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Antique of the week brought to you by the amazing

Antique of the week brought to you by the amazing @jessebillypilgrim !

This week's antique is a really cool old pair of ski poles from the 1940's that are equipped with a "B.D. Grip." The poles themselves are made of aluminum and leather and are in surprisingly nice shape. They have nice large powder baskets for backcountry touring and come to an alarmingly sharp point on the pointy end.

The most interesting part of these poles is The B.D. Grip, which is clamped to the shaft of the pole up near the handle. It was made in Seattle, Washington by the company A&T. This Grip is a device made to grip a rope tow, so you don't have to grab the rope yourself. Rope tows are a cost effective and simple way to get lots of people to the top of the mountain, but generally result in your jacket and gloves being ripped up. Spruce Mountain in Jay, Maine still operates as a tow rope only mountain and requires leather work gloves.

This B.D. Grip has a patent number on it which makes it super easy to look up on the internet. I'm going to quote some slightly edited copy from the patent because it is way better than anything I could ever write.

"The invention, in general, relates to means for facilitating the safe conveyance of skiers from the bottom to the top of a hill. In recent years a number of ski tow devices of various types have been made available to skiers as aids in reaching the summit of a hill.

A majority of these devices perform their intended purpose reasonably well, but many of them are inherently dangerous to a skier because no effective means are provided therein for enabling a skier to quickly release himself from the rope and as a result, a skier is often thrown and dragged considerable distances and is subject to becoming entangled in the rope tow driving apparatus at the top of the hill."

The patent was filed by Robert E. Dye of Oakland California in 1941 and has a pretty awesome drawing of how it was to be used included in it. I don't know if local tow ropes still allow devices like the B.D. Grip, but we have one here at the PGH Garage if you are looking to save your Kinko Gloves and Carhartt jacket from getting too messed up.

The Holidays are near! Come stop by and see our bi

The Holidays are near! Come stop by and see our bikepacking bags from @ovejanegrabikepacking They make great gifts for the biker in your life!

Open tomorrow for Small Business Saturday, 10am –

Open tomorrow for Small Business Saturday, 10am - 4pm with 15% OFF used bike parts and As-Is bikes. ♻️ Shop used and shop local!!
We’ve been adding more and more organized used bike parts to the retail space for your digging pleasure, like this new milk-crate shelving unit built by Jesse this week!

FYI - we’re closed today (Friday).

Antique of the Week freshly pine tarred by @jesseb

Check it out this weekend ! Les Sages Fous: TRICYC

Check it out this weekend ! Les Sages Fous: TRICYCKLE presented by @mayostreetarts at @mainestudioworks

Come experience the bewitching spectacle of Les Sages Fous’ TRICYCKLE!

Performed wordlessly through a musical score composed of invented instruments, an assortment of inscrutable objects, and precise, captivating puppetry, TRICYCKLE shares the journey of a scrapman’s quest for freedom from his dark past. Guided by a curious bike, his life unfolds in surreal illusions and surprising encounters.

TRICYCKLE is presented by @mayostreetarts, and made possible through sponsorship by @mainestudioworks, @cyclemaniaportland, and @thefrancismaine, and support from @quebecboston and @nefa_arts.

This experience materializes at Maine Studio Works on Saturday, Nov 18 at 7:00 PM & Sunday, Nov 19 at 5:00 PM! Get tickets now at MayoStreetArts.org (@mayostreetarts link in bio!)

This is what a full lot looks like to us: kids and

This is what a full lot looks like to us: kids and families choosing bikes and safely test riding at Kids Bike Parties!! 🎈 🚲

Our Here to Stay campaign is underway. Please join us in our fundraiser to purchase our building and lot by next year. Donate link in bio!!

Antique of the Week from the co-parent of celebrit

We’ve got 2 refurbished fat bikes in the shop to

We’ve got 2 refurbished fat bikes in the shop today! We don’t get many used fat bike donations, so we’re happy to have these available and at a great deal too.

Framed Wolftrax - 17in - $555 rebuilt with a Box Four groupset and Maxxis tires

Snap-On - 16in - $485 - excellent entry level bike to get into the fun of fat biking!

#gearhubbike #shopusedshoplocal

Feeling excited for the ski’son ahead ⛷️

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The Portland Gear Hub
155 Washington Ave.
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 761-7632

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336 Black Point Rd
Scarborough, ME 04074
(207) 883-8977

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