Shop Local: Zion Cycles, in Springdale, Utah, offers bike rentals, service, information, guides, and more.

Editor's Note:

Print magazines and brick-and-mortar bike shops go together like single speeds and denim, groms and scabby shins, tire inserts and profanity - so it should come as no surprise that, even though we don’t have a print magazine (right now), we’re working on a new series highlighting independent bike shops. We think local shops are great and we want them to succeed in this constantly changing marketplace, so we're doing what we can to help them with the bully pulpit our title affords us. Have a shop you love you think we should cover? Tell us about them here !

Zion Cycles has been a stalwart in the Springdale, Utah, bike scene for over twenty years, providing locals and tourists alike with gear, information, and guidance, all given with a welcoming and endearing dose of quirky personality. We spoke with current owners Scott and Heidi to learn more about this hub for all things bikes nestled under the red rock cliffs of Zion National Park.

Can you give us a quick history of your shop?

The shop was started by a good friend thirteen years before we took it over. He created a reliable, friendly shop for locals and visitors alike to visit, just outside the gates of Zion National Park. The history of the shop supported the Free Ride and Trail community as things developed and grew. Josh Bender was a frequent visitor. Heidi and I wanted to keep the local bike shop around, and took over operation and ownership in 2016. We continued to support the local community with bike service, sales, volunteering and donating to community events. Our focus was getting people on bikes and seeing Zion by bike.

What makes your shop really stand out? What’s unique about you?

Once the pandemic was in full swing, and the access into the park was by foot, private shuttle, or bike, our competition in town was multiplied ten-fold. We pivoted where needed, but ultimately stuck with our core purpose of community and being a full service bike shop with a diversity of bike offerings, from mountain bike, road, gravel, kids, hybrid and e-bike rentals. We also offer shuttles, and guided trips.

In 2021 we started working with the Zion Forever Project on the development and structure of trails located on the east side of Zion National Park. There is an ownership group that has donated private land into a conservation easement creating a buffer off the park boundary and giving an opportunity to build mountain biking trails. We just had the grand opening of Phase Two in July and have now logged thirty five miles of total trails to date, with more to come. Applecross is the trail name of the trails that can be found on Trailforks

What makes your local riding scene special?

We are a strong yet small group of riders in a sea of amazing outdoor opportunities, with Zion National Park as our backyard (arguably the most scenic bike ride in North America), the infamous Gooseberry Mesa, Guacamole trails, and, of course, Redbull Rampage just down the road.

If you could change one thing in mountain biking right now, what would it be?

The overstock of bikes, and fluctuations of pricing of parts.

What do you wish you could tell all your customers (could be something as simple as “wash your bike before you bring it in” or as deep and heartfelt as you want)

That we appreciate their support and that they are at the heart of why we are in business, so please continue to support us with any maintenance, or new parts or bikes that they may need.

What’s your mechanics’ beverage of choice?

Scott: Cold

Emily: Free Tequila

Jimmy: Top Chico and Prickly Pear Margaritas

Sean: Lukewarm Tap Water

Any questions we didn’t ask that you’d love to talk about?

The relationship between businesses that rely on our public lands for their customers to recreate in and the Land Management agencies. How do we support them in their needs and goals as well as continuing the support of trail development and maintenance.

Any advice to folks who want to work in a bike shop?

That passion and love for bikes is shown and experienced in different ways and supporting the customer and meeting them at their experience level will help enrich and strengthen the support for bikes as a whole. To succeed in the bike industry, it's essential to lead with passion rather than focusing solely on financial gain. When you genuinely care about the work you do and the products you provide, customers can see that, and it builds trust and loyalty. Passionate service creates repeat customers and strong client relationships, which naturally lead to financial success. If you prioritize passion, the financial rewards will follow as a byproduct of your dedication and enthusiasm.

Where do you want to see your shop go in the future? Expansions? More community involvement? What are you looking forward to?

This question will be answered in a follow up article in a year from now. Lets just say I want to give the community that works and lives in tourist destinations and opportunity to have long term goals and careers in the industry.

If you're in the Zion National Park area, stop by Zion Cycles, say "Hi", and see what they're all about. Zion Cycles is located at 868 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale, UT 84767.