Life is a cycle, and Kyle Lippiatt is enjoying the ride.
He had two careers before opening Pedal! Bicycle Co. in Chesapeake’s Great Bridge area. He was a florist decorator and a high school economics teacher at Nansemond River High School in Suffolk before “shifting into the right gear” by finding a career in what has become his passion — riding bicycles.
In 2020, Lippiatt’s cousin introduced him to cycling and gave him an old yellow Trek 2300. Lippiatt said that his cousin thought it would be good for his mental wellness after going through a divorce and leaving his teaching career.
“I fell in love with riding the bike. I met hundreds of great people, including my fiancée,” he said. “I loved the peace it brought and being disconnected from all technology.”
Lippiatt’s affection for the pastime grew when he discovered the competitive side of cycling. Now, his love of biking is a mix of the athletic part of the sport and the exploration of different places.
His newfound passion led him to take a job managing East Coast Bicycles in Norfolk for three years. Eventually, Lippiatt wanted more.
He noticed there was a gap in bicycle service in Chesapeake, so he decided to open his own store. Lippiatt hired only one employee, Walt Gonzales. He said Gonzales is considered more of a partner because he used to own Fat Frogs bike shop and Peake Endurance, a performance training and service business.
“While Walt and I both have an affinity for road/triathlon and higher end products, we’re also both lovers of helping a small child get their first bike, a teenager getting their first ‘cool’ bike and finding the right size bike for someone getting into the sport side of cycling,” Lippiatt said. “We really listen to what customers are looking for and try to offer them the best expert advice and service in the area.”
Pedal! Bicycle Co. services all types of bikes and offers bike fittings, using two 3D cameras that film customers on a bike for instant feedback.
Owning a bike shop is extremely fulfilling and doesn’t feel like work, Lippiatt said. He never imagined this would be his career and thinks it’s special to play with other people’s toys.
“When you’re doing something you genuinely love and helping others in the process, you’re not really working,” Lippiatt said. “I love what I do.”
Lee Belote, [email protected]
If you go
What: Pedal! Bicycle Co.
Where: 565 Cedar Road, Suite 10, Chesapeake
Details: PedalBicycleCo.com
