Tweetsie Trail outpost taking shape as Local Motion opens for business

This story was originally published in the Johnson City News and Neighbor Dec. 19, 2018.

At long last, those who frequent the Tweetsie Trail have an outpost to serve their needs at the beginning or the end of their respective journeys.

Local Motion Cyclery, a bike shop with a bit of European Trail Café ambiance, has opened its doors at 701 East Maple Street, just steps away from the Johnson City entrance to the 10-mile Tweetsie Trail. The outpost is an example of public-private cooperation as much-needed public restrooms are being added to a bike shop that aims to serve the needs of anyone who uses the trail.

The Local Motion shop has opened for business just steps away from the Johnson City entrance to the Tweetsie Trail. The building at the corner of East Maple and Alabama is a public-private endeavor aimed at providing much-needed amenities for those who use the Tweetsie Trail. PHOTO BY W. KENNETH MEDLEY IItion

The ceiling inside Local Motion Cyclery is painted to resemble white clouds and blue sky, albeit a little abstract. There are bikes, but also drinks, snacks, apparel, a patio and destination souvenirs. Being located directly next to the Tweetsie Trail provides a unique opportunity for founder, owner and operator Bryan Winston.

“I think we are more than just a bike shop,” said Winston. “We can help all the genres of people that utilize the Tweetsie Trail in specific; that is runners, walkers, hikers and cyclists. We have a patio out front, we have drinks, edibles, wear-ables and we offer all things cycling, whether that be maintenance, service, rental or sales.”

In the small show room, one will discover Fuji bicycles of all types surrounding an island stacked with shirts themed around the Tweetsie Trail and biking. Lining the checkout counter and end capping the island is an assortment of energy gels, bars and hydration additives. The shop also includes a maintenance area and a coffee/slushy station.

There were many obstacles to getting the doors open at Local Motion, starting with a caved-in roof. According to Winston, the structure was built in 1920, and a failed remodeling job led to the dilapidated state.

“It was like a swimming pool, and water was accumulating,” Winston said. “It was just going to collapse at whatever point in time. We removed the roof, but we couldn’t be on or inside the building. So we had to hang through and above to dismantle it piece-by-piece.”

The plan for the shop hatched after Winston bought the building in April 2017. It took him about five months to get the building rezoned and secure a building permit to begin reconstruction. After that, Winston postponed the work until spring, but received a boost when city commissioners agreed to reimburse him up to $35,000 for construction and cover the shop’s utility costs.

“We started putting it back together, pumped the walls full of concrete,” Winston said. “Did what we wanted to do with new doors, new garage doors. Then we elevated it up and went pretty much with the architectural plan.”

The original concept art for the outpost at the head of the Tweetsie Trail reflects a vision that was realized when Local Motion was completed.

Now, the building is an aesthetically pleasing mix of tin and wood, giving it the ambiance of a 1920-era speakeasy or modern European Trail Café. One almost expects to hear a “Hallo” or “Buongiorno” from behind the counter upon entering. Instead, visitors are greeted with Winston’s smile and slow Southern drawl.

 

“My goal for the shop is to be a destination point,” said Winston. “I think the Tweetsie Trail is a logical destination point for the local community, as well as visitors coming to the John-son City area. Our goal is to be that destination point. We want to be the ones that can fulfill (needs for) all things cycling.”

Winston went on to say that the decision to open a bicycle shop was made due to need, location and opportunity. His initial plan was to provide drinks, snacks and bicycle rentals aimed at the Tweetsie Trail. The decision to expand to a full cyclery came later.

Plans for the future include bicycle maintenance classes, no-drop group rides and working with The Goose Chase, a non-profit running organization. One of Winston’s part-time employees, who he referred to as a coach, is planning mountain bike “How-to” classes. All he needs is support from the community.

“I would love to have the community to support local,” said Winston. “In turn, I will continue to support the community. If I can provide the tools for the people in Johnson City, in our community, to be a healthier, more fit, diverse community, I am willing to step on the edge, and offer an abundance of guidance.”

Specialized 2FO Flats Product Review

 

Welcome to American Dream Overland Expedition, I’m your host Kenneth Medley. This is a product review about the Specialized 2FO-flats. This is the first pair of shoes I’ve bought with a manual, albeit useless, because it was for a different pair of shoes. This is great marketing by Specialized. There is warranty information so do not throw it out.

What does Specialized say about these shoes?

