Wow, inspiring! That’s the secret sauce- it’s about building community and being community service oriented vs sales oriented. Hard to believe that with a sub 23min video, this interview was so amazing!
@@TimFitzwater it was a great interview. yeah, it made me think- why don’t I get a year round weekly pop-in riding thing going in my area? It’s good for the community, the bike shops, the sport, local bizness where we’d meet pre and post, etc.
"Not being a selling-oriented shop. It's a people-oriented shop." Words to live by. I'm certain the retail world would be a much better place if every business held onto this philosophy.
I love these places. Reminds me of one of the local shops nearby. Bikes. Beer. Riding. Hanging out. Somebody's chill dog zonked out on the floor. What's cool is there is a group of everyone there- Road, Gravel, MTB- and no one is watching that GCN 'stuff' 😂
My husband and I rode on a yeti ride last summer while visiting family in Ohio. I cannot stress how genuinely welcoming, encouraging and inclusive this group was to a couple of out-of-towners swinging by for a ride. We STILL talk about the ride and the unachievable bar it set for our local bike shop’s group rides. We love visiting the shop when we are in town. Can’t wait to ride with them again!
This video is why I love your channel. Real people, friendly, all inclusive. More about people and riding rather than bikes and gear. I too, really wish there was this kind of community in my area.
Otis and Kelley, owners of Dirty River Bicycle Shop, are some of the best humans around. They made a business that speaks to their values and work every week to keep the community alive and thriving. Culture work is not easy, even when it's a ride in the park. I appreciate their consistency in creating and maintaining a ride and community that is now at the core of my week. I won't shop anywhere else for bikes and everything I need to make myself happy, 365 days per year.
I agree with the first part but not the later. I like to try the bike items I like so I don’t believe it’s “easier” to buy online for some things. It’s not always any cheaper either depending on what you are buying. A lot of companies no longer sell stuff for different prices to different retailers. …bike shops have plenty of sales too.
This is very cool. It’s very easy to feel like your local bike shop is full of experts with expensive gear. The guys in my local bike shop are really nice and accommodating but it doesn’t at all feel like a community spot. I wish it did! It’s hard to meet friends as an adult in this day and age. Having that sense of community is really special. I live in a cycling Mecca but since I don’t really know anyone I usually just ride the greenway by myself. I’m sure if I could meet folks who know the routes the hobby would be so much deeper.
You know - I've met almost all of the people I ride with in my late 30s and early 40s. I do think it is hard to make friends as we get older but that is one thing I love about bicycles - it is an easy in. Ask the guys in your shop about organizing a group ride. All it takes is a flyer or a Facebook group. Even before Dirty River opened we started to form a community. A couple friends riding soon turned into a dozen. It was really as simple as posting photos of what we were up too and asking other cyclists we encountered about their bikes. When people do comment about wishing "we had a bike community like yours" I always say - we didn't either - we had to create it.
Great work Tim, even though it wasn't really work. To this day I will say buying my fat Bike from Otis is one of the best decisions that I have made in a long time. I got much more than a bike, I got a whole new family.
Sounds like a great environment there. I’ll have to get out there someday. Ever get to eastern Iowa, we have a helluva community here from racers to party pace folks
I love this guy at your bike shop. I love the people driven riding culture you’re developing. So cool. Yay for Dirty River. I need to make a pilgrimage.
I just recently found your channel and enjoy watching. I live in Cortland and my preferred LBS closed. 😢 I enjoyed watching this video and plan on doing some riding in the Akron area later this year. I read a lot of their reviews on their website and this shop will definitely be on my list of places to check out. Thanks for sharing!
Bummer to hear about the local bike shop. Definitely check out Dirty River when you are around - they are always good at giving route recommendations too!
This is great stuff, Tim! I feel that we definitely have this type of environment here in Mankato, with Nicollet Bike and Ski (local area bike shop), as well as with Key City Bikes (community/volunteer run shop). I guess I've always been a solo rider and have never jumped at the many opportunities that both regularly offer. I keep putting them on my calendar...I just need to do it.
Bike shops can be what is known as a third space. It's not your where you work and it's not your home. People from different backgrounds meet at a space to talk about a common interest, biking.
I like the mom and pop shops. The big bike brands buy a shop only carry one brand strictly MSRP. I think it's crazy you go to their shop and it cost 10-20% more than the mom and pop store.
Thankfully, I ride an ICE recumbent trike. I may the the only one one the Big Island ? I would L U V to have others to cycle w/, I like your focus on people and easy and fun. Come to me, all E. Hawaii/Hilo cyclists !
A few people have messaged me with similar comments. The thing I often say is it didn't really seem to exist here either - good people made it happen. It really can be as simple as starting a Facebook group for a ride or an Instagram account "Bike (your city's name). ...people have gotten back to me saying their rides of three are now rides of 10-20. Just got to try and start. The other thing I've found is just starting conversations when I meet other cyclists - I can be a bit shy in general but all you have to do is ask people about their bike. We all love to talk about our bikes and we have that in common already.
