Bear Creek Bike’s Blog

100,000 miles in 5 years!

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:09:14 -0400

Meet Steve. Steve wandered into our shop late last week as he had one time before, with a bike on a bum wheel. You ever get the feeling you are going to like some one from the moment you meet them? That was how Brent and I felt about Steve. Judging by his shirt, you can tell that Steve is a man of conviction, but he isn’t judgmental. He is very mild mannered, well spoken, and just a guy full of neat stories. As I worked on his bike Brent and I quizzed him relentlessly. What we learned was quite remarkable. Steve will be 50 soon and spent a large portion of his early 20’s and 30’s as a drug addict. In his late 30’s he experienced a wholesale change in his life that changed the way he lived forever. About 5 years ago Steve set out his journey and has ridden his bike from Dalton to California, NY, ILL, AZ, OK, CT, VA, WV, KA, PA, TN, KY, MI, NM, NC, and many others. He tends to sleep on the steps of churches, many of which he has visited before. He keeps an address book with the names of people he meets and memos about the encounters and can recall each meeting as he reads through the book. He has tales of being hassled by police and stories of incredible kindness. Steve is homeless by choice and really redefines what the term homeless means to men when he begins to tell of his experiences traveling by bike and sleeping out in the open. Right now Steve’s plan is to hang out here in Dalton a bit then maybe head out to California again. If you ever get a chance to talk to Steve do youself a favor and take a minute to say Hi. You will be glad you did.

The Best Rides

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 20:58:37 -0500

I must admit, I have had a number of opportunities to ride when I simply have chosen NOT to go. It was too cold, too hot, too wet, too dusty. Then there are days, like last Wed. when we are staring at each other, slowly getting dressed and secretly hoping someone uses some common sense and says something like, “hey, it’s snowing, maybe we should just skip out tonight” , but those words were never spoken. So here are the facts, it was a last minute ride, we were all unprepared, we all wanted to chicken out but didn’t want to be the first one to speak up. Instead, we get dressed and drive out to Pilcher’s pond and planned on riding over Horn Mtn. in the blowing snow to Snake Creek Gap. On one side of the mountain it is postcard pretty with snow floating down like the opening scene of a Hallmark movie. Shortly after crossing the ridge, I now find snow packing into my right (RED) ear because it is blowing in sideways. Descending in the blowing snow, slipping and sliding through the curves, made for a great experience. As the ride comes to a close I wished for a little more, even though I feel like I may loose digits soon. Back at the truck we all agree, sometimes, the best rides are the ones that almost don’t happen.

State of the Union

Fri, 7 Dec 2007 09:48:48 -0500

What a great time to be a cyclist in our area. When you take a step back and look at how far our scene has come in the last 10 years, even the last 5, it really drives home how far we have progressed. I am excited about what the future holds for Raisin Woods, The Snake, Raccoon Mtn, and other trail systems in our area. I remember working at Dalton Bicycle Works in the mid 90’s during the BOOM of mountain biking and I can honestly say that it is even better now. I am enjoying cycling more than I ever have with MORE trail miles than I ever dreamed of at our disposal. PLUS we have safer routes on road bikes and “Share the Road” signs, all in support of us. It is a great time to be a cyclist in our area and we are happy to be a part of the scene.

Bikes and Buds

Sat, 1 Dec 2007 09:32:30 -0500

I am not like most guys, I don’t follow football, baseball, or any spectator sport. (TdF doesn’t count) I don’t hang out with my buds at the bar or have “guys’ night out to watch a playoff game. If I am not at work or at home, I am out on my bike with my buds. When looking back on my life it becomes apparent that some of my closest relationships, and the vast majority of my friendships, have come out of my love of cycling. I can’t really describe the bond amongst cycling buddies, but if you are reading this, I probably don’t have to try really hard because you already know and understand it. Tis the season to be sappy, let your buds know how much you appreciate them by taking them out and roosting them, just to show how much you care.