“Pushing the limits requires confidence in your equipment. 2FO brings control, comfort, and protection to platform pedal footwear without any weight and fit penalties. Developed and tested by gravity and all mountain athletes worldwide, 2FO uses our SlipNot rubber tread compound for ultimate platform pedal hook-up. Foot out, flat out.”

Well there it is folks, straight from the company’s website. There is a bulleted list that describes more specific details, found here, Specialized website.

Does the shoe perform? The short answer is yes. Now I will explain why.

First is confidence:

These shoes won’t keep your feet on the pedals as if you were wearing clip-ins, but will give you the confidence as if you were. There is the obvious inability to pedal on the upstroke, however, moment can compensate. If you are used to riding flats, you’ll have no problem.

The difference of riding with a shoe designed for mountain biking is night and day. Be safe and confident in your equipment and your session times will improve. The Specialized described, “shark-skin forefoot tread pattern,” grips the pedals well. This translates into confidence on the trail. Confidence translates into speed.

Second, Comfort:

These shoes are comfortable for all day Stage-Enduro races, social rides or Dirt Church. I placed 12^th in the Fire Mountain Inferno race wearing them. They are great for hike-a-bike sections. A little slippery on wet rocks, but they are not made for that. The tread will pick up a little mud when hiking but is easily stomped clean.

They are perfect for grabbing a beer after the trail. Since a lot of my rides end at the pub instead of the podium, I wear these all the time. They are my go to for social rides and when I know I will be on my feet a lot.

That being said, I recommend buying a pair of insoles with the shoes. The factory insoles are garbage and not worth wearing out. Throw them out and get new ones.

Third point I want to talk about is style.

I love the red and black. I am partial to the color combination though. I have a lot of gear in the combo because it is available, goes well with a lot of other colors and I like the two together. I get compliments on these things all the time and if you care about that, cool. Specialize has many different offerings.

Next, protection:

I absolutely love Speacialize’s, “Injection-molded toe kick, anti-tear toe, and high-side cuff.” These features really do provide lightweight armor-like protection. You do not have to worry about trail hazards puncturing your foot when riding.

They are not bulletproof, but do provide a higher level of protection. I have hit plenty of sticks, roots and rocks jutting onto the trail with these and never missed a pedal stroke. Also, they don’t scuff on pavement and protect from road rash during urban assaults.

Last two things I will hit on are price and durability. I think these go hand-in-hand. I know I want a product that is going to stretch my dollar. I purchased my 2FOs through The Bike Shop Johnson City and got a closeout deal, because of color. I am amazed at how they have held up.

I have pedaled hundreds of miles wearing these. Landed my first doubles, ridden in three different states and been down more times than I can count. The only items I have replaced are the insoles. They come with two pair of laces, which is nice. Use the trademarked Lacelock and you don’t have to worry about replacing the laces.

Cleaning is easy. Garden hose them off, remove the insoles to dry and place in the sun. I recommend some deodorizer to kill any leftover scent.

Yes they do what Specialized designed them to do. Yes they are worth the money but look for a deal. Yes they are flats so everybody knows you’re gnarly on the trail. Yes they provide some protection.

No the insoles are not comfortable so buy some. No they are not armor or bulletproof.

Most importantly, YES, I would definitely recommend these to another rider. I can’t wait to get another pair. I will try a different model in the line-up but it will be a flat.

I hope this review helps you make a decision on where to spend your hard earned cash. Whether you are racing, meditating or socializing you won’t be disappointed with these shoes.

Subscribe to American Dream: Overland Expedition for future product reviews. We have some Troy Lee Designs shorts, Ryder Glasses and a glove review coming up. Make sure to check back for those and more.

Bikin’ & Eggs, Get Some

The temperature is mild. Trees sway in a gentle breeze. It is Saturday morning and 75 new friends, as diverse as their bikes, enjoy the year’s first Bikin’ & Eggs event.

“Bikin’ & Eggs is our early morning breakfast ride,” said Trek Bicycle Store Johnson City Event Planner Sydney Lawson, “where we team up with Bojangles Tri-Cities and they provide breakfast.”

Sydney Lawson enjoys the easy pace of the Bikin’ & Eggs ride. Photograph by Robert King.

The ride leaders are Trek Store employees and three boys all under 11 years old. The pace is conversational to ensure participants complete the ride. This also allows the riders to focus on friendship and family.

