Ready to Ride?

Ready to Ride?

By Anita L. Sherman

Owner Bob Leftwich is very much at home at The Bike Stop in Warrenton.

Photo by Anita L. Sherman

A long-ago knee injury had Bob Leftwich looking for a way to heal and keep active. Getting up on a bike did the trick and paved the way for his 35-year plus partnership with all things that pedal.

The Bike Stop opened in 1984. For the past five years, its home has been on Main Street in Warrenton and for Leftwich a perfect location.

“We certainly enjoy the foot traffic,” said Leftwich whose store not only carries a myriad of bikes but loads of apparel and accessories for the casual or avid cyclist.

The environment has changed the landscape of his business as well. Not only are more people wanting to get out but they want to try new ways to ride.

“The dynamics of the town has changed,” said Leftwich, “the town has embraced biking.”

Leftwich is delighted with the town’s ambiance, the outdoor dining opportunities and accessibility of bike racks.

“We had a couple who bought bikes and then ride into Warrenton and have lunch…it’s nice.”

“We never did shut down,” said Leftwich of the impact of the pandemic to his business. In fact, for The Bike Stop, business remains brisk.

“There was a big explosion of folks wanting to get outside,” said Leftwich, “and biking is a great way to get exercise for the whole family while remaining distant…we saw a lot of people coming in.”

“They sell themselves,” smiled Leftwich referring to a major game changer in the biking world – electric bikes or E-bikes for short.

Sophisticated engineering and technology have created a new breed of bike that can literally take you to new heights with their pedal assisted power.

“The E-bike takes away the struggle,” smiles Leftwich, “if you’re on an E-bike you can easily make the hill with no problem.” With an E-bike, a motor assists your pedaling giving you the feeling of super legs.

Leftwich’s passion and knowledge of bikes has taken him away from his shop on occasions. For 10 years he was an official bicycle technician for Iron Man North America.

“It was seasonal and I could make it with the shop…I’ve been just about

everywhere…Brazil, Australia…working those races,” said Leftwich, “but at some point, you age out of it…how many races can you follow around…still, what an adventure!

After IronMan, Leftwich spent several years with Bikes for the World, a nonprofit committed to changing lives by providing bicycles to offer more than a ride to school or work but empowerment for individuals and communities around the world.

“We’d collect and repair bicycles and they’d be loaded…500 in a container… bound for countries like the Philippines,” Leftwich said, “very satisfying to be a part of that.”

Being on a bike and encouraging others to do the same is, for Leftwich, his profession and his philosophy. “You’re staying healthy, enjoying the outdoors, appreciating your surroundings…how many more adventures are there?”

The Bike Stop

19 Main Street, Warrenton, VA 20186, www.rideva.com, 540-341-7702 R

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