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Meet the Crew

Jim Barnes

Jim Barnes

Owner / Customer Service

WORK RELATED

Where are you from, and how long have you been with the company?

The Midwest: Omaha and Chicago, although I've lived in Helena longer than anywhere. I started the shop in January 1986; you can do the math.

What's your background with bikes? 

I have always loved them.  During Jr. High, I had my basement bike shop in our house.  I've worked in a bike shop every year since my first High School job at George Garner Cyclery in Northbrook, IL. I started mountain biking in Missoula with friends on our early mountain bike creations in the 70s and 80s. I've always used a bike as transportation for most my commuting.

Best thing about your job?

Seeing someone smiling as they go out the door with a new bike or a recently refurbished one, especially kids. I enjoy spreading the love of bikes. There is endless variety of things to take care of here, so I'm still learning after 40 some years in bike shops.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

If you have to ride one bike, what would it be?

I couldn't live like that.

Song you can't get out of your head?

Cause We've Ended as Lovers - Jeff Beck

(Sounds kind of mushy, but it is the best instrumental guitar)

Would you rather give up dessert or beer?

Already gave up beer, what more do you want from me?!

Devin Ross

Devin Ross

Service Department Manager

WORK RELATED

Where are you from, and how long have you been with the company?

Park City, UT; since 2017

What's your background with bikes? 

I have been working in a bike shop since 2008 and I have been building custom frames since 2018.

Best thing about your job?

Checking out the newest tech, for better or worse.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

If you have to ride one bike, what would it be?

Giant Reign

Song you can't get out of your head?

That one with the catchy melody.

Would you rather give up dessert or beer?

It’s hard to say no to a post-ride brew.

Lisa Bush

Kelby Garman

Sales Manager

WORK RELATED

Where are you from, and how long have you been with the company?

Clancy, off and on since 2004

What's your background with bikes? 

Grew up riding; basically, always been on bikes of some variety.

Best thing about your job?

The awesome customer base that we have and bikes of course!

PERSONAL INTERESTS

If you have to ride one bike, what would it be?

Some sort of mountain bike; really been enjoying snowbiking the last few weeks.

Song you can't get out of your head?

Songs don't really get stuck in my head much.

Would you rather give up dessert or beer?

Either one is fine for me to give up.

Cody Pate

Cody Pate

Customer Service

WORK RELATED

Where are you from, and how long have you been with the company?

The square state of Wyoming :)  It’s been so long and fun, the years have merged.

What's your background with bikes? 

Riding was the only way to escape as a kid. So since I was young, I’ve always loved bikes.

Best thing about your job?

Teaching kids how to mountain bike every summer and meeting new people that are just getting into mountain biking for the first time.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

If you have to ride one bike, what would it be?

The one bike, to rule them all, would be a steel-framed (#storystreetcycles) gravel bike with an AXS (1x12) mullet groupset, DT Swiss carbon wheels 700c with disc brakes. Plus, anything else to help me get lost on an adventure.

Song you can't get out of your head?

Michael Jackson’s Thriller

Would you rather give up dessert or beer?

beer

Jay Hutchinson

Jay Hutchinson

Service Writer/Assembly Technician

WORK RELATED

Where are you from, and how long have you been with the company?

Where I'm from is a long story, but I live Helena. I started in March 2021.

What's your background with bikes? 

I have been riding bikes my entire life.  When I was tenish, I found a $100 bill.  I spent it on 24" ten speed.  In '89, while in Germany, I bought my first mountain bike.  I've been on one since.

Best thing about your job?

It's in a bike shop.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

If you have to ride one bike, what would it be?

Reality: my full-suspension 29er

Fantasy: custom-made Ti 29er hardtail

Song you can't get out of your head?

Right now it's Breakdown, Boz Scaggs, but this changes all the time.

Would you rather give up dessert or beer?

dessert.  Was that a serious question?

Tucker Hurley

Tucker Hurley

Inventory Specialist, Customer Service & Tech

WORK RELATED

Where are you from, and how long have you been with the company?

Oregon, since 2015

What's your background with bikes? 

Mainly BMX, but since working at the shop, I've definitely moved toward mountain biking.

Best thing about your job?

Getting to ride killer bikes, and hook people up with killer bikes.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

If you have to ride one bike it would be the?

My hardtail 29er, blah, blah, blah ... (shout out to Andy Ritchie).

Song you can't get out of your head?

One Toke Over the Line - Brewer and Shipley

Would you rather give up dessert or beer?

Keep the sweets; I'll take the beer.

Leif Littrup

Leif Littrup

Professional Service Technician

WORK RELATED

Where are you from, and how long have you been with the company?

FL, years

What's your background with bikes? 

I ride them and fix some.

Best thing about your job?

I do wheelies for test rides.  It’s in my contract.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

If you have to ride one bike, what would it be?

the right one

Song you can't get out of your head?

So it starts out like: Bwow, Braum, Be-gank, Doom, Dom, Dom.  Then it gets all: Pew, Pew, De-de, De-de, Pew.  Next is that: Zow, Zow, De-da, De-da, blaum, blaum …

Would you rather give up dessert (formerly spelled desert for the purpose of this answer) or beer?

Losing the desert seems like a real shame.  The arid hospitable lands are home to a thriving ecosystem with some of nature’s most innovative adaptations.  I would give up all beer (most of which is gross) to save even one desert.  If my pick can save every desert, that’s even better.  Or possibly, I am being asked to stay out of the desert, as in I must desert the desert.  In that case, I will still have the occasional tecate or pacifico from time to time, but “real” beer is gross anyway.  I have just been informed that: 1) the question has a limit on the length of the answer and 2) It’s supposed to be “give up dessert or beer.”  So my new answer is OK.  You pick.  I’m not that into either.

Leo Anderson

Leo Anderson

Assembly Technician

WORK RELATED

Where are you from, and how long have you been with the company?

Helena, since 2019

What's your background with bikes? 

I used to ride mountain bikes and then I went to the skate park and ever since I have been riding BMX bikes.

Best thing about your job?

I love to just be building bikes and listening to music and talking about bikes with my co-workers.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

If you have to ride one bike, what would it be?

If I had to ride one bike, it would be the Trek Roscoe 8.

Song you can't get out of your head?

I don't know.

Would you rather give up dessert or beer?

beer

Lisa Bush

Customer Service 

WORK RELATED

Where are you from, and how long have you been with the company?

Cincinnati, since 2018

What's your background with bikes? 

Been riding bike for a long time.

Best thing about your job?

Watching a kid smile when they get their new bike.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

If you have to ride one bike, what would it be?

a gravel bike

Song you can't get out of your head?

Proud Mary

Would you rather give up dessert or beer?

dessert