Middletown's Newest Bike Shop Pedals Into The Future

With its gallery-like atmosphere, Trek Bicycles, located in Middletown's Union Square Plaza, is different than most bike shops. “The idea is to give an impression of being open and bright,” says Manager Scott Hawxhurst. 

The high-end bike shop opened in November 2013. During the long winter the team spent fine-tuned details. “Now that the spring has come, we feel prepared to do anything,” says Hawxhurst. 

Trek is owned by Kathy Pena, owner of Brielle Cyclery, which has been in business since 1971. Pena also opened Brielle Cyclery's Asbury Park location in 2007.

The Middletown location is a “concept” Trek store, serving as a showcase of their entire product and service line. There is a full-service shop for repairs, customizations and other needs. Visitors can even relax in the lounge while repairs are completed or spouses conduct business. The lounge is comfortable and inviting, with two leather couches and a large monitor playing music from the streaming service Pandora.

Trek specializes in bicycles for elite competitors, which feature impressive electronic shifters and hydraulic brakes. The cables are internal, giving the bicycle a modern, streamlined look. Patrick Connolly (who manages the shop alongside Hawxhurst) said, “This is where bikes are going in the future.”

However, Trek doesn't limit itself to the specialty niche. They strive to appeal to everyone from beginners to experts by showcasing bicycles for children, beach cruisers and mountain bikes. The clientele consists mostly of enthusiasts, and families who visit with an idea of what they're looking for. After narrowing down the choices with assistance from Hawxhurst and Connolly, customers are encouraged to don a helmet and take a cautious test ride. Hawxhurst says, “I think what separates us is putting the customer first and treating them the way you want to be treated. Going out of our way to make the customer happy is what Kathy ingrains into her employees.”

Hawxhurst and Connolly have expertise in all areas of cycling. “That's important to us. It helps us fuel our love of the job. We're surrounded by the things that we think about all the time. That's part of the fun,” Hawxhurst says.

The response to the shop so far has been “phenomenal,” says Hawxhurst. In addition to the hope of being as successful as the Brielle location, the shop's goal is to build a presence and continue to stimulate the cycling culture in Middletown through activities like group riding. Hawxhurst leads group rides on Mondays at 6:30 in local parks such as Huber and Hartshorne Woods. He's also planning a Sunday morning group ride which will begin in Poricy Park's Oak Hill Road location and lead into more rural areas of Holmdel and Colts Neck.

For Hawxhurst, who grew up racing dirtbikes, working for Trek since 2010 has been an avenue to pursue a lifelong interest. He says, “I believe in doing what you love for a living. If you're happy, that's worth more than most paychecks.”