Local bike store changes hands

By Cheryl Lingo
Editor

Published: Thursday, February 12, 2009 Reedley Exponent

Bobby and Susan Ikemiya purchased Bike Trax from Bill and Paula Olinger this month, but previous co-owner Paula Olinger will stay on with the operation to oversee bicycle sales.

Among his plans for the business, Ikemiya said he will re-introduce skateboards and paintball as featured items in the store, and electric scooters are also part of the mix.

"I see this as a way to give back to the community in a fun and healthy way."

Ikemiya said his wife, Susan, and daughter Crystal, will also be part of the crew at the bike shop.

Selling the business was a bitter sweet decision for the Olingers who operated the store for the past 13 years.

"I've kind of rounded that corner now, but there have been some sad days,” Paula said.

Olinger said she and her husband were outsiders when they bought the store and moved to the community.

"We have met some good friends and customers over the years, and we really felt like we were accepted into the community," she said.

Watching kids get their first bicycles or people enter the world of biking were some of the most enjoyable moments, according to Paula and Bill. The 'road' that circles the inside of the store was the scene of several first time bike riders, and Ikemiya has no plans to remove the Bike Trax tradition.

One thing the Olingers won't miss is never having a Saturday off.

"Basically, we haven't had a Saturday off in 13 years, Bill Olinger said.

The Olingers purchased the bike store from original owner, Bob Suderman, in 1996. Bob had previously operated the Western Auto store from 1954 until 1974 when he re-opened as Bob's Cyclery in the G Street location that is now the dining room of the Main Street Cafe.

The store, renamed to "Bike Trax" operated there until 2000, when it moved to its current 11th Street site in the building that was formerly Martens Chevrolet.

Bill Olinger and Suderman are second cousins, so it was a family affair in the early days, he said. "When we needed to get away, Bob and my mom would come down and run the store for us."

Ikemiya said there is a lot of symmetry among all three sets of owners. Ikemiya and Suderman serve as board members of the Sequoia Safety Council, and he feels a kindred spirit with the Olingers, too. "I share a lot of commonalities with Paula on the business side of this operation, and with Bill on the technical side," Ikemiya said. "I think we'll make a good team."

Ikemiya and bicycles have a long history. He is the co-chair of the Lions Club Blossom Bike Ride, now in its 20th year. Ikemiya said more than 1,100 riders from throughout the state participated in last year's ride.

"I'm looking at this as a way to approach retirement," he said, although he said he continues to work in the fruit and real estate businesses and has no current retirement plans.

A grand opening celebration is planned on Saturday, Feb. 28.