LEXINGTON, Ohio – Y-Not Cycling in Lexington has been in the cycling business for 68 years. They take pride in offering customers the cycling parts and repairs they need, but they don’t just stop there. Two recent employees have pedaled their expertise to bigger markets.
Twenty-six-year-old Josh McKinney for example, works for Trek in Waterloo, Wisconsin now. His wheels started rolling when he was 17, when he landed a job as a mechanic for Y-Not Cycling in Lexington. McKinney had just bought his first mountain bike before landing the job. He said he was in the shop frequently asking questions and learning about his new bike.
“It seemed like it was a great place to work. I guess I bothered Eric (Petersen) enough until I got the job,” said McKinney.
McKinney worked there through high school and college for the next seven years. He started as a mechanic and moved into customer services, where Trek has him working now. His job title for the national bike company is Warranty Claims and Technical Services Representative. At the end of February, McKinney will have been with Trek for two years.
Y-Not Cycling Owner Eric Petersen said the shop is a great place to learn about bikes. The shop offers hands-on experience and actually requires new hires to engage in online training seminars through Trek, since the shop carries their product.
“You almost have to. They have electronic bikes that you hook up to the program. It’s getting to be really technical so you have to be online training,” said Petersen.
Matt Young, 25, also works for Trek in Waterloo, Wisconsin as an International Technical and Customer Services Representative. He started working for Y-Not when he was 17 years old and stayed for six years through high school and college. His experience was similar to McKinney’s.
“I loved working for Eric. He kind of defines that bike culture of hard work, take care of the customer, make people happy and have fun doing it,” commented Young.
Petersen, McKinney and Young all have one characteristic in common, despite working for two different companies: their love for riding bikes. They each associate with freedom when on a bike.
Petersen rides his bike at least two to three times per week because of the freedom he feels when he’s able to arrive somewhere under his own power.
McKinney and Young agree.
“I feel free when I ride. You just let everything go for that period of time. We’re going for a ride later today actually and it’s 35 degrees out,” said Young.
“Freedom. You can clear your mind and just have fun. It’s relaxing and enjoyable,” shared McKinney.
Petersen is proud of the two young men who continued on their professional cycling industry paths. “I’m pretty biased but I’m proud of the fact that two of our employees are with Trek now,” he said.
Y-Not Cycling is located on 64 Main St. in Lexington and 133 S. Main St. in Mount Vernon. For store hours and to browse their products visit their website.
