There is much that can’t be done right now during the shelter-in-place over the coronavirus, but that list does not include outdoors recreation.
That is a boon to small businesses like Fly Rides at 7444 Girard Ave. in La Jolla, which accommodates everyone from serious cyclists to families to people just looking for a leisure day of exercise.
“We’ve had to halt our bike tours due to health and safety concerns,” said Fly Rides operations manager Max Shenk. “But what we have been doing is allowing people to take advantage of discounted one-month bike rentals, dropping the cost down to $300 (equivalent to about three full-day rentals) so people can get out and ride.”
Shenk is staying positive during this unprecedented crisis.
“San Diego Fly Rides is doing our best to find the best in the situation and wants tourists and locals to know there are options for fun activities that allow for social distancing,” he said. “We are offering long-term rentals during this crisis and have extended our financing for purchases.”
Added Shenk, “We have been getting tons of thank you’s from customers expressing their gratitude for ebikes during their quarantine. Some have even said they will bike commute once their job is back open.”
“We are also starting a contest for people to post pictures of them on their ebike, and even giving away an ebike,” noted Shenk about pulling out all the stops for his clientele. “Our bike sales have gone way up proving people are still able to get out and enjoy riding while keeping a social distance.”
Shenk pointed out Fly Rides staff is taking numerous precautions to protect customers.
“We sanitize the bikes and wear gloves, do everything outside the store for the customers,” he said. “We’re a full-service center, so we’ve had a lot of customers who drop off their bikes with flat tires that we’re able to fix and get their bikes back to them.”
Shenk added Fly Rides also has tour and rental videos available for those customers who are “out of their minds and just saying, ‘Get me on a bike.’ People right now are looking for something to do,” Shenk added. “Every single one of us can ride a bike, and we all see the value of it. They’ve closed down the boardwalks and the parks, but ebikes are perfect for riding on the roads, which were once really busy but are now not nearly so.”
Fly Rides started out small in an art studio space on Prospect, before branching out and moving to Girard Avenue across from the Pannikin. That space is filled to the rafters with pedal-assisted e-bikes of every imaginable type, both rentals and for sale. The retail space also has a full-service shop for repairs in the back.
During normal times, a handful of 2 1/2-hour tours at Fly Rides highlight the beauty – and history – of La Jolla. Torrey Pines Bike & Hike escorts guests through UC San Diego. Two of the most popular tours, costing $99 and $79, respectively, are SoCal Riviera and Cali Dreaming. SoCal Riviera is a loop of coastal La Jolla with a climb up Mt. Soledad. Cali Dreaming is a downscaled version omitting the climb.
Concluded Shenk, “We’d like to thank our loyal customers for their support.” San Diego Fly Rides
Where: 7444 Girard Ave.
Info: sandiegoflyrides.com, 619-888-3878.