Cycling Legend John Howard Coming to Parvilla Cycles on Saturday

will be hosting a grand opening from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday where they will unveil the John Howard Performance Sports Training Center and Fit Studio.

The Edgewater bike shop opened earlier this year hoping to be the premiere cycling center not just in the Anne Arundel County area, but in the mid-Atlantic. The first step was to have a retail component—bike sales, cycling accessories and repair as well as a social component. They've sponsored several events and organized rides, including the weekly Monday night ladies ride. In addition, they offer certified coaching to help cyclists with individual training goals. 

In an , a co-owner, said that the second step  would be the opening of a training center for off-season riding. At the former 7-11 site, there was a large walk-in cooler space. Until now, that space was not being fully utilized by Parvilla. Now, it has been completely remodeled into a training center and bike fitting studio.

This Saturday, there are free one-hour demo classes at 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. for anyone to come in and try the new center (a bicycle is required). Reservations are requested and space is limited. Please email Sarah with the time you would prefer (or call the store 443-949-7130 for more information).

The Training Center is named after the legendary endurance athlete and cyclist extraordinaire John Howard, who will be in-person at Parvilla for the big reveal this Saturday. John, famed for his 152.2mph World Bicycle Speed Record also represented the U.S. during the Olympics (1968, 1972 and 1976 Summer Games) and is the only American to win a gold medal in cycling at the Pan American games. He is a 19-time U.S. National Cycling champion, won the 1981 Ironman Triathlon World Championship and co-founded The Race Across America (RAAM) which ends right here in Annapolis at City Dock each summer.

There's more

Don't overlook the Parvilla bike fitting studio. It exclusively features the  robotic GURU Dynamic Fit Unit (DFU). Parvilla is the only store in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and Washington, DC to have a DFU which has revolutionized the bike fitting process.

For more information, visit Parvilla Cycles, 3200 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater (between Pike Ridge Road and Solomons Island, near where the roads come together.