Trail Talk : PARKS & REC SPOTLIGHT
Teelo and his highly qualified mechanics , Wayne Shauan , Simon Kerr , and Dylan Sperte , work tirelessly to ensure the right bike from the very start . They love working with families , educating both kids and their parents to wear helmets at all times . They even have a successful trade-in program , where kids can bring in their outgrown Bike Depot bike and get credit to upgrade to the next size . “ We ’ re always evolving with families ! I love the interaction with the community and customers , and especially kids ,” says Teelo .
It is the heartfelt mission of BDW and the commitment of the BDW Staff to give back to the community through local charities such as “ Trips for Kids ” and providing support , food and rest area for Events such as the “ Tour de Cure for Diabetes ” and “ Project 658 ”, which raises money to lift and empower local community members . The store is also very active with the Waxhaw town events , assisting with the “ Ginger Snap 5k ” and “ Girls on the run ”.
Ride On with the Bike Depot
On any Saturday in Downtown Waxhaw you will find Bike Depot of Waxhaw ( BDW ) in the heart of the historic district filled with customers , friends and cyclists of all ages , nationalities and riding levels . They come together weekly to laugh , ride and share the Depot ’ s sponsored , “ Champagne Ride ” brunch , which is exactly as it sounds – first a ride , then a meal – all in the context of meeting new people and bringing together the cycling community .
Owner Alan Teeling , more commonly known as Teelo , is celebrating seven years of BDW serving the community of Waxhaw . He ’ s the youngest
waxHAW NEWS ● SEPT / OCT 2017 ● 16 of eight children , originally hailing from Ireland where he careened on his bike as an amateur junior racer while working at his family ’ s bike store in the village of Howth , near Dublin . He ’ s been a part of the Charlotte cycling community for the last 30 years , but fell in love with Waxhaw while fittingly , riding the country roads .
His strong commitment to the local community is evident in his desire to bring people together to come and learn in a non-threatening environment . That mission includes finding good ride leaders , starting people at the right level , and having a “ no-drop ride ” where no one is left behind . BDW ’ s rides are encouraging and motivating to beginners and advanced , alike , with a constant priority to have no one go home a stranger .
Additionally , BDW works closely with Ben Barry , founder of the No Brainer Ride and supporter of Hinds Feet Farm . Together with Barry , the Town of Waxhaw , and Waxhaw PD , BDW has promoted brain injury awareness prevention by giving away over 100 helmets to local kids and adults , while also increasing understanding of the law that all children under the age of 16 must wear a helmet . Barry states , “ Teelo has been great , promoting cycling and getting children and their families riding . They ’ ve really worked to get a real cycling community going , and it ’ s just like one big family out of Bike Depot .”
Whether you ’ re a novice or expert rider , or a parent looking to buy that first two-wheeler for your little one , BDW is the place to go ! And we can all appreciate their commitment to serving the Waxhaw community , providing excellent customer service and a sense of fun for all who participate !