“We go for about a 10-mile ride,” said Lawson, “to the Tweetsie Trail Quarry and back and it’s just a lot of fun.”

The Tweetsie Trail is a rails-to-trails project in Johnson City, Tennessee. It is a gravel trail that runs approximately 9.5 miles from Johnson City to nearby Elizabethton, Tennessee. The Tweetsie Trial will eventually extend to Roan Mountain.

The ride is an active alternative to Saturday morning cartoons. The streets have less traffic, and watching Johnson City wake-up provides a new perspective. The ride is safe and is a no-drop event ensuring fun for the whole family.

“When I saw [the] little one, in the carrier in the back,” said participant Pat Huber. “That is what families should be doing on a Saturday morning instead of watching cartoons.”

The Bikin’ & Egg riders gather for a group photograph. Photograph by Robert King.

Urijah Kim, one of the young leaders said his favorite part of the ride is eating bacon and eggs at the end. His dad’s favorite food group is the coffee provided by Open Doors Coffee Shop. Many participants corral at the Trek Bicycle Store Johnson City afterward until the food and drinks are gone.

“I want to ride bicycles and sometimes watch cartoons,” Kim said. He likes to do group rides in Johnson City because, “usually when we get done riding bikes, we get to eat.”

Urijah Kim enjoys breakfast, provided by Bojangles, after the Bikin’ & Eggs ride. Photograph by Robert King.

Bikin’ & Eggs is a unique opportunity to rent and demo some bikes too. The Trek Store has Townies and E-Bikes available. Helmets are required for everybody and decorations are encouraged. The whole point of this ride is to have fun and enjoy the company of neighbors.

The food and coffee is a favorite reward for many. It isn’t the only payout for riders though. Many celebrate completing the ride because it inspires confidence to those whom underestimate themselves.

“Making it up the hill,” said Huber immediately when asked about her favorite part. “Then having that wonderful reward at the end. Eggs and bacon, those wonderful blueberry biscuits.”

The ride is slow-paced and mostly downhill on the way to the quarry. This makes the return trip a little more interesting. The weather was perfect and conversations were heard more than heavy breathing.

Ryan Graybeal and other riders pause for a break. This is a time for people to fellowship. Photograph by Robert King.

“I like it (Bikin’ & Eggs) more than the Taco Trek because there are less people,” said rider Kaylani Ngirarois. “ Everybody is riding a little slower because they are not just trying to get back for free beer. It makes the Bikin’ & Eggs more personable and gives you the ability to meet new people from within your community.”

One gets a deep sense of community here. Participants can be overheard discussing what they love about bicycling and Johnson City. Many meet new people and make lunch plans for the same day.

“It is an event for everybody,” said Ngirarios. “You can get a true sense of the person from their bike. You have everything from real-shredders on full-suspension bikes to hippies cruising on Townies, it’s great”

Community and togetherness is the theme of the day. Co-Owner of Open Doors Coffee Shop Michael Marion is serving hot coffee to participants. He is smiling and carrying on like every person is a friend.

Open Doors Coffeehouse co-owner Michael Marion serves coffee after the ride to thirsty and tired riders. Photograph by Robert King.

“We love being a part of the community,” Marion said, “especially the downtown community’s unique owners of private shops, such as Trek, and believe in what they are doing.”

Marion is a bit of a large man standing around 6’5” but soft spoken. He is unassuming and pours coffee for everybody. He adds cream and sugar to Ngirarois’s coffee because her hands are full with a toddler. Marion is quick to help and has personal reason why Bikin’ & Eggs is important for Johnson City.

“Well, more so then ever we need community within communities,” said Marion. “The biking community is just a unique group of people who share a love for being outdoors and for two-wheeling.”

Marion is not a big bike rider himself but knows how important riding can be. He is here to support a way forward for this small Southern Appalachian city. In a region hit hard by economic downturn and illegal drug abuse Marion sees a silver lining in bikes.

“I told somebody this morning that nobody can ride a bike mad, it just brings out the best in you. I think [group rides] are vital to those that want more community,” said Marion.

The front of the group is usually Trek Bicycle Store Johnson City employees and children. Photograph by Robert King.

If one missed 2018’s first Bikin’ & Eggs there are no worries. Trek Bicycle Store Johnson City host the event every second Saturday of the month from April to October. The next one is this Saturday, so mark your calendars now!

