Two back surgeries can get your attention, and can also lead to a dramatic change in lifestyle.

And two wheels and a pair of pedals can inspire a new business adventure in
the Mountain community.

George Wilson’s Mt. Hood Bicycle shop opens its doors, softly, this month
(mid-January) in the Hoodland Plaza with a scheduled grand opening set for
March.

“I have been a passionate cyclist for over twenty years,” Wilson told The
Mountain Times. (And after the back surgeries) “I found cycling to be a great
form of aerobic exercise to keep the weight off, but it was also very
therapeutic mentally. I gradually learned more about riding technique and
form to improve performance, and after realizing positive results I was
hooked.”

He began doing his own mechanical maintenance, enrolled in formal classes at
the United Bicycle Institute in Portland, and that led to his new business
adventure.

“I felt the timing was right to provide a full-service bicycle shop for local and
visiting riders,” he said. “Mt. Hood Bicycle will be the only full-service bicycle
shop between Sandy and Hood River.”

As in any business, location was key. Wilson chose the end-space at Hoodland
Plaza primarily because the shopping center attracts 50,000 visitors per
month. Plus, the new shop is located across Welches Road from the Mt. Hood
Express stop where riders load their bikes onto bike trailers for transportation
to Timberline and Skibowl to access the single-track mountain bike runs back
to Rhododendron and Welches.

“Our new location is approximately eight miles from the Sandy Ridge Bike
Park in Brightwood, which has become an international destination for
mountain bikers,” Wilson said. “The Mt. Hood National Forest is the nearest
place for a full-on mountain biking experience anywhere in the area. We are
conveniently located to service the needs of local cyclists, as well as our
cycling visitors no matter which cycling discipline they are into.”

Wilson has secured distributorship rights from Trek Bicycles, Fox Suspension,
Shimano and Sram components. The shop will focus on service and repair, as
well as retail sales of bikes, components and accessories.

And as the calendar inches toward spring, the shop will provide a bike wash
station for cyclists.

The conversion of the space was extensive and Wilson gave a nod to the work
of Justin Shenkel (owner of Charlies Paint and Design in Vancouver) and Kyle
Sullivan (Igloo Printing and Design) for the logos and stenciling.

“Finally, I can’t express my appreciation for my friend and Mt Hood Bicycle
certified mechanic Kevin ‘K-Mack’ McCarthy, for his contribution and carpentry
skills,” Wilson said. “These are all local residents capable of providing
professional services to our local community.”

And Mt. Hood Bicycle now rolls out its own professional services for Mountain
residents and beyond.

For more information, visit www.mthoodbicycle.com.