PARK CITY, Utah (BRAIN) — With a combination of nearly 500 miles of single track and an extensive network of rural paved and gravel roads, the snow sports mecca of Park City, Utah, has also become a popular cycling destination. New specialty retailer Storm Cycles, owned by four friends with a passion for riding, opened in early March to serve the growing cycling scene.
"We saw a need for a bike shop that was open year-round, and our community is excited to have a bike shop right down the street," said Todd Henneman, co-owner of Storm Cycles. "A lot of the stores in Park City are multi-sport stores and the focus to snow shifts in the winter, but we'll be a dedicated bike shop all year long."
Storm Cycles is located about seven miles from downtown Park City in the Snyderville Basin, which has ample single track in the summer and a groomed multi-use trail network in the winter. With Salsa as one of its primary brands, Henneman said he anticipates fat bike service and sales will help carry the store through the winter.
"We've watched fat bikes explode in popularity the past couple of years. The trails get packed down by skiers and snowshoers, and people have realized just how fun it is to ride singletrack in the winter," he said.
As an avid cross-country skier, Henneman plans to carry a small selection of Nordic and touring ski equipment alongside its bike inventory during the winter months to bring people into the store. He also anticipates that the coffee shop located next door will attract customers year-round. Storm Cycles partner Rob Hibl owns the coffee shop, Park City Coffee Roasters, which he opened in 1997. A door that separates the businesses will be left open to encourage people to wander between the two.
Juan Patterson and his wife, Lauri Bilawa, are also partners at Storm Cycles. Patterson manages the service department and helps out with retails sales, and Bilawa takes care of financials. Hibl will also work on the sales floor, and a full-time mechanic will come on board in early April.
According to Henneman, Storm Cycles' market is split nearly equally between road and off-road, with mountain taking a slight majority. Henneman said he also hopes to grow the gravel scene in the valley. "There are so many great gravel routes here," he said. "So I'd love to add a gravel ride to the calendar once the season gets going."
The 3,200-square-foot shop stocks bikes from Cannondale, Pivot and Salsa, as well as a full array of softgoods, accessories and tools.