This is great.....been to many bike shops....most are cool af....others are....well...do you want my business or not....zero welcome....zero chat.....that sucks.....
If I could I would move to a town with more opportunities to meet like minded cyclist. It's the cruse of a small town to be limited finding such people.
Nothing worse than that. There are truly unsafe cheap bikes and it is responsible to point that out. But just because something is older or not top of the line is no reason for judgment.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 89 | คู่เอก "ยอดไอคิว vs คิริลล์"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z3vYkHJ_5Ig/mqdefault.jpg)
Wow, inspiring! That’s the secret sauce- it’s about building community and being community service oriented vs sales oriented. Hard to believe that with a sub 23min video, this interview was so amazing!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! 🥰
@@TimFitzwater it was a great interview. yeah, it made me think- why don’t I get a year round weekly pop-in riding thing going in my area? It’s good for the community, the bike shops, the sport, local bizness where we’d meet pre and post, etc.
Heck yeah! Do iiiiit!
I need an Otis in my life!
Love this. That one idea - put people first - would change the world if more people put it into practice.
"Not being a selling-oriented shop. It's a people-oriented shop."
Words to live by. I'm certain the retail world would be a much better place if every business held onto this philosophy.
Yeah - being a good person is good for any business.
Such a great conversation! We’re trying to build that community here in Louisville.
Otis has been amazing for this community. I hope it works out awesome in Louisville!
I loved this. Wish shops near me were like this. I have a few cool shops but not really community based like this.
Thanks!
Its always worth approaching them about the idea of a group ride or rides.
I would hang out at Dirty River if I were a local 💙; go Otis, go Tim haha
😍
I love these places. Reminds me of one of the local shops nearby. Bikes. Beer. Riding. Hanging out. Somebody's chill dog zonked out on the floor. What's cool is there is a group of everyone there- Road, Gravel, MTB- and no one is watching that GCN 'stuff' 😂
Exactly! Glad you have good shops like this too!
My husband and I rode on a yeti ride last summer while visiting family in Ohio. I cannot stress how genuinely welcoming, encouraging and inclusive this group was to a couple of out-of-towners swinging by for a ride. We STILL talk about the ride and the unachievable bar it set for our local bike shop’s group rides.
We love visiting the shop when we are in town. Can’t wait to ride with them again!
That is so rad to hear - thanks for sharing! Hopefully we can say "hello" on a Yeti Ride when you are back in town!
This video is why I love your channel. Real people, friendly, all inclusive. More about people and riding rather than bikes and gear. I too, really wish there was this kind of community in my area.
Thanks!
We know we are truly lucky to have a space like this!
Otis and Kelley, owners of Dirty River Bicycle Shop, are some of the best humans around. They made a business that speaks to their values and work every week to keep the community alive and thriving. Culture work is not easy, even when it's a ride in the park. I appreciate their consistency in creating and maintaining a ride and community that is now at the core of my week. I won't shop anywhere else for bikes and everything I need to make myself happy, 365 days per year.
😍😍😍
Businesses that understand their customers and feel they are there to provide, will always flourish. Humility!
100%!
Otis seems super cool. Great biking community. If we ever come to Ohio we're riding with you guys.
Heck yeah!
Great interview Tim! I’m a firm believer that the shops who will thrive in the future are the ones who engage their communities the most.
If they want to survive they will have to become more like cycling clubs and less like retail. It's cheaper and easier to buy on line.
I agree with the first part but not the later. I like to try the bike items I like so I don’t believe it’s “easier” to buy online for some things. It’s not always any cheaper either depending on what you are buying. A lot of companies no longer sell stuff for different prices to different retailers. …bike shops have plenty of sales too.
For sure - giving people a good reason to support you.
Always great to know about one more cool bike shop.
Right on!
This is very cool. It’s very easy to feel like your local bike shop is full of experts with expensive gear.
The guys in my local bike shop are really nice and accommodating but it doesn’t at all feel like a community spot. I wish it did!
It’s hard to meet friends as an adult in this day and age. Having that sense of community is really special.
I live in a cycling Mecca but since I don’t really know anyone I usually just ride the greenway by myself. I’m sure if I could meet folks who know the routes the hobby would be so much deeper.
You know - I've met almost all of the people I ride with in my late 30s and early 40s.
I do think it is hard to make friends as we get older but that is one thing I love about bicycles - it is an easy in.
Ask the guys in your shop about organizing a group ride. All it takes is a flyer or a Facebook group.
Even before Dirty River opened we started to form a community. A couple friends riding soon turned into a dozen. It was really as simple as posting photos of what we were up too and asking other cyclists we encountered about their bikes.
