Young bike shop owner attempts to make difference in community
May 14th, 2008, 4:43 pm · Post a Comment · posted by dbrannan
Jason Watkins is an energetic young business owner, attempting to make a difference in Downtown Alton.
Monday night, the 25-year-old Watkins revealed a new Team Cycling Kit for his Wild Trak Bike shop-sponsored racing team at a “gear release party” at Bossanova in Alton. Russ Smith, owner of Bossanova, hosted the event.
Watkins said Smith, one of the sponsors for the team, put on a great party.
“We had a D.J., laser lights and smoke equipment,” Watkins said. “It was a lot of fun.”
Watkins explained his racing team: “The team of about 30 riders competes in local and regional races including mountain bike, cyclocross, BMX and road races as well as criteriums, triathlons, skate park demos and judged freestyle runs. We’re mainly interested in enjoyment of riding, but we win our share of events, too.”
Several of the Wild Trak Bikes team members meet at 6 p.m. every Wednesday when the shop closes. Watkins extended an invitation for others to attend.
Ian Sasek, 21, of Alton, a shop employee, said he enjoys the ride. “It’s a ‘no-drop’ ride, which means that no one is left behind. It’s a good time for everyone.”
Watkins said as many as 25 riders often show up for the weekly ride.
Watkins has been on a bike since he was a young child. He was 20 when he took over Wild Trak in 2003.
“Business has tripled in the last five years,” he said. “We have done it by promoting bike riding, giving people a reason to ride and making it more fun for the community. We hope to have a race in the area by next year.”
