Back Street Bicycle Service & Repair

12/09/2024

Wonder if I could make more selling my remaining 3 dozen bike wheels (after closing my bike shop) as “bike wheel wreaths” than as bike wheels…..hmmm.

10/05/2024

Had an awesome ride last Wednesday with my good cycling songwriting bud, Greg Beck. Did as much of the Shingobee Loop (also known as the Pyrenees by locals) as we could as parts of the trail are closed for re-construction. Greg rides a Terra-Trike recumbent (with battery assist). I rode a 14 lb. carbon fiber road bike. It was still hard keeping up with him, but I held my own....even with a slight tail wind, which served as my "battery assist." Check out Greg's awesome music and videos on YouTube.

10/05/2024

FOR SALE:
Giant brand U-Lock
Made by Kryptonite
SALE: $19.
Excellent Condition/ Like New
Retail/New: $35.
Key Lock
Length: 10.5”
Width: 4”

10/05/2024

FOR SALE:
SARIS MAG TRAINER
New Condition, still in box
SALE: $99.
Retail/New: $180.
Five adjustable resistance levels to boost workout intensity to match each pedal stroke and gear click

10/05/2024

FOR SALE:
SARIS BONES 3-BIKE CAR RACK
SALE: $124.
Retail/New: $230.
Excellent condition - like new
Fits most mountain, road, women’s & children’s bikes
Easily adjusts to fit most vehicle styles: sedans, hatch backs & minivans
Weight limit: 105 lbs
Send message to Paul

07/17/2024

Well, gosh darn, this was a really nice thing to wake up to. Larry McClain, music journalist for Two Story Melody, online music magazine, just did an interview a review of my album, "Songs Well-Traveled."

Paul Nye is a throwback to the days when artists like Dylan and the Beatles gave us albums that were exceptionally eclectic.

06/24/2024

Fabulous words from my friends at Northern Cycle. Love #31.

31 - ride a bike 😎🚲🚲

04/16/2024

For my fabulous (former) bike customers....this is what I'm up to this summer. Join in the fun June 30th. Limited seating.

10/10/2023

After 25 years in the bike business, it's final. Shop empty, tools sold. Few accessories left. PM me with more info. It's been an incredible 25 year ride and I'm feeling a little indifferent in a strange way. A bit sad to see it all end, but happy for the experience and looking forward to the next. Thanks to the many, many customers and friends who contributed to my success! Keep in touch with me. Paul

09/01/2023

On Sept. 30th, Back Street Bicycle will close after 25 years of service to the Walker-Leech Lake Area as perhaps the smallest bicycle shop in Minnesota....maybe the nation.
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, I am unable to perform any bicycle maintenance. But, the shop will be open for advice and/or consultation, plus everything in the shop (excluding bicycle tubes) is 50% off! Stock up on tires, and other bicycling accessories. But, don’t hesitate as my inventory is rapidly becoming pretty sparse.
I have immensely enjoyed meeting so many people from all walks (and rides) of life over the past 25 years. One of my biggest bike shop joys was passing on the passion for cycling that my father gave me, to my son, Taylor, who has worked and achieved some great success in the bicycle industry since he was 17.
My wife, Linda, and I plan to stay in the Walker community for the near future, and I will continue to perform music with my music partner, Jeff Menten, in ACOUSTOFIDDLE, as well as doing an occasional solo show. Hope to see y’all around town and elsewhere. Thanks for a fabulous 25 years!
Paul Nye
Back Street Bicycle Service & Repair
Walker, MN

08/22/2023

On Sept. 30th, I will be closing my bicycle shop in Walker….and retiring. Technically, this will be my 3rd retirement.
What will miss the most is the interaction with cyclists from all over the U.S…heck, the world. I’ve met some incredible people and made so many friends along the way.
My longtime friend, Tony Doughty, who used to own Lundrigan’s Clothing in Walker told me years ago before my bike shop days that having a business in Walker was like cracker-barrel retail - meaning, many businesses here don’t just sell stuff, they have great relationships with their customers, and get to know them and their families - both tourist/visitors, and locals. When the opportunity arises, they have time to chat and make small talk. I’ve never forgotten that, and in fact, I think that’s what set my shop apart from a typical bike shop. I have the opportunity and time to talk with my customers while I’m working on their bikes. For example, today (8/22/23) I had two different customers. A woman came in with her husband and needed a flat tire fixed. Turns out they’re from Cleveland, OH. He’s an attorney and she is a classically-trained violinist-turned-software developer (yeah, musicians sometimes have other jobs). Great conversation while I worked on the bike.
Then this afternoon, a gentleman came in with his grandson. He told me that 25-30 years ago, I “rescued” his son who had fallen and fractured his collarbone while cross-country skiing. I was on the National Ski Patrol at that time, and did some immediate first aid on the young man until the ambulance arrived. The gentleman’s 14-year-old twin grandsons are both classically-trained violinists. One of the boys, Leo (who stopped at the shop with his grandad), is in his 2nd year at Juilliard School in NYC. His twin brother, Roma, is presently on a concert tour performing a piece known as Bach’s Suits for Solo Cello. Evidently, the pieces take up to 3 hours to perform and Roma has memorized the entire group of six musical movements. He is the youngest musician to ever perform this piece and the only musician to have memorized it. (Please pardon my ignorance of some of this as I don’t have a classical music background. This story interests me because I am a musician, and while I don’t play classical music, I have a great respect for the “genre” - if it can be referred to as such.). Check out this video of Roma’s Journey to perform this incredible piece of music.
Anyway, I had a great conversation with Leo and his dad, Jim, this afternoon in my shop.
THIS is what I will miss the most about my bike shop. I have been in a unique position to be able to have great talks with my customers because I don’t have a retail store on Main Street in Walker, nor do I have employees. So, I recognize and understand that “cracker-barrel retail” isn’t possible with most shops.
My only regret is not keeping a journal of all the cyclists I’ve met over the last 25 years, but what a great ride it’s been!!

Roma’s Calling — Summer 2023A musical pilgrimage, celebrating the 300th Anniversary of JS Bach’s Suites for Solo Cello in honor of his hero, Cellist -Pau Cas...

07/18/2023

I am retiring from the bike business after 25 years and closing my shop in Walker, MN. I will be having a 50% off all accessories sale until the inventory is gone. Please note, the sale does not apply to specific bike parts, such as tubes, tires, shifters, brake pads, etc.
Here is a sample of what I have for sale - 50% off price marked on packages.
Sorry, items only available for in-store purchase and not online orders that must be shipped.
And, thanks for a great 25 years in Walker!