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By Brian Morelli
Iowa City Press-Citizen
Geoff Perrill's first job was working on tune-ups at a bike shop in Storm Lake. He was 14.
Since then, he has worked in four bike shops as a repairman and salesman. He has raced on the amateur circuit, rode RAGBRAI 16 times, and March 2 he opened his own store, Geoff's Bike and Ski, 816 S. Gilbert St. He values being part of the biking community.
"I've been a bicycle enthusiast for a long time. I saw this as a good opportunity to make my passion my career. It's a lot more fun to work when you're excited about it," said Perrill, adding that he also snowboards and skis.
Geoff's Bike and Ski
• Where: 816 S. Gilbert St. Iowa City
• Hours: 10 a.m to 8 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
• Contact: 338-7202.
Perrill ran the bike and ski portion of Racquet Master Bike and Ski, 321 S. Gilbert St. However, development plans for the building led several businesses to find new homes and Racquet Master to split up. Racquet Master remains open and will move to Rebel Plaza.
Perrill's shop carries a range of equipment levels, gear, apparel and accessories. His store was developed to accommodate bikers and skiers from elite competitors to novices to families, he said.
With spring in full swing, bike needs are a priority.
"This time of year is one of the busiest because people involved with cycling, as a lifestyle, want to get ready in early spring before bike season starts," Perrill said.
A number of clients are getting prepared for RAGBRAI, especially with the weeklong adventure visiting Johnson County, he said. Jerseys, bikes, attachable bags, computers and apparel are popular gear, and many people have scheduled tune-ups.
Early in the season the store has a 24- to 48-hour turnaround, but closer to RAGBRAI scheduling might get pushed back two to three weeks, Perrill said.
"The best time to have your biked tuned is in the spring because there might be maintenance issues that could arise and damage your bike," he said.
Perrill's store opened near World of Bikes, 723 S. Gilbert St.
"We don't anticipate a change in business because of that," World of Bikes assistant store manager Ed Henry said.
Henry said he sees it as a business relocating and not as new competition.
"I would rather think of us as being with them and working against things like Scheel's (All Sports) or Wal-Mart that sell a lot more quantity, but do not offer the service or expertise that independent bike shops can," he said.
"They aren't enemies of any kind."
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Source: http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060404/NEWS01/604040306/1079
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