Stage 67 - One Year Later
After a year off the mic, Bike Shop Society is back. In this episode, we talk about why we hit pause—and why it was necessary. The last 12 months weren’t quiet… they were focused. We took a step back to reimagine the shop, remodel the space, tighten up our service program, and get clear on who we are and where we’re headed. Sometimes you’ve got to stop pedaling to build a better bike. We also introduce two new voices in the shop: 🔧 Ari – our lead mechanic, wheel builder, detail-obsessed craftsman. Decades deep in bike culture and not afraid to call it how it is. 🛠️ Will – our apprentice, diving into vintage overhauls and learning the fundamentals the right way. Smart, curious, Iowa roots, and already fitting right into the rhythm of the bench. Midway through the episode, things get very “bike shop.” An unexpected visitor, Alex, rolls in to pick up his wife’s beautiful vintage Peugeot mixte. We keep the mics hot and let you listen in as Will handles the interaction—real time, real shop energy. Then Alex throws on the headphones, grabs a mic, and suddenly we’ve got a three-man conversation about bikes, community, and why places like this still matter. No scripts. No polish. Just shop noise, stories, and a reminder that bike shops are more than retail—they’re culture. We close out with what’s ahead: more episodes, more consistency, more conversations about bicycle repair, and the business of running an independent bike shop. We’re back. One year later. Let’s ride. 🚲🎙️ Want a shoutout on the pod, do you like to write letters? Email us: mail@bikeshopsociety.com Visit our website, or don't. bikeshopsociety.com