Who runs this place?
Peter Kotses and Meredith Erlewine own and operate Athens Bicycle. Pete is lifelong cyclist with more than 25 years of experience bicycle commuting, touring, racing and riding. He also is an expert mechanic. Meredith is an experienced cyclist who loves to race mountain bikes and who enjoys helping other people improve as cyclists via guided tours and skills clinics.

Pete and Meredith started Athens Bicycle in 1998. Their goals are to offer a friendly atmosphere and excellent service and to provide opportunities for community members to get involved with cycling.

Together with their knowledgable staff, Pete and Meredith work to achieve these goals by keeping the following values in mind:

• Create positive experiences
• Exceed customer expectations
• Welcome new ideas
• Help people enjoy bikes and bicycling
• Have fun
• Do an awesome job
• Give back to the community that we love

Putting These Values Into Action
Athens Bicycle staff put these values to work by actively participating in the Southeastern Ohio cycling community.

GETTING INVOLVED. Shop owners Pete and Meredith are long-time members of the Athens Bicycle Club, which in turn is a member of the Ohio Mountain Bike Association (OMBA). In the late 1990s, Pete played an instrumental role in gaining approval from land managers at Lake Hope State Park for ABC to build trails at the park; since then ABC has built more than 20 miles of singletrack trail there. More recently, the club has gained access to build trails at Strouds Run State Park. Club members work together to plan and host an annual spring road tour, to build and maintain mountain bike trails, and to organize other activities. Visit ABC's Web site for more information on the club.

ADVOCTING FOR CYCLISTS. Pete serves on the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway Committee and the Friends of Strouds Run. In the past he has served on the Athens Land Conservation Advisory Committee and the Moonville Rail Trail Association. In his capacity as a member of these local groups, Pete makes sure that cyclists have a voice when decisions are being made about recreation opportunities in public spaces.

ORGANIZING EVENTS. Annually in March Athens Bicycle sponsors the Gravel Rouser Classic, featuring four days of racing and fun rides. Each May the shop co-sponsors the Athens Bike Rodeo, which features safety checks, a bicycle skills course and free helmets for local kids. Each August the shop sponsors an Ohio Mountain Bike Championship Series mountain bike race at Lake Hope State Park. These are just a few examples of the types of activies we organize or help organize each year.

ENCOURAGING NETWORKING. Throughout the year Athens Bicycle offers repair clinics, cycling clinics, group rides and special events such as a cycling movie series and after-hours get-togethers at the shop. We also sponsor a racing team for individuals of all ability levels and ages. These initiatives offer opportunities for cyclists to meet and network with other individuals who share their interests.