Somewhere Cycles opens in McCauley
Affordable, personable, and community-focused bike care
Tucked into a modest shopfront in McCauley is Edmonton’s newest bicycle repair shop, Somewhere Cycles. While bikes are powered by legs, chains, and gears, owner Kevin Schmidt proves his small operation can run on a big heart.
“Bikes transformed my life,” says Schmidt. “They changed how I approached the city. They changed how I approached the world.”
As a McCauley local, he has dreamed of using his years of bike repair experience to create a business that focuses on community building alongside the mechanics. For a neighbourhood like McCauley, that means engaging with all abilities, riders, and bike styles to come up with creative solutions that put families back on the road.
“I’ve wanted to open a bike shop for 10 years. Even more, I’ve wanted to be a hub. Somewhere for events and community, and where we can be advocates for biking.”
The notion of community building is part of the studio itself, as the striking workbench centrepiece is crafted out of lumber donated by the local restaurant OTTO.
“Ed [owner of OTTO] has been a tremendous help, I love the idea that this bench is like a seed of neighbourhood that’s fallen over here and taken root,” says Schmidt.
Following a bustling opening week, Somewhere Cycles is eager to fill its books with new bicycles, faces, and opportunities to get involved with other businesses, such as an educational pop-up outside Paper Birch’s Canadian Independent Bookstore Day celebrations on Saturday, April 26.
Besides repair and maintenance, riders can expect upcoming events like community group rides that encourage cycling through McCauley’s diverse terrain and trails.
“The group rides I’m planning are more of a casual, experience-based ride than sports-focused,” Schmidt explains. “It’s something more like coffee in the park followed by an all-abilities ride and other fun experiences.”
There is no better time than spring to walk in for a tune-up. Somewhere Cycles’ experience in everything from e-bikes to trolleys means no ride is off the table, and every conversation offers something new to learn.
“People are welcome to bring anything in,” Schmidt says. “We’ll work together to make a meaningful decision about how you want to ride.”
Somewhere Cycles
10816 95 St
Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm
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Congratulations Kevin!
I've been wanting to repaint my omafiets! I'll definitely have to come visit :)