August 30, 2009
Most everyone that knew and patroned Avalon Cycles misses the shop. I’ve read some posts on the MORE web site regarding the Elkridge, MD shop’s demise. Hell, my buddies and I still talk about this place quite often. But no one’s offered a formal farewell to one the coolest LBS’ to EVER grace the Baltimore area. Avalon, this is your farewell letter….
Victor, Gary, Donald, Phil, and Big John. You guys were (and still are) the shit. Thanks a million for putting your balls on the line to get us a shop that not only carried the coolest boutique frames, but also had all the best stuff on the shelf coupled with expert service. I mean, really. If you wanted a sick custom build, where else would you go? Who else had the readiness to help you build a $6,000 mountain bike? Sure, some of us got screwed in some ways; bad service, a dropped ball here and there, but damn, Avalon Cycles was the place to go. And was also the place to go to hang out.
Yeah, I know that riders hang out at lots of LBS’. But did those LBS’ have a sick skate / BMX / freestyle park in the back yard? Avalon did. And I remember when Phil Burlesonspent days and days and hours and hours trucking back those ramps in a rented semi! If that ain’t heart, and if that ain’t love for our sport, then I don’t know what is. Cause whether you know it or not, Phil lost money on that skate park. Big time. But we were able to take advantage of it. And he did it for us. He did it for cycling. Thanks Phil.
And Donald. There aren’t that many people in the world with truly magnetic personalities. Donlad’s certainly got one. And he put his talents to work to sell us some of the best builds and gear we could get our hands on. Whenever he could, he would set up a group ride and take it slow for all the beginners. But Thursday nights were our nights. And we rode hard. “Training rides” he called them. I called them hammer-fests. And they were doap.
Then there was Victor, Gary, and Big John. Big John could fix anything. Tatooed from chest to leg, he was sick wrench that appreciated cycling for the simplicity of the machines that bikes are. Victor was in there every Saturday. Working for free but racking up parts and awesome frames. How else do you think he got that beast Epiphany? Gary was a great shop manager. Excellent with clients, a perfect wrench, and great all-around person. These were the people that made up the shop. I miss seein’ em’ in the same building together. I miss the vibe of that place.
So where are they now?
Gary’s still in the game, wrenching outta his own shop, Non-Stop Bike Shop – a mobile shop he started a few months ago. I’m planning on hitting Interbike with him in a few weeks. That should be a great time.
Victor is working full-time for Sylvan Learning and riding lots of road. I get to see him often and that’s cool.
Phil is back to running his restaurant full time. He always was a dirty chef, and a great one at that.
Dunno what happened to Big John. That dood was cool. I’m sure he’s doing well. John – if you read this – get in touch. Would be cool to hear where you’re at these days.
Donald Rucker is now working for Ellsworth Cycles. Yup, Ellsworth. Donald’s in California, working side-by-side with Tony Ellsworth. Pretty cool, eh? Avalon kicked ass for Ellsworth in sales. It makes sense that they hired Donald as their inside sales rep. for the East Coast. That personality of his is great for advocacy and great for sales. Good luck with the new job, Donald. We’re all excited for you. Hope to see you at Interbike. (On a side note, Donald broke his femur when he beefed a 25ft gap out in Cali. He is recovering fine, but dayum. Broken femur? Ouch!)
Thanks Avalon….for the fun while it lasted. We miss you guys and we think about the old shop every time we skulk off to some random LBS for parts or service.
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