Connecticut Yankee Pedaller Inc.

Posted Apr 1, 2009
16,129

Welcome to South Central Iowa's Leading Bicycle Shop! Bikes, Trikes, and the Like"

BIKEIOWA is pleased to announce its newest 2009 sponsor – Connecticut Yankee Pedaller Inc. in Chariton. Connecticut Yankee Pedaller Inc. stocks more brands and models of Recumbent Trikes than probably any other shop in Iowa. We also have a broad selection of Recumbent Bikes and Upright Bikes to fit your need, including Trek, Raleigh, and Gary Fisher. Professional service is given to keep each model running smoothly. Located one hour South of Des Moines in the picturesque town of Chariton, we offer test rides of all models, including the Trikes. Stop by for a friendly Southern Iowa welcome, test ride a new bike or trike, and enjoy the time! We are not only a cool well-equipped bike shop, we also offer great annual and weekly rides. Chariton Classic "The best tune-up for RAGBRAI", one month before the big ride you can test your equipment and body in the rolling hills of Southern Iowa! To read about the Classic click here . Taco Tues. Come out as we do our Taco Tuesday ride. We will be riding from Chariton to Rudy's Rendezvous in Lacona. Stop there and have one of their delicious tacos. The ride is around 32 miles round trip. Come on out and have a ball as we roll along. RAGBRAI is Coming through Chariton As RAGBRAI XXXVII moves across the state, one of the overnight town will be Chariton. RAGBRAI will be staying in Chariton, Wed, July 22. If you have any questions about anything you can click here and go to the Chariton Chamber's website to have them answered. The shop will be open on Wednesday! Please stop in and have a look around! Official RAGBRAI Bike Shop The Connecticut Yankee Pedaller Inc. is one of RAGBRAI's TEN Look for us on the RAGBRAI route... History of the Connecticut Yankee Pedaller Inc. Opening in 1979, with original owner Fred Gay, the Connecticut Yankee started as the "Repairer and Purveyor of Bikes and the Like". Many people ask where the name "Connecticut Yankee Pedaller came from. Give credit or blame, whichever you prefer, to Fred. There is a part in the book A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (by Mark Twain-- also a movie starring Bing Crosby) where a Yankee from the state of Connecticut is translated back in time to England at the time of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. This Yankee began producing bicycles and even successfully convinced the Knights to use the bicycles instead of horses! Fred thought this was a quaint aspect of the book, and thus the name of the business. In late 1980, for a period of 1 year, a partnership was formed, with Fred, Dave Hendricks, Glenn Williamson, and Mike Streit all sharing in the workings of the business. In October of 1981, Dave Hendricks became sole proprietor of The Connecticut Yankee Pedaller, and the ownership has remained to date. The Shop has been in 4 different locations, all in Lucas County, Iowa. The first, under Fred and the Partnership, was located at 209 1/2 N. Main with a back alley entrance. The second (for 10 years) was in the Hendricks' garage located at 613 Woodlawn, Chariton. After a move of the Hendricks family to the country, the third location was at Route 1, Box 61, Chariton, and allowed an increase in shop size from 480 square feet to 1200. The current location at 908 Court on the Chariton square came about in November, 1998. In April, 2004, another 3000 square foot section was added as there was an expansion into the vacant Ritz Movie Theater. This allowed for display of a much larger amount of exercise equipment along with more bicycles. The Winter of 2007-2008 has seen a major remodeling of the Ritz Theater into showroom space, and we have moved out of the smaller drugstore that we started in at the 908 location. The bicycle maintenance and assembly area has been increased in size to accommodate both a greater number of bikes to be serviced as well as the increasing number of tricycles we sell and service. We now have about 4300 square feet of showroom space for bicycles, fitness equipment, clothing, accessories, parts, and service area. With the tall ceilings of the Ritz Theater, we now have a lower showroom and service area as well as an upper showroom that is ramped to accommodate all !

Connecticut Yankee Pedaller Inc.

906 Court Ave. Chariton, IA 50049 map Dave Hendricks (owner) dave@cypbikes.com 641-774-5557 or Toll Free anywhere in Iowa (800) 862-BIKE www.cypbikes.com