I've been pushing my luck on my road rides the past week. After a string of flat tires I found myself completely out of spare tubes. I figured that, until I could get to the bike shop, I would just ride and, if I got a flat, I would either walk home or call my wife or son to come pick me up (which is kind of unfair to them). So today, after school, my bike ride took me down the Susquehanna Trail to
Gung Ho Bikes. I figured that if I was going to ride...I'd ride there to get what I needed.
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| Gung Ho Bikes in York, PA. I took this pick the day I purchased my 2016 Specialized Stumpjumper. -- March 2016 |
I've first walked into Gung Ho in 1995 and I've never considered going to another bike shop. Since then, I've bought 10 mountain bikes, 3 road bikes, a bike for my wife, and a BMX bike for my son. (After writing that last sentence I'm kind of amazed. That's a lot of bikes!) The owner, Jay, is my longest continuous friend since I moved to York. He's a great guy...and a "history nerd" like me. When I walked in today he helped me with some mechanical stuff that was bothering me on some recent rides...and then let me test ride a new
2016 Roubaix that was sitting in the shop. It was sweet. I'm currently fighting off some "bike-envy." Damn....I don't need "bike-envy" right now.
A few years ago, Jay allowed to enter a couple
adventure races under the name Team Gung Ho. Both times I think I, and my racing partners, made the shop proud. Heck...a few years ago he was kind enough to hire me part time to work in the shop. I learned (and laughed) a lot!
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| Jay may be my longest continuous friend since I've lived in York but this is, I believe, the only pic I have of Jay and I together. This picture was taken at the conclusion of the 2009 Cradle of Liberty Adventure Race. From left to right, Team Gung Ho consisted of Dave Raymond, Kristian Hains, & Jay Zech -- June 2009 |
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| I handled the mountain biking duties for Team Gung Ho in the 2 man 2013 Rustic Rage Off Road Duathalon -- June 2013 |
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| Chris Keller and I made the shop proud as Team Gung Ho in the 2013 Cushion Peak Adventure Race -- April 20, 2013 |
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| In the summer of 2013, one of my best bud's, Mikey Nardelli, and I were hired to work at the shop. Sometimes we had too much fun! -- July 2013 |
Gung Ho's motto is "JUST RIDE." They're all about getting people on bikes....and all about taking care of those people once they have a bike. Their service is second only to the friendly and welcoming atmosphere that is created by the staff. That's what makes, in my opinion, Gung Ho the best bike shop around. It's been a while since I've been to the shop. A few months, I think. So yeah...I thought today, instead of driving to get the stuff I needed...I'd JUST RIDE.
Life is a journey...not a destination.
David A. Raymond -- September 16, 2016
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| Gung Ho's service is awesome. Derrick Rorrer is a fixture at the shop. Derrik's got me out of more binds than I can count -- September 16, 2016 |
