AKRON, Ohio - Dirty River Bicycle Works, a new specialty bicycle shop, is opening in Akron's North Side Arts District.

The shop, located at 21 Furnace St. in the Cascade Lofts, is one of the first to move into a large interior space at the Lofts set to become an urban market, said store owner Ryan Adams.

To see the space, you can attend Dirty River's grand opening with ribbon-cutting on Friday, June 2, at 11 a.m. A party with a DJ, giveaways, test rides, races and games will start at 4 p.m.

What's different about Dirty River Bicycle Works? Its test-ride approach, which means customers can try out almost everything in the store before buying.

"We've got all kinds of unique and interesting stuff, not things you normally see," said Adams, whose business card reads "Chief Tread Officer." "We're setting up systems and ways for people to try almost anything. We have a test-ride saddle system. Come and try stuff out. If you like it, take it home."

The shop also offers full-service bike repair. Adams worked as a mechanic for 17 years and later, driven by a passion for bikes, served as service director at Eddy's Bike Shop, considered the largest trek and specialized bike shop in Ohio.

Still, he researched the viability of a specialty bike store in Akron, consulting the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study's 2016 bike plan, which takes an in-depth look at Greater Akron's 108 miles of hike-and-bike paths.

Adams found that despite the Towpath Trail cutting right through town, Akron lacks a nearby bike-gear vendor with strong mechanical skills. And, with Akron's push to make its neighborhoods more walkable and bikeable, Adams and his wife, Kelley, got to work.

Adams chose the name Dirty River Bicycle Works as a nod to the Cuyahoga River, which is still among the dirtiest rivers, but also to the positive connotation the word "dirty" has in off-road and gravel biking.

To avoid contributing to the river's pollution, the store will carry green, biodegradable lubes and solvents. It will cater to three popular biking styles:

casual cruising;

fast and far, for all types of surfaces

down and dirty, for fat bikes (with oversized tires for riding on soft terrain) and all terrain-bikes.

The couple handpicked everything in the store, which includes specialty handle bars, seats, peddles, helmets, gloves, clothing, shoes and more.

Dirty River's clothing line is spandex-free, featuring breathable technical clothing -- including underwear called "liners" -- that looks like everyday wear.

"It's kind of a newer concept," Adams said. "You can be ready for a 100-mile ride and then walk into a store and not look like a shrink-wrapped sausage."

In addition to the grand opening, Dirty River is partnering with two relatively new downtown businesses to host an unusual bike ride.

The Downward Spiral, set for 5:30-8:30 p.m. June 8, begins at Do Good Yoga at 106 N. Main St. at North Side, where attendees will participate in 45 minutes of yoga. They'll then saddle up their bikes across the street at Dirty River and Adams will lead a 10-mile off-the-beaten-path, nooks-and-crannies tour of downtown Akron, riding on- and off-road.

The tour ends up at High St. Hop House, where riders will enjoy a complimentary, cold, craft brew and hear live music. Tickets run $15-$31 and are available here.

"It's a more interesting night than you usually get, and you'll go to at least one place you've never been before," Adams said.

Dirty River Bicycle Works will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the summer. For more information, visit Dirty River Bicycle Works or call 330-990-9300.



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