Whether a weekend recreational rider or an elite cycling enthusiast, the staff at Riverside Cycle greets every customer the same way.
"We try to start a conversation to get to know the person. Where do you like to ride? Do you want to ride with groups or get competitive?" said Aaron Millett, the owner of Riverside Cycle with locations in Newburyport and Haverhill.
"No matter the type of cycling you want to do, it is all about being sure they get the right bike," Millett said.
Riverside Cycle, which began in 1996 in Newburyport, is a Greenbelt business partner and offers a discount on some products for our members.
It was a personal passion for cycling that led Millett to start his business. "I've been riding since I was little," said Millett, who can often be found mountain biking on his favorite trail at Fort Rock in Exeter, New Hampshire.
Millett and his staff coach and mentor young mountain bike riders on the Newburyport Thunderbirds and Haverhill Veloraptors. Both are part of the New England High School Cycling Association, though riders start as young as the fifth grade.
The Riverside Racing Team, a non-profit arm of the business, has over 100 members who have cycled all over the country. One rider completed a 100-mile event on Mount Rainier in Washington.
Riverside Cycle’s teams participate in many charity rides. "We give back to our community each year, and help our customers do the same," said Millett.
Most notable is the Pan Mass Challenge, which benefits Dana-Farber cancer research. Riverside Cycle’s team has raised $600,000 for the PMC over seven years.
For more information on Riverside Cycle stores in Haverhill and Newburyport, visit their website.