Adirondack Sports June 2024

BICYCLING cont. from 21
Grey Ghost Bicycles has two locations, Glens Falls
and Saratoga Springs, and is owned by Paul and Dan
Fronhofer, operations are run by Steven Fairchild, and
Niles Gagnon manages the Saratoga shop. From the that
core, they’re ‘More than a bike shop – a true cycling community.’
They sell a full range of bike, road, MTB, hybrid,
gravel and e-bikes in many flavors. They have a Guru fit
studio to allow cyclists to be more comfortable and happier
with the bike you are riding. The shops offer full service
repairs, and should you need to ship your bike to an event
they will pack it up and ship it to your event location. They
have a chill informal ride on Thursday evenings and MTB
rides in Daniels Road State Forest with Saratoga Mountain
Bike Association on Tuesday nights.
Just north of Amsterdam, Bike Barn Cycling & Fitness
is run by Ed Agans, serving Montgomery and Fulton counties
and many Capital-Saratoga folks – after moving from
Cohoes a few years ago. Their cool shop is close to a series
of MTB trails that allow customers to try MTBs before a
purchase. The shop, with a great inside and outside layout,
offers a wide range of road, MTB, hybrid and e-bikes. They
have a full service repair station and recently repairs ‘have
been off the charts now that the cycling season is full on.’
The shop is considering a Monday evening ride that will
use the local bike trails. Being in the vicinity of the Erie
Canalway and Empire Cycling Trail has been useful to the
increasing number of cyclists who are riding sections or
the full length between Buffalo and Albany.
The Adirondack Ultra Cycling Bike Shop is in historic
Schuylerville and was started by John Ceceri in July
2019 and has managed to continue throughout the pandemic.
John previously worked in several other bike shops
and made the decision to start his own shop to support
the cyclists who were Ultra Distance cyclists like himself
▲ ADK UNITED: SUPPORT LOCAL
BIKE SHOPS AND ENJOY POST-
RIDE GATHERINGS… RAY BROOK
BREWHOUSE. BIKE ADIRONDACKS
as well as local cyclists. The shop is near the Champlain
Canal Trail and is becoming well known to many cyclists
who choose to bike on the canal trail. He has road, gravel,
hybrid bikes and comfort bikes in stock in the Bianchi
brand and can quickly get a certain model if not in stock.
The shop carries a well-stocked set of accessories, plus
clothing, footwear, touring and all-weather gear. He also
allows you to work on your bike in the shop, offers occasional
service classes, and leads short and ultra bike rides
– learn more online.
Rick’s Bike Shop in Queensbury was purchased
in 2021 from founder Rick Chiasson by Eric and Jared
Lendrum (both of North Country Subaru). Last year,
they opened Rick’s Outpost to serve the popular Gurney
Lane MTB Park and Rush Pond trails. The main shop in
Queensbury offers a full selection of road, MTB, gravel,
hybrid, casual and e-bikes for sale. This location also is
a full service shop. The second location offers rentals,
some parts, healthy snacks/drinks, as well as repairs for
that occasional mishap while riding the area trails. They
offer a no pressure sales approach to all their products
and currently have specials on certain bikes in stock.
Evergreen Bicycle Works is in historic Fort Edward,
inside the historic train station next to the Empire State
Trail – and owned by brothers Kyle and Randy Cozzens.
The shop is also a short distance from the Champlain
Trail and the Feeder Canal trail. Fort Edward has recently
received the designation as a Trail Town by NY Parks &
Trails. They offer full service on all bikes and currently sell
a variety of drop bar, urban and kid’s bikes. Hybrid bikes
are available for rent as well. With their proximity to the
trails and touring cyclists, they offer touring accessories
and repairs to those who are on section or long-distance
tour. They offer bike rentals and a recent addition to their
JUNE 2024 23
inventory is ice cream for those sizzling summer days.
At Upstate Bicycle Works in Troy, owner Dan
Patterson offers exceptional service, knowledge, sales and
custom bike building. They will keep your bike in top condition
with fast, reliable service and they have high-quality
– and family-friendly – bike brands for all ages and skills
to meet your needs and budget. Be sure to check them out
in downtown Troy.
In Delmar, visit Mad Dog Bicycles, operated as a labor
of love by Matt Devlin for 19 years. It’s a favorite local shop
with many new bikes and service on most bikes. The shop
has a relaxed feel with no pressure to find the right style and
size, including a full-line of comfort and kids bikes – perfect
for the nearby Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail. If looking for
used, visit on “Used bike Saturdays” (weather permitting)
when Matt rolls out them for display behind the shop.
In southern Saratoga County, Johnnyk Bike Repair
is in Stillwater, owned by John Kocsis who has 25 years
of bike service experience. John is a mountain biker and
longtime Mohawk-Hudson Cycling Club member, having
led their MTB rides in the 90s and beyond. He’ll “will work
on and fix anything with two wheels” so contact him for
tune-ups, fork service, wheel building and truing, suspension
bike bearing service, and fork replacement.
For bicycle service and sales, go to Leepoff Cycles
in Keene Valley. Run by Mark Nassan, an experienced
biker and service person, plus he has a cool collection
of new and used bikes and parts for sale. Be sure to ask
Marck for tips and info on local riding opportunities,
including the Barkeater Trails Alliance community and
backcountry trails.
In Plattsburgh, at Adirondack ElliptiGO, you can take
your fitness to the next level – and be expertly guided by
owner and enthusiast Don Moore. ElliptiGO delivers a
low-impact, full-body workout that burns more calories
than a traditional bike and stand-up riding reduces stress
on your neck/back, and eliminates seat pain. These elliptical
bikes have a gentle long-stride motion that feels like
running on air and the higher riding position makes it
easier to see and be seen. Don’s shop is open for testing,
buying, renting and service.
A new entry is Meadow Brook Bicycles, located just
north of Little Falls – recently opened and owned by Jason
and Marian Fox. A plus is they already have their active
teenagers enjoying long-distance bike rides, especially
with their proximity to the Erie Canalway and Empire
State Trail that travels through historic Canalside in Little
Falls. They offer sales, repairs and parts so stop by during
business hours or call them.
Over the years, we’ve used our bikes to stay healthy,
sane, and connected to the outdoors. If you have questions,
stop by the shop in-person, visit their websites,
email them directly, see updates or shop rides on social
media, or call them – they’ll pick up the phone and are
there to help! In many ways, we have our local bike shops
to thank for our connection to the outdoors, so please
support these important community lifelines!
Skip Holmes (serottaskip@gmail.com) of Delmar
provides sustainable building training programs for the
Urban Green Council of NYC. He’s a member of Mohawk-
Hudson Cycling Club and Capital Bicycle Racing Club.
He can be found road and gravel biking, kayaking,
canoeing, hiking or Nordic skiing. He also spends quality
time with his two amazing granddaughters.