Shopcast

  1. Bike Mom Friends — a new Perennial Cycle ride series for moms

    Bike Mom Friends — a new Perennial Cycle ride series for moms

    Enjoy a kid-free ride with us!

    New this summer from Perennial Cycle: Bike Mom Friends, a kid-free ride series for moms who bike. If you love biking with your kids and sometimes miss biking without them, this ride is for you!

    Join us once a month for evening rides with fellow bike moms. We’ll ride 5+ miles together and end at a place to eat/drink/chat. All stops will include gluten free options.

    All abilities welcome. This is a no-drop ride. That means we’ll stick together as a group and ride at a chill, social pace.

    OPEN TO MOMS OF ALL FLAVORS: Trans/femme/non-binary/women

    DATES: Tues. June 30, Tues. July 14, Mon. Aug. 3

    FIND US: Perennial Cycle, 3342 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408

    MEET: Behind the shop at closing time (7pm). Roll-out at 7:15pm.

    DESTINATION: Our June ride is headed to Centro on Eat Street in Minneapolis. If a small group needs/wants to return to Perennial Cycle before heading home, our ride leaders will head back with the group.

    WHAT TO BRING: Water, lights and a lock! As a bonus: a tube that matches the tire size of your bike in case of a flat on the road.

  2. Ride Bikes. Eat Pastries. Every. Saturday. In April.

    Ride Bikes. Eat Pastries. Every. Saturday. In April.

    Perennial Cycle has been supporting #30daysofbiking for over 10 years by having Pastry Rides every Saturday in April. In 2026 we continue this fun series.


    Pastry Rides are free and start in the back of the shop (3342 Hennepin Ave) with a 9am meetup/registration and 9:30 rollout.


    • Rides are typically 4–8 miles and the pace is conversational (also known as "pastry" pace).
    All Pastry Rides are family friendly. Nine year olds are going to be able to ride along at our distance and speed just fine. If your child is younger than 9 and wants to ride their own bike use your best judgment.
    • There is often a raffle at the destination.

    What to expect:
    • 9:00–9:30 we gather in the parking lot behind the shop
    • There is ride registration under the green Perennial Cycle tent
    • When you register you will also add your name to the raffle
    • At the destination we will have pastries and coffee/tea/cocoa together. Let us know if you have dietary restrictions, we typically have alternatives.
    • If there’s a raffle, it will happen after pastries are served.
    • Other activities could include face painting, live music or storytelling.
    • There is always a group ride back to the shop, though typically this is a much smaller group as people go off in their own directions from the ride destination.
    When you join a Pastry Ride you are consenting to photographs being taken that may include you. Let us know when you register if you prefer not to be photographed and we’ll do our best to minimize the use of your picture.
    These rides are more about community and fun than about miles on the bike. There’s no need for a kit, and clipless pedals can be challenging on a pastry paced group ride as there may be many stops/starts.

  3. The Great Cargo Bike Webinar

    Cargo bike webinar: with 4 cargo bike visionaries. Sunday, Feb. 04, 2024.

    Edit: watch the recorded event on YouTube.
    Past cargo bike webinar recordings are also available!

    Perennial Cycle of Minneapolis, Kindred Cycles of Pittsburgh, Clever Cycles of Portland, and J. C. Lind Bike Co. of Chicago are presenting a free cargo bike webinar on February 4. 

    The goal is to empower you with enough information so you can make the best choice for your upcoming purchase. The presenters, who are avid riders and have been taking care of cargo bike users for many years, will share their experiences to help you along the way.

    SO, if you're considering buying a cargo bike in 2024, take advantage of this excellent opportunity to learn from experts. We are bringing our knowledge to you, as we understand that many people are not fortunate enough to have shops like these in their neighborhood. We expect attendees from various locations, and will be thrilled to have people join our Zoom from anywhere.

