Land, bikes, and conservation: one bike shop continues the cycle
You’ve probably heard: there’s a bike boom. New and seasoned cyclists alike are returning to the sport’s pastoral roots. According to one life-long mountain biker and new bike shop owner, bikes connect us to the landscape unlike any other sport. I spent a morning with him to learn how land and bikes have shaped his life.
George Merrill opened Hitchhiker Bikes in Stowe, VT in April 2021. His shop specializes in gravel and mountain bikes and all bike repairs.
George Merrill grew up on his family’s small farm on the westerly slope of Elmore Mountain in Morrisville, Vermont. He spent his summers riding up and down the driveway and building jumps and trails in the woods. These early days of makeshift ramps on the farm put George on a path to opening his own business.
This April George opened Hitchhiker Bikes in Stowe, specializing in mountain and gravel bikes. The one-room shop is thoughtfully set up, George’s handiwork is evident in the custom racks and check out counter that cordon off his workspace. As he clamps my bike into the stand and begins to investigate, he explains that owning a shop wasn’t a lifelong dream, “But it’s what I love and I decided to go for it.”
George learned bike repair asking questions at the elbows of local mechanics. He brings that sense of community to Hitchhiker Bikes. “A lot of people are intimidated by bike maintenance,” he tells me. “I urge home mechanics to ask questions and get to know their bike.” Touching the components, listening for loose parts, and just learning to sense when something’s not right, prepares us when we’re out on the road or the trail. “Some people have a real connection to their bike,” he continues as he adjusts my bent derailer hanger. “I’ve had customers invest more work in an old bike they love than the bike itself is worth. They could buy a new one, but to them the old bike is special. So they upgrade components and continue to love it.”
“Bikes definitely help to connect me to the landscape. I like to joke that everything looks better from the seat of a bike. ”
It’s not just the connection to the bike that makes the sport special, but the connection that the rider has to the landscape. “A lot of folks who live and ride here are landowners who allow trails to pass through their property,” he says. “Most people know that the natural beauty around here needs to be fostered, preserved, and protected so they are willing to contribute in one way or another, even if it's just an annual membership to a trail organization.”
George became a steward of the land and a bike enthusiast at a young age, but he sees the same excitement on the faces of his customers who came into it a lot later in life than he did. It seems that no matter when someone decides to take up the sport, that connection between the person, the bike, and the land is right there, ready to grow.
George does his part to make sure others have access to the sport. “Hitchhiker Bikes sponsors the Vermont Mountain Bike Association and the Stowe Trails Partnership. Both organizations work hard to maintain existing trails and expand the natural spaces that are open to the public and help kids and new riders get into it. Anyone who has ridden for a few years understands the importance of trail access and pristine views that we are lucky to enjoy here in Vermont.”
I return to Hitchhiker Bikes a couple days later to pick up my newly-tuned ride. George is assembling a new 20” neon green kid’s bike. He tells me, “It’s great to see parents getting their kids into it, getting them outside riding.” I notice that the lucky kid getting this bike is even younger than George was when he built his first jump on the farm, and I wonder where this new outdoor adventure will end up. ∎
Wisdom from a bike mechanic
Q: What are three things that every bike owner should know about their bike?
A: Learn to fix a flat. A flat tire is one of the few things that can completely strand you somewhere. Walking out of a mountain bike trail network is one thing, but being 20 miles from your house on a gravel or road bike ride is a completely different story.
Cleaning your bike is important because it helps to prolong the life of all the components on it and helps to find any issues you may not have noticed while riding. Dirty chains and cassettes will shift poorly and wear out faster, brake pads with road grime on them will squeak and stop poorly, and parts that are always wet and dirty can seize up.
Learn how to listen for creaks and check for loose parts. These are all things that do not require any tools at all.
Q: What tools should every bike owner have?
A: As a bare minimum, I always ride with a spare tube, a tire lever, a pump, and a small multi tool. These are all things that I keep strapped to my bike, so I don't need to worry about a bag or pack. I have a tool made by OneUp components that can be installed on most bikes and stores in the top of the fork, my tube and tire lever are strapped to the frame with a ski strap, and I have a pump holder that bolts on next to my water bottle cage. I bring more on longer rides, but I really like this set up because all I have to do is grab my bike and go when I want to ride.
Q: Do you have any tips on upgrading?
A: Buying a new bike generally guarantees that you won't have any issues or major maintenance for a year or so, which is one of the biggest reasons to buy a new bike. You also get a factory warranty and good support from the shop where it was purchased.
That being said, used bikes can be a good way to get more for your money. Lots of people will upgrade their components over time, so take a look at some used bikes first to see if you can find a bike that has high end components for less than the cost of a lesser new bike. The person's budget is usually the biggest factor in deciding to upgrade the whole bike or individual components.
Q: Do you have any tips on finding a great bike mechanic?
A: Transparency was always really important to me. Take a look at the shop’s website to see what you can learn about their prices and services. I always tried to choose a shop that could tell me what their prices were up front and how long the wait would be. Since it was important to me as a bike owner, I made sure to include that information on the Hitchhiker website.
If you can find pricing information and it fits with your budget, give them a call. See if they’re open to answering your questions, and if they fit you needs.