Bike Rental Business Finds Success In Adams.
 Drew McAuliffe is finding success with his seasonal bike rental shop on Park Street. Tourists from around the country are renting bikes to cruise the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. |
ADAMS, Mass. — Village Bike Rentals allows visitors and residents of all ages to rent bikes and cruise the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail.
Owners of the 31 Park St. business, Drew and Bridget McAuliffe have been open since mid-June. Drew McAuliffe said the seasonal business was only open on the weekends, but has moved to seven days a week.
McAuliffe, who teaches in Newton, said a seasonal bike rental shop is perfect for a teacher and avid cyclist.
"We do a lot of cycling in the Berkshires and we came up here in the fall last year and thought we would give this a try," McAuliffe said. "There seems to be a need and the trail is right behind us."
McAuliffe said they wanted to ride on the trail on their initial visit but didn't bring their bikes.
"We came up here in November. It was a nice day and we didn't bring our bikes so we went to eh rail trail thinking there must be somebody who rents bikes around here and ... there really wasn't," he said.
The shop rents Bianchi hybrid bikes and McAuliffe said they have bikes for everyone.
"They are designed for comfort riding for all levels of rider so someone who is a casual rider will feel very comfortable on this bike as well as an experienced rider," he said. "It's a higher-end hybrid and it comes from a well known manufacture.”
McAuliffe said when people come in to rent they are provided with a helmet and a bike lock and are fitted for the right size bike. He said even kids under the age of 7 have an option.
"If you are a little guy or girl and you can't keep up then we can attach this trail-a-bike directly to the mom or dad," he said. "The little kid is able to pedal and maybe help mom or dad a little bit or just sit there.”
Adult bike rentals start at $22 for two hours. More rates can be found on their website.
McAuliffe said he hopes the business can help stimulate the local economy. He said when people rent he points out great places to eat in Adams or establishments along the trail such as Whitney's Farm Stand and the Bass Water Grille.
"They can get the bike and have lunch at the daily grind or go up to the Adams Ale House and instead of just passing through Adams they will come to Adams because it is a place where they can rent a bike," he said.
McAuliffe said he has rented to people from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Montana, New Jersey, Florida, and even Hawaii. Much of his clientele comes from resorts and hotels such as Vacation Village, Cranwell and the Porches.
"I think people like the idea that they don't have to bring their own bikes in the car," he said. "If you have a family with two kids ... and you don't want to put a greasy bike in the back of the car, this really works.”
He sees a real value in the business and hopes he can help bring more people to the rail trail, Adams, and Berkshire County.
"This is a resource for people in Adams and outside of Adams," McAuliffe said. "It is good for all of us in Adams when we can bring people in and keep them from passing through."
Tags: new business, bike path, bike rentals, Park Street,