    About the presenters

    Luke Breen — Minneapolis, MN

    Luke has been the owner and operator of Perennial Cycle, previously known as Calhoun Cycle, for over 30 years. Throughout his career, he has consistently shown his love and dedication for utility and cargo bikes. For many years, he eagerly waited for cargo bikes to become more popular among customers.

    Today, Perennial Cycle is the go-to place for cargo bike enthusiasts in Minnesota. The shop also organizes a variety of community-oriented group rides and events. Rides organized in 2023 include the Queer History Ride, the famous Pastry Rides in April, several Family Fun Rides, and DJ Dance Rides.

    Eva Frazier — Portland, OR

    Eva has been the co-owner of Clever Cycles since 2014. She has been a part of the retail bike industry for 17 years and is passionate about solving problems, working with numbers, and interacting with people. Eva is originally from New York's Hudson Valley but moved west for college and fell in love with the community. She is currently a member of the executive board of BikeLoudPDX and co-hosts the BikePortland podcast.

    Clever Cycles is Portland's largest and first-ever bike shop that focuses entirely on bicycles as primary transportation. The shop mainly caters to urban households that want to reduce their dependence on cars.

    Jon Lind — Chicago, IL

    J.C. Lind Bike Co. has been selling European city and cargo bikes in Chicago for the past 16 years. The owner, Jon Lind, believes that bikes are more than just modes of transportation; they are lifestyle vehicles that have the power to enhance their owners' lives. Jon's passion for biking began during his time living in the Netherlands, known for its cycling-friendly culture. Furthermore, Jon's interest in transportation biking runs deep, as he remembers his mother riding her bike to work every day, even in the snow, when he was a boy.

    Aiming to help customers lead car-light urban lives, J.C. Lind Bike Co. provides practical and dependable bikes.

    Katharine Jordan — Pittsburgh, PA

    The 10th anniversary of Kindred Cycles is coming soon! Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Katharine developed a passion for cycling while residing in Boston and has been repairing bikes ever since. Kindred Cycles has become a reality of their dream — a place where cyclists using bikes for both transportation and pleasure can receive exceptional service and benefit from the vast commuting experience and knowledge available.

    Undoubtedly, electric cargo bikes have proven to be a valuable asset to individuals and families seeking to replace their cars and embrace a bike-centric lifestyle. Kindred Cycles supports a diverse and expanding community of riders united in their determination!

    Tickets on Eventbrite
  4. 2023 Guide: Holiday Gifts for Cyclists

    Best Gifts for Cyclists

    A holiday-themed header showing a cargo bike pulling a trailer full of gifts.
    Santa's sleigh looks different this year.

    Congratulations on making it to the end of the year!

    If you're struggling to find the perfect gift for the biker in your life, don't worry, we've got you covered. Perennial has been helping people like you find the best gifts to celebrate the holidays since 1992, and we're excited to share our annual holiday gift guide with you once again.

    Plus, if you spend over $100, your order ships for free, and we also offer extended returns during the holiday season for your peace of mind. Take advantage of our special discount code 5off25 at checkout and save $5 on orders of $25 or more. 

    Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect from our gift guide:

    Before we get too personal, this first category holds some tried and true ideas you can't go wrong with.

    Small gifts for cyclists under $25

    Adjustable size bottle cage

    An example of the various sizes of bottles the Arundel Looney Bin bottle cage can accommodate.
    Fits bottles 65-95 mm.

    The Arundel Looney Bin dials to fit anything from a vending machine water bottle to a Nalgene, Hydroflask, or even a bottle of wine.

    SockGuy wool socks

    Various socks pinned to a clothesline outdoors.
    A popular gift for a reason.

    Year-round performance socks that are shrink resistant and itch-free. SockGuy socks, made of a TurboWool blend base, are 5x stronger than merino wool alone. Socks make foolproof gifts for cyclists (or people) who have feet…

    Perennial logo water bottle

    Bicycle water bottles lined up.
    Flowering Midwestern perennial plants and our signature green color.

