Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike

Looking to hop back on a bicycle and take a ride down the Red Rock Prairie Trail but need a little help — look no further than Corn Spokes Bike Co. in Monroe. Located on the corner of Taylor and Commerce Streets, the bike shop features rentals, sales and service for all things cycling.

“We have new and used kids bikes, traditional bikes and electric bikes,” owner Jenny Van Gelder said. “We have a couple of e-bike for rentals and we also service bikes and have accessories.”

Jenny Van Gelder, along with her husband Matt and son Elliot, have owned the building that formerly house the Munson Sinclair service station for a little while. After the previous tenant left they brainstormed what they could do with the commercial space on the square. Matt had a friend that got him into riding a few years ago and it sparked an idea for the available building.

“I became more passionate about it,” Matt said. “I tried to share it with my family, do family rides on all of the paved trails around and find some place fun to eat, which helps motivate.”

Since setting up shop the family has been busier than they anticipated with the community coming out in force to get their bikes in shape and ready to ride. The response has been encouraging to the Van Gelders and they hope to keep building on the momentum.

“There as a lot of people in the community that seemed excited that we were here,” Matt said. “They brought their bikes in and I don’t think had been riding recently but they were looking to ride again. To me it is exciting because I like to see more people on bikes. I had no idea there was such a demand for people to get their bikes service and get back out there”

Having the Red Rock Prairie Trail nearby also helps the new business. Although the trail isn’t much older than Corn Spokes Bike Co., it has a growing following with more and more people finding the new gem.

“It is exciting to hear people talk about the trail,” Jenny said. “A lot of people don’t know it is there so it if fun to talk to them about. It is a really nice trail.”

The shop has even set up social rides each week to help people meet fellow cyclist and take a ride on the trail. The group heads to Prairie City each Thursday to check out the farmers market and provide a social setting for area biker to meet up.

Corn Spokes Bike Co. is also accomodating electric bike users. E-bikes have become more popular for allowing cyclists – both young and old – to travel extra long distances by transferring much of the strenuous work to the bike, rather than the person operating it.

“Two to three years ago, you could ride all day and only see a few e-bikes,” Matt said. “Now it is the opposite.”

Along with being available for purchase, Corn Spokes Bike Co. also rents e-bikes for three hour spans. At a cost of just $25, Jenny said it is the perfect amount of time to ride to Prairie City, grab a bit to eat and make it back comfortably.

“It’s very doable in three hours,” Jenny said.

The bike shop is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. The shop is closed Tuesdays and Sundays. If someone is looking to rent an e-bike outside of those hours they are encouraged to email the shop to see if they can make it work.

As their journey begins, the Van Gelders are excited by the initial response and encouraged by the passion in community for what is ahead.

“We’ve got a lot of support in the community,” Matt said. “Everybody is excited.”