and responsive programming.
On today’s blog, we thought we’d take a moment to reflect on how Buffalo Bike Tours has responded to the needs of the community during these challenging times. Read to the end – there’s a special gift 🙂
BUFFALO BIKE RENTALS
With bike shops across Buffalo being sold out, the first thing we did was to expand our business model to be open for bike rentals in Buffalo. No bike? No time for a tune up? No problem! Bike rentals are available 7 days a week. If you’re looking for a super lightweight bike that’s fitted to your body, we’re here for you. Check out our bike rentals here.
BIKE THERE, BUFFALO! SELF GUIDED BIKE TOURS
Buffalo Bike Tours soon partnered with the Niagara River Greenway on Bike There, Buffalo!, a series of free self guided bike rides of Buffalo to keep people active during the pandemic with a social distance activity on bikes. Since its launch, more than 800+ people have signed up for the program.
Using the Ride With GPS app, riders can access turn-by-turn navigation in real time, plus history and stories. We also worked to produce a print version. Download the program here or pick up a print copy at our store.
BUFFALO CHICKEN WING TOUR
In the wake of the George Floyd protests, Buffalo Bike Tours renewed its commitment to racial and social justice, incorporating more stories and material related to Buffalo’s communities of color. In fact, we completely rerouted our most popular tour, the Wing Ride, to prominently feature Buffalo black history.
We kicked things off on John Young Day, in which we honored John Young, a black business pioneer and proprietor of Buffalo’s first chicken wing shop. Lina Brown Young, John’s daughter, was on hand serving her father’s historic mumbo sauce recipe which has been unavailable for 23 years, free to everyone in the Buffalo community.
BUFFALO OBSCURA AND TINY THAI POP UP EVENTS
Buffalo Bike Tours then teamed up with our friends Buffalo Obscura to host 13 temporary installations created by artists during the pandemic – best viewed by bicycle. Bike maps were distributed at Buffalo Bike Tours’ kiosk along with our available bike rentals.
The event also marked the launch of a new business, Tiny Thai. Chef Kae introduced us to Isan recipes and served up delicious Gai Yang and Chor Muang for one-weekend-only. It was incredible to be a part of helping launch a new business in Buffalo especially during our business climate.
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BEST-DRESSED BUFFALO TOUR OPERATOR
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With the onset of COVID, Buffalo Bike Tours was an early proponent of facemasks and went to great lengths to make locally-made face coverings. We first made locally-printed bandanas and used them as stock material for bike masks. Produced one at a time on an antique Singer sewing machine, we made these at cost to the Buffalo community.
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In addition, we made new premium cycling caps with Walz caps, custom water bottles with Specialized Bicycles, and newly designed T-shirts are hitting the presses. All Buffalo Bike Tours merch is made in the USA and most in Buffalo. Check out the awesome, growing collection over at our shop.
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A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS
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We know it’s a tough time for a lot of people but we are encouraged that things are beginning to open back up in Buffalo. In acknowledging the financial strain many of us are going through we are now offering 10% off for all tours during the month of August. All you have to do is enter the code GOINGFORBROKE2020 at checkout and you will receive 10% off your booking. Check out our full lineup of tours here.
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Thank you again for your support Buffalo. It’s an amazing time to be here and we are so thankful. Stay safe, stay healthy, and, as always, ride..before it snows!
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