    Purist Insulated water bottles feature a Chromatek insulating liner. Chromatek acts as a barrier to keep water cold and also slow it from freezing (hello Minnesota!).

    As long as your gift budget complies, here are some recommendations on

    Gifts for cyclists under $100

    Gofluo Darkchamp reflective vest

    Two smiling people face each other wearing rainbow safety vests.
    Reflective safety vest, perfect for a daily commute.

    The Darkchamp features a longer back, two-way zip, and perforated fabric that minimizes sweating. There is a pocket in the side hem for your phone, keys, or cash for a quick pit stop at the bakery. 😉

    Also, Gofluo made a matching model named the Julian for those who want to twin with their kids!

    Classic water bottle cage

    Two bottle cages on a bicycle made by King Cage, with “Made in the USA” overlaid.
    Handmade in Durango, Colorado

    Ron Andrews founded King Cage in 1991 while working at One Off titanium. When a customer asked Ron for a titanium bottle cage, he gave it a go, and has been making them since. Then, in 1996,
    the stainless steel cage came to life. These cages are as aesthetically pleasing as they are sturdy.

    Arkel waterproof handlebar bag

    Two images of bicycle handlebars showing the front and back of the Arkel handlebar bag.
    Arkel's handcrafted bags are built to last tens of thousands of miles. 

    A light, simple bag that quickly mounts onto handlebars with velcro loops. The Arkel Signature BB is big enough to carry essentials, yet not too heavy. The included shoulder strap makes it easy to carry around at the destination.

    This brand makes quality gifts for cyclists with discerning style. Furthermore, the brand is dedicated to community empowerment, evidenced by the lively crew from CRDITED Estrie – a social service program for folks with Intellectual Disabilities and Pervasive Development Disorders. They’ve worked at Arkel’s Quebec headquarters since 2003.

    Another few ideas to consider for the young ones:

    Fun gifts for kids

    Baby Nutty Helmet with MIPS

    Children's helmet with cow print named Baby Nutty Moove Over.
    Baby Nutty helmets fit heads 48 to 52 cm.

    Even though the tots expect toys for Christmas, their parents will thank you for such a practical gift.

    Nutcase's Baby Nutty line is for the smallest of passengers, featuring a lighter weight for littler heads and extra sets of pads to grow with them. Little ones will be even safer with MIPS, protecting against more types of falls.

    MSW Kitty horn

    Child standing next to bicycle with hand on the kitty shaped horn.
    Choose between a kitty, narwhal, koala, or cactus, or panda.

    For one thing, kids love to make some noise. Once in a while, you should give them something that drives their parents up the wall, like this handlebar horn.

    Approximately 3" wide and fits standard 22-26 mm diameter handlebars. These are cute gifts for cyclists who are getting started on their first bikes.

    Gofluo Julian reflective vest

    Full body shot of child modeling rainbow safety vest.
    The child-sized version of the Darkchamp vest.

    Perfect for the bus stops and early morning rides or walks to school. The Julian vest is water-repellent and features a longer back, two-way zip, and perforated fabric to minimize sweating.

    Coupled with Gofluo’s original, adult model Darkchamp, your recipient will be proud to twin with their mini.

    'Tis the season to be freezing, so upcoming are tips on

    Warm gifts for cold weather riders

    Wolftooth handlebar pogies

    Handlebar pogies on a bicycle's handlebars.
    Foldable cuff for three distinct warmth settings and easy hand access

    Wolf Tooth Pogies provide warmth and comfort while riding in cold temperatures. They attach to mountain bike handlebar ends and cover brakes and shifters, shielding hands from wind, rain, and snow.

    Rainlegs Arctic cycling chaps

    A person riding a bike while modeling Rainlegs reflective chaps.
    Rainlegs help you gain both mobility and visibility while riding.

