40 Years Strong

Mill Race Cyclery evolves across decades in Geneva

For 40 years, Mill Race Cyclery in Geneva has been owned and operated by Bruce Heidlauf, a man who started his decadeslong career in high school with Bruce’s Bike Repair.

“I basically repaired bikes out of my mom and dad’s garage in St. Charles,” says Heidlauf. “I did that from 17 all the way through college. My junior year in college is when I started Mill Race Cyclery. I started at the Mill Race Inn and set it up as a rental shop for them, then I bought out their portion six months later.”

As the business evolved, so did the cyclery’s space. “The first building was where the current parking lot is now,” says Heidlauf. “They were just starting the bike trail at that time between Geneva and St. Charles. Then they went down to Batavia, but the trail was in its infancy. The shop was an immediate success, and everybody seemed excited, so I knew that’s where I wanted to be.”

When Heidlauf was building his existing shop, he focused on creating enough space for the growth of his bicycle business. “I quickly outgrew the small building I started in and I had an opportunity to expand and build my current building about 28-29 years ago,” says Heidlauf. “The design looks like it’s been there a long time and it is bigger than it looks.

The bike shop is laid out in such a way that we have tall enough ceilings to hang bicycles from them in order to use our space efficiently. We also included an ice cream shop for cyclists on the path to easily stop for a treat.”

From the start, Mill Race Cyclery has been a popular source for bike rentals, and they have expanded their rental stock to kayaks, canoes and electric bikes. The shop proudly boasts that they have grown to offer the largest selection of electric bikes in the Chicagoland area. Inside the shop, you not only find an expert staff of bike mechanics, but also a café serving espresso drinks, smoothies, ice cream treats and sandwiches. For the past four decades, Heidlauf has built a successful business and an even more meaningful, successful relationship with the Geneva community. Heidlauf often acts as the lead rider for Geneva running races, hosts weekly group rides from the shop that are open invite to the community, and is an active member of the Geneva Chamber board. Heidlauf is passionate about fostering active lifestyles in his community.

“We’re trying to fit people with the right kind of bicycles so they can be healthy and enjoy themselves and the outside,” Heidlauf says. “It’s been a really fun part of the business. We do our best to service the community when it comes to bicycles and that’s been really rewarding.” n MILL RACE CYCERLY

For their upcoming anniversary, the bike shop will have a celebration on July 15 to mark the momentous occasion.

11 E. State St., Geneva 630-232-2833 | www.millrace.com