STEPHANIE HERZOG

In 1996, Malcolm Allen opened a small bicycle rental company on Cardinal Drive. Since his business was located on Orchid Island, Allen named it Orchid Island Bikes and Kayaks. Allen began by offering strictly rental service, and the business immediately gained popularity among locals with a taste for outdoor adventure. As customers fell in love with the top quality toys they rented, the rental end of the company gradually expanded into the selling of new equipment, and eventually into the full service bicycle, kayak and paddleboard business it is today.

From the moment Orchid Island Bikes and Kayaks first began, Allen has created a level of personal service to customers that is rare to find and difficult to maintain. When customers expressed enthusiasm but a lack of familiarity with some of their equipment, Allen incorporated lessons and regular demonstration days into the company’s offering.

Since bicycle enthusiasts often requested upgrades or repairs on their bikes, Orchid Island Bikes and Kayaks added a bicycle repair shop to their top of the line bicycle shop. Soon bikes and kayaks grew to include several lines of state of the art paddleboards, all available for rental or purchase.

As the company continued to expand, it inevitably outgrew its Cardinal Drive location, so seven years ago Allen opened a new store on Commerce Avenue at 12^th Street.

For several years Allen balanced his responsibilities and juggled his time between the two locations before finally consolidating all the various aspects of this multifaceted company into one hub in the heart of town. With the integration came an upgrade in space.  The Commerce Avenue store expanded from 3000 to 8000 square feet, which includes the sales showroom and equipment storage, as well as a center for repairs.

Even with such interest and success over the years, Allen found himself continually searching for a new way to reach out to the community and get people involved with outdoor activities such as bicycling. This led to an informal group of cyclists meeting up at Panera Bread and going on morning and evening rides together every week. As more and more cyclists of different skill levels expressed interest in joining the group, it eventually became a formal cycling club called Vero Cycling Inc. with offices, and most importantly, a regular schedule of rides.

The club features several rides every week, usually in the early morning and evening to avoid overheating in the afternoon sun.  The rides are organized at varying skill levels so everyone from beginners to experienced cyclists can participate.  A “Competitive” or “A” level ride averages 20-24 miles per hour, which will easily engage the most avid cyclist. For the slightly less athletic, the “B” or “Enthusiast” level rides peak at around 20 mph and are perfect for anyone seeking moderate exercise.  And last but not least, the “C” level rides are labeled “Recreational” for people at a beginner level, or those just looking for an easy cruise, and will soon be led by Allen himself every week.

Though this has been the first year for the Vero Cycling Inc. cycling club, already its popularity led Allen to agree to sponsor the club’s expenses its first year.  Allen and the president of Vero Cycling Inc. have opted to begin charging a small nominal fee next year, largely to cover insurance costs, but membership to the cycling club will be free until the end of this year in an effort to get as many people involved as possible.

The benefits of exercise are all but old news.  Every American is aware of the physical and psychological benefits of an occasional workout. So why is it that so many of us neglect our health by not getting enough exercise? The vast majority of the population would chalk it up to a lack of motivation and time.

Joining a cycling club neatly circumvents these obstacles by offering healthful exercise in the form of fun activity with a group of positive peers that easily grow into friends. Instead of dreading another hour on the same machine at the same gym, more and more of Vero’s savvy locals are trying out an alternative style of activity by joining the Vero Cycling Inc. cycling club.

With the hectic pace and the monotony of everyday life, no value can be placed on finding a new hobby with a positive impact on your mind, body and spirit. Whether just stopping in to explore what’s new in outdoor adventure outfitting, or trying out a new activity like kayaking lessons, or committing to your physical fitness by joining the cycling club (free membership all year!), Orchid Island Bikes and Kayaks has truly become part of the small town, personal charm that makes Vero Beach such a hidden treasure.