reliving their youth, a year-old shop called Simpler Times Vintage Bicycle Gallery has become a twilight zone of bicycles of every age and model. And Janis and Tate, entrepreneurs deep into Plan B, marvel to witness the role a bicycle plays in growing up and growing old.

"What was five bikes last July is now 500," Janis observed as he walked through his inventory, which stretches past the gallery space and into the recesses of an old food terminal. "College kids buying a 10-speed make up about 20 percent of my business. The rest of it is people reliving a childhood."

Often, it's the child leading the parent down memory lane.

On a recent afternoon, Ellen Ivory of Euclid walked into the gallery trailing her son, Robert. The 28-year-old was seekinga new bike in time for that night's Critical Mass, a monthly muster of Cleveland cycling enthusiasts. He had heard of Simpler Times through Facebook friends.

Robert Ivory found what he wanted, a refurbished Schwinn 10-speed for $125.

"That's all Chicago-made steel," Janis said to mother and son, but Ellen Ivory was staring off into another era.

There, in a row of bikes against the wall, stood a pink and white art deco gem with balloon whitewall tires.

Ellen Ivory's hand went to her chest as she exhaled deeply.

"Oh, I love it!" she exclaimed. "Can I have a basket?"

Indeed.

While the 1952 Schwinn predates her childhood, it reminds her, she explained, of why she has been meaning to get back on a bicycle.

"Even now, when I see kids on bikes, I see just