Hello Velo
After a year or so of travelling around Ontario to fit and performance test top triathletes and competitive cyclists, Paul Parker (owner and visionary of hello velo) decided to open up shop on Toronto’s East end and let his customers come to him instead.
Proof is in the numbers
Paul has been trained by two professional “fit and performance specialists” in Montreal and LA, and so his shop offers a “consensus based fit”, which uses the “most advance technology and fitting principles”. The shop is Slowtwitch Certified and uses Juteau-Cantin and Exit-Cycling Fitting Tools.
What does this mean?
“It’s a fit testing that goes beyond just “eye-balling” your size, we look at a position that works with your training and ultimately is one that the computer says is the most effective and efficient.”
Paul knows from experience as a triathlete that the services he offers to cyclists are incredibly important and nearly non-existent in Toronto or Ontario for that matter. Finding another bike shop in TO that does what he does is next to impossible.
Who are his services for?
ANYONE. You don’t have to be a serious athlete to know that bike fit is essential for your body (comfort and performance). And if you are a more serious cyclist, his services will improve your position on the bike, understand and enhance your power output, and maximize your overall performance.
So what exactly does he do? Paul, of course, “geeked out” about the technical details of his fit and performance training services, which involves computer and data outputs… scary, but accurate stuff. I advise you check out his website, www.hellovelo.ca or just walk into his shop for all the details of his services.
Hello Velo Community
Paul is a bike shop owner that rides (a lot), another reason why he opened his shop. He created a cycling community called the “Flyers” and started an elite men’s racing team that’s sponsored by Dark Horse Espresso (remember Edgars from the crit? That’s Hello Velo’s team!)
The “Flyers cycling club” offers lots of rides during the week, on weekends and encourages road cyclists of all levels to come out. Unlike other cycling clubs out there, those that go faster and are more experienced than the rest are encouraged to do their training intervals or “hammerfest” on a different ride. These rides are meant to keep a steady pace and teach/improve cycling skills.
AND there’s more…
In terms of products and brands Hello Velo carries Jamis Bicycles and stands behind the brand as one of the best in road cycling. Paul did say however that Hello Velo will start selling another awesome brand of road bike in the very near future (the shippment of the awesome, but still secret brand of bikes will be in this week).
The shop also offers bike repair workshops and courses. And the shop held a “women’s cycling night” last month, that consisted of a discussion and practice with experts, training for endurance events, 45 minute yoga class for cyclists, and a meet and greet with Ironman champ Claudia Johnston. Good stuff!
Overall
Located at 260 Carlaw Ave (down the alley in the old factory on the west side) Hello Velo is less about bike retail and WAY more about the speciality bike services it provides and the community of cyclists it supports. Paul has a plethora of knowledge and tools to help you get out on the road, performing at your best and “riding beautifully”.
260 Carlaw Ave
Tuesday – Saturday 12-8pm
416-850-8935
Rocket Girl 2009