When people do comment about wishing "we had a bike community like yours" I always say - we didn't either - we had to create it.
Great shop and video…putting people first will always win out. Otis and the crew got me back into biking around 2017. Rad people and bikes!
They're the best - that is awesome to hear!
Great work Tim, even though it wasn't really work. To this day I will say buying my fat Bike from Otis is one of the best decisions that I have made in a long time. I got much more than a bike, I got a whole new family.
🥰
A good old hippy bike shop👍🇬🇧
😎
Best bike shop ever! Thanks for the video Tim.
It is! 🥰
Sounds like a great environment there. I’ll have to get out there someday. Ever get to eastern Iowa, we have a helluva community here from racers to party pace folks
Nice!
I love this guy at your bike shop. I love the people driven riding culture you’re developing. So cool. Yay for Dirty River. I need to make a pilgrimage.
🥰
I just recently found your channel and enjoy watching. I live in Cortland and my preferred LBS closed. 😢 I enjoyed watching this video and plan on doing some riding in the Akron area later this year. I read a lot of their reviews on their website and this shop will definitely be on my list of places to check out. Thanks for sharing!
Bummer to hear about the local bike shop.
Definitely check out Dirty River when you are around - they are always good at giving route recommendations too!
beautiful
🥰
Don't know if I'll ever be in Akron but if I do, I'll be sure stop by!
Its the best spot!
This was great thanks . Lots of great advice and ideas for a neighborhood bike group .
Glad you dug it!
If there’s a bike community similar to this in the SFV here in L.A., Ca. Leave a comment. LOVED the video and the vibe!!!
🤍🚴🏻♀️🌟👍🏻
This is great stuff, Tim! I feel that we definitely have this type of environment here in Mankato, with Nicollet Bike and Ski (local area bike shop), as well as with Key City Bikes (community/volunteer run shop). I guess I've always been a solo rider and have never jumped at the many opportunities that both regularly offer. I keep putting them on my calendar...I just need to do it.
Glad to hear you have good spots! Nothing wrong with enjoying the solo lifestyle - but good to know the option of a group is out there.
Bike shops can be what is known as a third space. It's not your where you work and it's not your home. People from different backgrounds meet at a space to talk about a common interest, biking.
For sure!
Another great video !!!
Thanks!
I like the mom and pop shops. The big bike brands buy a shop only carry one brand strictly MSRP. I think it's crazy you go to their shop and it cost 10-20% more than the mom and pop store.
I've heard this is happening but I haven't seen it around here yet....
Thankfully, I ride an ICE recumbent trike. I may the the only one one the Big Island ? I would
L U V to have others to cycle w/, I like your focus on people and easy and fun. Come to me, all E. Hawaii/Hilo cyclists !
Should be fine. 👍
I got to say, I’m jealous do the bike culture there. I have no bike friends here. I’m inspired to make it happen though.
A few people have messaged me with similar comments.
The thing I often say is it didn't really seem to exist here either - good people made it happen.
It really can be as simple as starting a Facebook group for a ride or an Instagram account "Bike (your city's name).
...people have gotten back to me saying their rides of three are now rides of 10-20.
Just got to try and start.
The other thing I've found is just starting conversations when I meet other cyclists - I can be a bit shy in general but all you have to do is ask people about their bike. We all love to talk about our bikes and we have that in common already.
Mimosas outside❤
🍹
I wish Dirty River was local to me in Central Ontario.
I wish everyone had a good shop nearby.
Does anyone know if the new bridge construction on rte 8 is going to close the freedom trail?
Yeah. But I think there supposed to be a bypass.
I haven't seen them show what the bypass will be though.
This is great.....been to many bike shops....most are cool af....others are....well...do you want my business or not....zero welcome....zero chat.....that sucks.....
Yeah - some are so unwelcoming- I hate it.
We are truly lucky to have these guys!
If I could I would move to a town with more opportunities to meet like minded cyclist. It's the cruse of a small town to be limited finding such people.
Yeah - I can see that for sure. Might be worth driving to the city for some group rides occasionally?
Bike shops matter for sure. Unfortunately in rural areas it's hard to find bike shops that fit my style of riding and culture.
Yeah - that can suck - too bad everyone doesn't have a decent shop nearby.
For sure. Back in Vermont I had a great shop but here in Western Catskills/northeast PA nada. Sawmill cycles is ok but they're more the industry shop.
There are several bike shops in my town. Most are great. Some are staffed by insufferable bike snobs.
Awesome that you have options - I feel for the people who just have the one snob shop.
The very few bike shops around here look down their nose at you because your riding an inexpensive bike. It's a real turn off.
Nothing worse than that. There are truly unsafe cheap bikes and it is responsible to point that out. But just because something is older or not top of the line is no reason for judgment.