    No more 'wet bag' feeling while you protect yourself from wind, rain, and snow. The winter variety of the classic Rainlegs, the Arctic chaps have an extra insulating layer to keep your legs comfortably warm, while the tops are a durable and highly reflective material.

    Great gifts for cyclists who commute to work and don't have time to spend changing their clothes.

    Fat tire bike / cargo bike floor pump (up to 80 psi)

    Mike Plumpatire fat tire floor pump by Rivendell.
    Low effort: A high volume floor pump for tires 38 mm +

    By comparison to standard floor pumps, users of the Plumpatire find this much easier. Rivendell designed this to address the recent shift to fatter road tires, as most floor pumps deliver high pressure for narrow road tires.

    The Mike Plumpatire floor pump has an alloy body with a durable wooden handle.

    Following are some niche gift ideas for a niche bike like a Brompton:

    Nifty gifts for Brompton riders

    Borough Tote bag with DISRUPT print

    Tote bag with camouflage print in orange, red, black, and navy blue.
    Fits on the front carrier block when riding.

    This large capacity Brompton DISRUPT bag with a special edition camouflage print packs in 20L of space with an internal padded 15” laptop pocket. The zipped Borough Tote fits on the front of a Brompton when riding and works as a regular tote off the bike.

    Brompton Toolkit

    Folded pink Brompton bike, showing person pulling toolkit out of its place within the frame.
    The toolkit is designed to fit discretely within the frame.

    Being that the toolkit was sold out (with a waitlist) at Perennial for most of this year, this tool is worth it!

    Indeed, the Brompton Bike Repair Toolkit contains everything you need to fix a puncture and make adjustments to your bike. It fits nicely inside the main frame tube, locking into place with a no-rattle rubber bumper. Silent and invisible security to keep rolling into work on time.

    EZ hinge clamp spring

    Various colors of the EZ clamp spring on a gray background.
    The 3D printed EZ Clamp Spring simplifies Brompton folding.

    Emphatically, a must-have for Brompton owners. These gadgets make fantastic gifts for cyclists who value useful accessories.

    The EZ Clamp Spring enhances the fastening and unfastening process by automatically aligning the clamp plate. This also helps to prevent vibration unfastening during transit and more, without any modification to original Brompton parts.

    You can watch a 15-second video to see it in action. The EZ Clamp Spring is compatible with any Brompton Hinge Clamp post-2004.

    Last but not least,

    Some gifts for cyclists you really, really love 😉

    How about a gift card to Perennial Cycle?

    A hand holding Perennial Cycle gift card.
    Online & in-store gift cards are available separately.

    All things considered, arguably the best gift for cyclists who have everything!

    An online gift card so your Secret Santa giftee can pick out some new tires, lights, or a new bag. We’ll send you and the recipient a confirmation email with your gift message and a unique code.

    Or, an in store gift card to possibly use towards an annual tune up. Available for pickup, or mailed for no additional charge. Each card comes with a small envelope with space to hand-write the recipient and sender’s names, as well as the total value.

    Consider a dynamo lighting setup for a favorite bike

    A person riding an orange bike outdoors with a headlight shining.
    Dynamo lighting is EVERYTHING for dark winter rides!

    Before we get a dynamo installation project rolling, please get in touch with us for a quick consultation. Our shop experts will take your bike and budget into consideration to make you a custom quote.

    So, everyone has their eye on the Tern HSD Gen 2 electric cargo bike

    Mother smiling at child riding on the back of her bicycle.
    Surprise your family with a sweet new bike.

    In brief, this bike is the best. May we convince you of the many Reasons to Buy a Tern HSD Gen 2?

    Conclusion

    This wraps up our 2023 holiday gift guide. Who’s on your list?

    As always, your order or gifts for bike lovers over $100 ship for free, and we offer extended returns during the holidays. Don't forget, place an order today and take $5 off $25 or more with the discount code 5off25 at checkout.

    See you next year!