First Stop, The Gravity Shop
I stopped by Mike Miller’s new bike shop in Tahoe City. After working for a couple different bike and sports shops in the area Mike recently decided to open his own shop. The Gravity Shop is located between the Tahoe City Golf course and Jiffy’s Pizza. I stopped by to ask him a few questions about the bike business.
Moonshine Ink: What is it like opening a bike shop in Tahoe City right now?
Mike Miller: It’s all pretty exciting. I’m not really considering the bad economy. This is what I do, this is what I’m about. I’m embracing my lifestyle. I’m here to provide personalized service and specific accessories.
MI: What is the niche of your shop among other bike shops in Tahoe City?
MM: The operations of the shop are based on my experience in the bike and snow industry for the last 15 years. The shop is rider owned and operated personally providing wrenching and equipment for the outgoing Tahoe local.
MI: What else are you planning?
MM: Throughout the summer I’ll be maintaining and custom building bikes for anyone that has from the Northstar shredder to the Burning Man cruiser. Moving into winter I will be concentrating on board sales and also providing tune ups and repairs.
MI: On top of custom building and repairs, what else is the Gravity Shop going to have?
MM: We have common and not-so common parts and accessories. You’re not going to see seat bags or training wheels here. There will be limited consignment service. There’s also going to be space for local art and photography.
MI: Is it true that you drive a $600 Subaru and ride a $6,000 intense mountain bike?
MM: Yea, I got my priorities straight.
Top to Bottom at Northstar
I also got a chance to talk with Kyle Crezee who manages the Northstar mountain bike terrain park. He told me they’ve been putting in a lot of work and shared what’s new.
Moonshine Ink: What equipment do you recommend for people coming to downhill at Northstar?
Kyle Crezee: Helmets are required. The more crash gear you wear the better. We have a full line of rental protective equipment if you are lacking any padding. Any bike will work – the more suspension the better, of course.
MI: What’s going on this year?
KC: Starting March 23 we are open seven days a week. We’ve been getting things ready since May 1 so the lower mountain is revamped and more dialed than ever. Everyone that has come up has killer feedback since we opened. We’re going to be open top to bottom by middle of June depending on weather. We are the world’s first fully irrigated mountain bike trail and terrain park. We’re going to have downhill and cross country competitions too.
MI: That’s ridiculous. Is there terrain for all ability levels? I mean if I have wobbly balance on two wheels can I still go?
KC: Oh definitely, there is something challenging and thrilling for everybody. There are fun features for everybody and there are skill development areas. Along with a two-mile long run for experts there is also a two-mile long run for intermediates as well. Everybody can progress and challenge themselves. We’ll have three lifts going, the Gondola, Tahoe Zephyr Express and Vista. Everything is super fun and well maintained. There is something for everyone here.
MI: Where can people go for more information?
KC: Check out Northstarattahoe.com and tahoemountainbiking.com has a bunch of information on well, Tahoe mountain biking.
From Moonshine Ink (http://www.moonshineink.com/archives.php/49/726)
Published: June 12, 2008
by Ethan Silin
Click on images to enlarge
Kern Barta, Truckee.
photo by Grant Barta
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