Bicycle Ranch - for sale or for close?

July 22nd, 2010 12:37pm

When a bike store that hosted the most successful team in cycling history puts the word out that it will find a buyer or closes its doors, is it a sign of the times? I think not, but that is what Bicycle Ranch in Scottsdale AZ has just announced. After successfully hosting Lance Armstrong and the Discovery team annual sponsor ride for more than 5 years, the store that built a reputation on professional bike fitting and professional service has put the word out that if it does not find a buyer for the store within the next 30 days, it will close it's doors. So why would a store so entrenched in the bicycle world, endorsed by Trek, Cannondale and a host of the top US roadies close its doors? In a word, people. In all of the industries I have ever seen, bicycling is one of the most people dependent businesses I have seen. And as of late, Bicycle Ranch has seen it's top two people leave. Just like bike brands can be made if the dealers like them, a store can go out of business faster than you can say "tube please" if the management isn't right. And that is what has happened. The glue that held the staff, the customers and the vendors together has gone and the ownership didn't have the vision to see the value in that. So it is somewhat of a sad day in our little corner of the cycling world. Truly professional shops are hard to come by, but more importantly, truly good people in our lives are hard to replace.