BioWheels Asheville to close retail shop, start new bike rental/trail business

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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The owners of BioWheels Asheville, a high-end bicycle shop in Asheville, are planning to close their retail shop at 81 Coxe Ave. It is an evolution brought on by increased competition and a tough economy, according to Eric Krause and Matt Johnson.

First, the news: BioWheels plans to start a big sale on Tuesday and close the retail shop by the end of January. Krause and Johnson own the building they’re in – Asheville’s first green commercial building when it opened in 2000 – and they’re looking to lease it out.

Krause and Johnson say they will continue to do some custom bikes, and personal fittings, by appointment only.

But their big focus will be on teaming up with Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures to build new bicycle trails on property at the Asheville Crowne Plaza Resort just west of downtown. Over the past couple of years, Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures has opened a zipline course on the property and Asheville Treetops Adventure Park, a climbing, zipping and rappelling course.

The plan is to build an initial 5-mile bike course that will cater to visitors who come to Asheville and know its reputation as a first-class mountain biking destination. That should be open by spring. Visitors will rent bikes and can buy what they ride.

A second phase will be a full-on mountain biking course.

Stay tuned for more info. Meantime, consider the changes happening all around the BioWheels location. First, Asheville Pizza & Brewing is expanding into an adjacent space. Second, Craggie Brewing around the corner just closed. And lastly, work is moving ahead on renovations to the old Ben’s Tune-Up building. Anyone know what’s happening there?

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

1 Comment

  1. jabob December 5, 2012

    Nice Move!!! Diversify our bike culture 🙂

    Reply

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