More on Bikes: Corktown Cycles

A couple weeks ago, during my search for the hottest urban decay and stumbling on--what I didn't know then, but know now--the Imagination Station (more on the IS soon), my friend Chris and I found our way to Corktown. As we drove, I noticed cyclists riding in actual bike lanes! That's right, Corktown is one of the first places to paint safety lines for the car-less (not to be confused with "careless") commuters. (Cyclists = car-less, drivers = careless?) I pointed them out to my decay porn photographer and he informed me of a documentary he recently watched that was all about cycling in Detroit. Then he told me that he thinks he spotted one of our old friends, and cycling enthusiast, on the documentary. 

"I think I saw Jordan on there," he said.

And sure enough, it was Jordan.

(Jordan Bentley: owner of Corktown Cycles; thrower of some really fun parties)

 After we found out where his shop was located, we decided to drop by. And after taking a few wrong turns down a few one way streets, we made it to Corktown Cycles.

(The handmade sign is artsy and welcoming)

We pulled up to a half a dozen restored Schwinns and other old, but nice looking and, thanks to Jordan, functional bikes chained to the chain-link fence. For cyclists into vintage equipment, the eye candy begins before one steps foot into the store. 

(A few of Corktown Cycles inventory, patiently waiting to be purchased)

We walked through the gate, toward the shop, and were greeted by his girlfriend Cherry, their black lab (forgot his/her name) and their small-but-extremely-enthusiastic-and/or-protective west highland terrier (forgot that name too). Cherry remembered Chris and I and let us in. Jordan, out on business, joined us several minutes later and gave us the grand tour. 

Corktown Cycles looks wonderful. It is in an old house which Jordan is restoring along with the bicycles. The shop was filled with old but usable--sometimes still shiny!--parts. A dozen or so bikes were for sale, many of which are a mash-up of many different bikes. Old trek mountain bikes with two different brakes and two different wheels, all perfectly rideable and, despite mismatching parts, looked great--desirable even. 

Old cycling jerseys--which, by the looks, were mainly from the late 80s/early 90s, with splashes of hurt-your-eye neon--hung like art on every wall. Dozens more hang on a rack immediately left of the entrance. I spent a good 20 minutes rifling through the old jerseys, admiring their bright shine. They may be old, but they were certainly excited to be up for sale again. Many of these jerseys, with their exuberant and fast-looking colors, slightly resembled a busy downtown at night.

    

(A picture of downtown Hong Kong at night)

and...

(A typical cycling jersey from the 90s era)

See? Pretty similar, eh?... 

Anyway, Corktown Cycles is helping Rescue Detroit (cheesy tagline), and certainly helping revive the oldest neighborhood thereof. So stop into the shop, check out the jerseys, and buy a wonderfully restored bicycle. While you're out there, check out Jordan's award winning Raleigh restoration (a beautiful bike which, unfortunately, neither Chris or I snapped a photo). Staffed by incredible people with a fun and important purpose, Corktown Cycles is the "newest bike shop in Detroit's oldest neighborhood" to help get your cranks spinning. 

(The small-but-extremely-enthusiastic-and/or-protective west highland terrier--name unknown--staunchly protecting Jordan's power drill)

Also, check out the cycling documentary by clicking here. The Corktown Cycles segment starts at 7:30.