Bike shop thrives in time of coronavirus

Image
  • Inside Terry’s Bicycles, 2102 W. Gore Blvd. in Lawton.
Body

LAWTON – Teddy Hopkins needed to get exercise. A man in his mid-40s, going days without being able to work out was not doing him any good. But that was the situation Hopkins found himself when his gym in Lawton was shut down along with other nonessential businesses due to the spread of COVID-19.

To remedy the situation, Hopkins did what many have done: He bought a bicycle. Well, he actually purchased two of them.

“I bought a cheaper one a month ago,” Hopkins said. “But just bought this new one two weeks ago. I needed a newer and better ride for long rides.”

Hopkins is like thousands of men and women across the country who have rediscovered an old form of exercise. In this day and age, the bicycle had become a forgotten mode of transportation for many. But ever since the coronavirus pandemic has forced new social guidelines and restrictions on people, bikes sales have gone through the roof. A big part of that is because bike shops were considered essential.

“There were a lot of uncertainties, I guess, at the beginning,” said Darrin Hall, owner of Terry’s Bicycles in Lawton. “But through it all, since we are transportation, fortunately, we were able to stay open. And so, for us, new/ used bike sales, as well as repairs, has remained really steady throughout this whole situation.”

Hall bought Terry’s Bicycles in June 2019. He was almost seven months into the new regime when the news of the pandemic hit the U.S.

At that time, Hall wasn’t sure how the virus was going to affect his business. This was new territory for everyone.

“Nobody has any experience to fall back on for a situation like this,” Hall said. “Are people going to want bikes [or] ride bikes? Are they all going to stay inside their houses only? So that was kind of the uncertainty.”

Like every other business, Hall also had to worry about what was going to happen with his employees.

“I was thinking, ‘am I going to be table to pay my employees?’ Because I’ve got a couple of full-time employees and this is their livelihood,” Hall said. “And so, I thought, ‘Well, man, I might have to start looking for something to bring in some income just so I can keep paying these guys.”

But to Hall’s surprise, that was not needed. Customers looking for new bikes and those needing repairs to old- er ones arrived at his door as soon as he opened at 10 a.m.

“I didn’t see it coming. I was kind of surprised that it turned out to be the way it was,” Hall said. “I mean, yeah, certainly there were a lot more people riding bikes and getting old bikes fixed up to ride again, but the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge has seen record numbers of visitors over this time of people getting outside and doing outside activities like sightseeing and hiking.”

According to a recent poll conducted by Trek Bicycle, of Americans who own a bike, 21 percent said they have been riding more since the pandemic.

“I think people were home with their families, and they were looking for activities to do to pass the time,” Hall said. “They were getting reacquainted with their families. Getting outside and doing things together, going for walks and bike rides and things like that was one of the places they turned to. I’m glad to see people getting outside, living a healthy lifestyle and getting some exercise.”

Hopkins is included in that group. He said riding his bicycle is not only a good work- out but also good for social distancing.

“I really enjoy the freedom of riding out through the refuge,” said Hopkins. “Kind of expensive, but worth every penny. Nothing is cheap anymore.”

Many of the bikes being sold at Terry’s Bicycles range anywhere from $600 to $1,500.

“So a new bike, an entry-level mountain bike, or a hybrid, which is a commuter bike or just a fun bike to ride around, comfortable bike to ride around the neighborhood, I would say they spent an average of about $550,” said Hall.

Even as gyms and other businesses have reopened, Hall doesn’t see the business for bicycles dwindling any- time soon.

“Because we’re coming into summertime, I expect things to remain steady, especially repairs on bikes that people already own,” Hall said. “I expect that business to stay steady.”