Upchurch Turns Love of Cycling Into New Bike-based Business

The Bike Route

Owner: Ben Upchurch

Address: 3660 N. Front Street, Suite 3, Fayetteville

Phone: 479-966-4050

E-mail: [email protected]

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday

Startup date: April 23

After spending more than eight years as a stay-at-home dad, Ben Upchurch was ready to start a new chapter in his life. He thus turned to another one of his loves, cycling.

That’s essentially the backstory of The Bike Route, a new retailer featuring Cannondale, Cervelo and Electra bicycles. The store also carries Mavic and Shimano products among its various brands of wheels, helmets, shoes and other accessories.

“I’m addicted to the sport,” said Upchurch, who has raced competitively for almost two decades.

Upchurch also gets a rush of sorts by helping others get acquainted with cycling.

“Whether it’s a kid buying his first bike or a middle-aged woman buying something to pedal around the neighborhood,” he said, “seeing that act of enjoyment is what got me here.”

The Bike Route has seven employees and occupies a space of about 2,300 SF. That includes what Upchurch said is the only local space dedicated to professional fitting, and a “social” area with tables, chairs and a large flatscreen TV.

The Bike Route deals in sales and service for all makes and models, though Upchurch said there’s a slight emphasis on road riding and racing, as well products for triathlon enthusiasts. The Bike Route also offers its clients delivery service upon request.

Upchurch said he hopes to have a Web site up and running by the end of June. He currently uses a Facebook page to connect with customers.

UA SIFE Team Back on Track

A University of Arkansas Students in Free Enterprise team placed second runner-up in the opening round of the 2010 SIFE USA National Exposition competition, held May 11-13 in Minneapolis.

 “Last year was only the second time in our SIFE team’s history that we did not win a regional championship and advance to national competition,” faculty adviser Susan Bristow said in a news release. “The experience humbled us and brought with it a renewed sense of purpose.”

Participating students were Jordan Frevert, Katie Goll, Brian McCaster, Michael Miller, Shelby Mohs, David Noudaranouvong, Meagan Stellpflug, Jared Thomas, Kaleah Thomas, and Joey Van Matre.

Teams were given 24 minutes to present their projects to a panel of judges, then subjected to a question-and-answer period. SIFE is a nonprofit organization active on more than 1,800 campuses worldwide.

The UA team also placed third nationally in the Waste Management-sponsored environmental sustainability special topic competition – under the direction of UA environmental sustainability criterion manager Morgan Stellpflug – and among the top 20 in the Campbell Soup-sponsored “Let’s Can Hunger Challenge” under the direction of student Harry Wilmoth. 

Submit tips about new businesses in Northwest Arkansas to Rob Keys at [email protected] or 479-725-0394, ext. 323.