HISTORY OF ALTERNATIVE BIKE
Alternative Bike was started in the winter of 1992 by Ryan G. Belanger as a way to live his life with purpose. Being tired of always getting in trouble Ryan discovered bicycling as the vehicle to a better life. After thousands of miles riding and losing 50lbs and realizing his physical potential Ryan found a new sense of emotional peace.
With this new found direction and purpose Ryan realized his joy for cycling was something positive he could share with others. First he tried to reach out to the local cycling community, but was turned away because he did not fit the ideal image of a cyclist, as a result no one in the bicycle business would hire this rebellious, 17 year old with no experience who eats too much. So with out a job and his new passion Ryan thought, “what a great opportunity to start a business?”
Driven to prove himself, the support of his family and a great deal of hard work he started Alternative Bike Shop in the winter of 1992. First he printed business cards and set up shop in his Mother’s basement by painted the floor and putting up two sheets of pegboard and there it was his very first bike shop. He then decided to tell everyone about his big idea of creating a bike shop that was accepting of all those interested in cycling.
After relocating the shop several times to the current location and a loan of $750.00 he had enough money to place his first order of 3 Pink Mtn. Bikes and a few small parts on closeout. For days all he could think about was the big order from the bike company. But the day it arrived there was a very serious problem, a 45 foot tractor trailer was parked in his Mother’s driveway and driver refused to leave unless he took the entire order, which listed 21 bikes and some small parts. This was too much to handle how could Ryan, a junior in high school pay for $5000.00 worth of bikes and get this truck out of his mother parking spot before she got home? The answer very logical, Ryan called everyone in his family and sold them a pink bike. Needless to say the company intentionally over shipped the order and gave Ryan time to pay the bill. Within two weeks, Ryan sold everyone in his family a bike and by the end of that year Ryan sold over $75,000.00 in bikes and parts.
Eight years later, Ryan had a business that was a very positive and busy place in the local community. Working 100 plus hour weeks he could not keep up with the demands of this growing business, feeling overwhelmed frustrated Ryan was ready to quit, he knew the business needed more then he could give of himself. He knew cycling had a tremendously positive effect on those he helped so he was compelled to create a vision that others would want to embrace as their own.
Today Alternative Bike has very dedicated staff, two locations, and thousand of clients though out New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts.