Derek Reynolds, owner and operator of Cycle Logical, Homer’s newest bike shop, is ready to help.
The idea came from hours working on friend’s bikes, and a dream to make a living from his passion, Reynolds said.
“I was tired of working for someone else,” Reynolds said. “I’m hoping this will become a lifestyle.”
Reynolds grew up in the upper peninsula of Michigan and went to Michigan Tech, studying chemical engineering before switching to scientific and technical communications.
Writing scientific manuals didn’t suit him, however, and he began racing bikes in Wisconsin.
“When you think of Wisconsin you don’t really think of mountain biking, but they have some really great trails,” Reynolds said.
His first few races looked promising, but then Reynolds caught the injury bug. After a few broken ribs and a busted wrist, he quit racing, but kept his passion for bikes.
He moved to Homer two years ago and started thinking about opening a bike shop here.
First, he took some refresher courses on bike maintenance, graduating this fall from the United Bicycle Institute in Ashland, Ore.
This new instruction has come in handy, since he has seen the gambit of mechanical problems on Homer’s bikes.
“Being at the end of the road, bikes tend to get pretty banged up, sit in people’s garages or out in the yard all winter,” Reynolds said. “They’re definitely neglected.”
Cycle Logical currently offers tune-ups and maintenance for bikes as well as a limited selection of parts and accessories in the shop.
Customers also can order bikes, parts and apparel from Reynolds. And by next summer, Reynolds said he is planning to expand the retail side of the business, offering bike sales and bike rentals.
“I’ve had a lot of support from friends and the community,” Reynolds said. “I’d like to see Homer become a more bike friendly place.”
For his part, Reynolds said he has been researching community bike programs in other states and hopes to start one here.
Such a program would give Homer residents a chance to enjoy area biking trails at little or no cost.
Until then, he’s working on getting his Web site — www.cyclelogicalhomer.com — up and running.
And fixing those neglected bikes which were forgotten over the winter.
Ben Stuart can be reached at ben.stuart@homer news.com.
Reynolds, a lifelong bike rider and former racer, opened the shop — located in East Village next to Kachemak Gear Shed — in March.
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