While visiting Williamstown, Massachusetts last June I explored the town a bit on Basil, and, not far from where I stayed, I found this bike shop.
It was the end of the day, and I was very sorry, since my experience here was one of the best I’ve had anywhere. The owner, Nate, loves his shop, and his employees were cheerful and helpful, too.
I’d read about The Spoke online before I left — at least to the extent of knowing that it existed — but, as the geography in the area was unfamiliar, I had no idea where it was. When I spied these profiles as Basil and I rode by, I realized I’d stumbled upon it. (I think these are both Sun cycles: A Spider fat tire mountain bike, and a Tomahawk recumbent.)
There were more bikes out front, but I was eager to get inside.
And whew, what an “inside”! I stood in open-mouthed wonder for a couple of minutes, trying to take in all I could see. Basil settled in with the crowd, behind a tricycle and next to a mountain bike, and I asked about fluorescent gloves and blinking lights.
Nate had the gloves in stock in larger sizes, and then checked his catalogues to see what was available. Not much, as it turned out (and none at all in small sizes) so I’m just hoping that changes before my current set wear out. He took note of the helmet I was wearing, and enthusiastically showed me the newest version — which is now available in fluorescent yellow. (I immediately regretted having just purchased my non-fluorescent version right before this trip!)
See those open boxes? They look as if tons of good things are just waiting to be unpacked . . . actually, the whole store felt like that: Bikes! Bike stands! Gloves, jerseys, fittings, saddles! Tons of helmets (which are behind what you see here)!
Somehow The Spoke has managed to cram a huge inventory of bikes and accessories into a space that feels a lot like an old-time working shop. Stuff is happening here!
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked into a bike shop and encountered bored, indifferent, or completely disengaged employees. But not here: Nate and company appear to love what they’re doing, and it shows.
Williamstown is a relatively isolated college town in Northwestern Massachusetts, replete with narrow roads and with a forbidding winter; it’s wonderful to know that a great bike shop has survived and thrived there. Lucky Williamstown!