TRAIL UPDATE: RACES TO COME, TRAILS TO RIDE

Spring is finally upon us. Freezing nights are occurring but becoming more rare. This week has seen plenty of sunshine for great mountain biking opportunities, including one local race.

A rainy, snowy mix last weekend threatened to postpone the inaugural Cat’s Pajamas Time Trial Race scheduled for the next day.

All Trail Cycling presented the race and proceeds go to the Science Hill High School mountain biking team. alltrailscycling.com

Fortunately, a sunny Sunday gave over 30 racers the opportunity to set times and help support a good cause.

More sunshine is projected this weekend. Sunday’s weather may be the opposite of last week, but this Saturday should be perfect for riding. Some closed sections at Winged Deer Mountain Bike Park are back open. There are a myriad of other areas in the Tri-Cities to ride as well. A great place to do session laps is the Hampton Watershed Trails. These trails are great and will provide a nice workout for any rider.

For a more advanced biker, the climb on Cat’s Pajamas is deceptively never-ending, but the climb is worth the descent. A series of steep drops into short popping up-hills will make the smile spread ear-to-ear. Warning to the unwary rider: there are plenty of spots to get in trouble if you aren’t careful.

Take a spare mech-hanger or two. There is more than one rock garden and plenty of downed limbs that can, or rather will, snag you up. The local trail stewards are getting the trails cleaned up, but unseasonable cold snaps are slowing work.

There are other trails too. Make sure to check out Bays Mountain, Pisgah and all the other places available for day trips from Johnson City, Tennessee.

The Wildcat race event is coming up at Panther Creek State Park in nearby Morristown, Tennessee. Every month this season offers different events within day-trip distance of JC. Anyone is welcome to come, whether as a spectator or participant. dirtybirdevents.com/wildcat/

As a reminder, be respectful and make sure not to damage any of the trails so other bikers can have a safe, fun ride too.

MTB Trail Update During Freeze/Thaw Cycle

This is a link to my latest East Tennessean article. This article appears in the Monday edition. Let me know what you think in the comments.

 

A Specialized Enduro FSR waits patiently to be warmed up during the Freeze/Thaw winter cycle of East Tennessee. Photograph by W. Kenneth Medley II

Photo Credit: Jerry Greer of Jerry Greer Photography

Featured Image: Author sending it during the Iceman Cometh 2018 ride at Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park in Johnson City, Tennessee. This ride was a special event open to SORBA Tri-Cities members.

P.O.V. video available at American Dream: Overland Expedition!

 

Bull and Cow Talk About Tandem Bike Rides

Season Finale Taco Trek Podcast

I check in with bike riders Mike, Christine and Arlene to discuss the Taco Trek in Johnson City, Tennessee. We also take a minute to talk about the building of biking tourism in the region.

Listen to the podcast and follow along with the photographs below.

Riders socialize while waiting to launch the seasons final Taco Trek hosted by Trek Bicycle Store Johnson City. The ride is a once a month event through historical parts of Johnson City and along the Tweetsie Trail Spur. It ends in the Trek Bicycle Store parking lot then 21+ year old riders are treated to a pint at Holy Taco. Photograph by W. Kenneth Medley II

Bike Rider Mario helps Bike Rider Luigi fix a costume malfunction while Brian Urlacher, a.k.a. Chad Wolfe, prepares the 100+ group for a ride through Johnson City, Tennessee. Photograph by W. Kenneth Medley II

Riders of the monthly Taco Trek receive a safety instructions from Chad Wolfe of the Trek Bicycle Store Johnson City before embarking on a Halloween Ride through the city. Photograph by W. Kenneth Medley II

Many different style of bikes were represented at the seasons final Taco Trek. Here is an Electric Townie for ease of travel without having to pedal too hard. Photograph by W. Kenneth Medley II

Tandem Bike Riders Mike and Christine are dressed to impress on the Halloween Taco Trek hosted by Trek Bicycle Store Johnson City. Christines mom is following behind and has been brought back to bicycling after many years by retirement. Photograph by W. Kenneth Medley II

Another costumed pair on a tandem bike. This one is a little different. Johnson City, Tennessee, provides the perfect backdrop for the monthly Taco Trek. Unfornately this was the last one of the season. Photograph by W. Kenneth Medley II

Participants of Trek Store Johnson City’s monthly Taco Trek corral at local eatery, and watering hole, Holy Taco for a pint after the ride. Photograph by W. Kenneth Medley II