Mark Welgos is an Aspenite that enjoys all that the mountains have to offer, no matter the season. It comes as no surprise that his passion for adventure ultimately resulted in his business, Ride Aspen. Mobile and convenient, Ride Aspen is a bike shop offering bike repairs, rentals, sales, and services. With the weather warming up and most locals trading in skis for cycles, we thought we’d catch up with Mark and take a few questions out for a spin.
We love that you offer Bike to Work Day services for local businesses. Tell us more about that. In a valley that believes in health, wellness, and recreation, we have found a motivational tool for employers. We have two different models that businesses have enjoyed! First, Ride Aspen offers a bike to work day concept where employees bike and/or bring bikes to work and they can get serviced while working in the office! These employees would typically need to spend their time off work (and money) trekking the bikes to get tuned up for the season, and now businesses can offer this as a work perk! The second option is Ride Aspen guided tours and bike rentals where you can take your whole company on an adventure in Aspen! Anything from cruisers and cocktails to biking up to picnic in the mountains.
Sign us up for cruisers and cocktails! We’ve spotted your Ride Aspen trailer around town. What areas of the RFV do you serve? We serve all through the Roaring Fork Valley.
Photo by Brooke Casillas Photography
What is one of the most memorable rides you've had? My first mountain bike. It taught me that I had a passion not only for biking but learning about the inner workings of a bike. It’s not always about the bike but the experience it gives you.
What about bikes you’ve ridden on. Any favorites? We are always researching and looking for the newest and best bikes on the market! Our current obsessions are the new Yamaha e-bikes and Allied Cycle Works road bikes. Yamaha power assist bicycles have the motor quality of the Yamaha we have all known and loved for years. When you put that into a bike, you are good to go! As for Allied, they are all manufactured in the USA with timeless quality and design. Plus, they have endless options for a custom bike build.
Where is your favorite place to bike? The new trails in Snowmass have opened so much terrain for riding. All the trails are designed and maintained to allow for all levels of riders. A good Smuggler Hunter Creek loop ride never hurts either!
Photo by Brooke Casillas Photography
Favorite time of year to hop on the bike? With bike season being my busiest time of year here at Ride Aspen, I hit the trails when things slow down, the colors change, and I can reward myself from a crazy summer!
You just welcomed a son at the end of 2018. Congrats! At what age do you think those training wheels are coming off? Training wheels? He’s already biking at 6 months! No, not really. Honestly, balance bikes are amazing for the youngest riders, as they teach children to balance as well as basic bike skills at a young age. We have some great options to offer if you’re interested!
Follow along with Mark and Ride Aspen on Instagram, and visit the Ride Aspen website for more details on tours, services, rentals, and repairs.
