Friends of the Flock: Trek Bicycle Store of Anchorage

We wouldn't be the Black Sheep without our flock! We're honored and stoked to share this interview with Travis Morin, Sales Manager and Lead Service Writer of Trek Bicycle Store Anchorage. We think y'all will make fast friends.

Anchorage, AK | Est. 2013

Don't let the big name fool you—this particular Trek store is Alaska-owned and operated and the lifeblood of the local cycling community in Rage City (aka Anchorage). The Trek Bicycle Store of Anchorage specializes in quality bicycle sales and service while remaining dedicated to bringing the joy of two wheels to everyone from beginners to seasoned experts.

They believe their success is directly proportional to their community involvement. Next time you participate in an Anchorage-area cycling event, chances are you will spot the friendly Trek logo among the event sponsors.

Tell us a brief history of your bike shop—your origin story.

We opened in March of 2013 to expand the Trek bicycle offerings out of our then sister store, Chain Reaction Cycles (no relation to the web store). 

What niche do you fill in your community? What's your jam?

Hands down it's building and supporting the cycling community here. We host two monthly group rides here and here, put on Winter Fat Bike Series, and host an annual bike art show. Aside from the events we organize, we also sponsor things like the Gold Nugget Triathlon, Bike For Women, Singletrack Advocates and the Arctic Bike Club to name a few.

Have a fun trail story to share—something funny/amazing/unbelievable that’s happened while out riding your bike or bikepacking?

Mid-summer several years back, a couple buddies and I decided to attempt to link up with a group of friends renting a cabin on the Lost Lake trail. This was right after I got off work one Saturday, and it takes about 2 hours to get to the trail head from Anchorage. None of us were equipped for this overnighter so we had to prepare, which naturally took some time. It's getting late and we haven't even left town yet. But Alaskan summers have a ton of daylight—ever heard of the "Midnight Sun?" So we weren't too worried about not being able to see the trail, though we knew we'd still need headlights. We wound up getting to the trailhead just before midnight, thus dubbing this chaotic adventure and ones to come: "Midnight Missions."

What’s your favorite trail to ride on your home turf?

Though not in Anchorage, I love Lost Lake! It's two hours away.

What’s a bikepacking route or trail you have your bucket list?

Nothing in particular I must do, but Baja Divide is definitely up there!

What’s your current favorite bike to rip and why?

My All-City Cosmic Stallion 

What bike do you *wish* you could get your hands on to rip and why?

More All-City love—that magenta/chartreuse/black Electric Queen with the color match fork would be awesome. Despite working at a Trek Concept Store, I own no Trek bicycles...

As a beloved bike shop vendor of Oveja Negra bags, you are part of the flock! What makes you a “black sheep?” How do you vibe with the concept of counter-culture, going against the grain, standing out in the crowd, being EXTRAordinary in your field, work, community and life? 

I'm a mixed bag, or Wack Pack™, if you will. I feel like my hobbies and interests are kinda all over the place. Of course, there's the cyclist side of me (commuting/bikepacking/bike polo), but I also play ice hockey and have a nerdy side to me (board games, Magic: The Gathering). Mostly a hip-hop head, but I enjoy several genres. One of my favorite things about music is stumbling upon samples/interpolations, or hearing something new and remembering what sample it contains.

I guess what I'm saying is, "I'm only doing good when I'm having fun, and I don't have to please no one." - Joan Jett

Anything else people of the world should know about you, your shop, your service, your style?

I once competed in the World Yo-yo Contest...

You can check out Trek Bicycle Store Anchorage's website here and follow them on Instagram!