A new "Support Local Spotlight" is here for your enjoyment. I want to get you, my reader, more information on various businesses throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area. Who is the person/people behind the scenes of your favorite boutique? Who is running the newest kid's hot spot in town? Have a favorite pizza place? Coffee shop? Toy store? Hopefully you get the idea.
This month's "Support Local Spotlight" is with Tim Wagner, the owner of “Up North Bike Rentals.” It's my hopes that while reading through this short interview you get a better sense of the person running his or her own small business right here in our community.
Macaroni KID: When did you open Up North Bike Rentals and what inspired you to do so?
Tim Wagner: "My brother and I spent our childhoods riding and tinkering with bikes. We rode year-round. The slippery, ice packed dirt road we lived on never slowed us down in the winter. We would make jumps out of dirt piles, tree stumps, and old lumber. I always found a lot of joy in biking. There was also an element of utility. Often times, it was how we got to and from sports practice and after school activities. Interests come and go over the years, but biking has stuck with me throughout my life. When I began exploring the idea of starting a business, I was looking to combine something I had a passion for with the needs of the community and area. Up North Bike Rentals was born and we opened in May of 2021."
MK: What type of bike rentals do you offer?
TW: "Currently we offer surrey bikes, e-bikes, bikes, and bike trailers for rent. The surrey bikes are a four-wheeled pedal powered bike. We have 2 and 4 pedal versions and each holds two small children up front. Everyone sits in close proximity and they have been great for families. We have a scavenger hunt game that we send with young children with pictures of things to find along the trail. The e-bikes have been popular with adults young and old, of all physical fitness levels and with the electric power assistance, they allow people to ride further and see more of the trail. We have pedal bikes in 6 different sizes from child through adult, so we can outfit the entire family or group on the proper size bike. Currently, we have three child/youth sizes and three adult sizes. Finally, for the youngest of riders, we have bike trailers that can be pulled behind either the e-bikes or bikes. The trailers hold two small children plus feature a storage area for purses/bags and snacks."
MK: E-bikes seem to be all the big buzz this year, so what exactly are they? How far/long does the
electric component work?
TW: "E-bikes continue to grow in popularity. In its basic form, an e-bike is essentially a bicycle with an electric motor, controller, and battery. The electric motor kicks in and provides assistance at varying levels that the rider controls while pedaling. The different levels of assistance change the speed and resistance of the bike. You can toggle between having the assistance on and off and ride in a way that suits your comfort and ability. Our rental bikes are equipped with an upgraded battery package that has a maximum 100-mile range. The range of any e-bike battery is a function of the rider, riding style, terrain, wind, and other factors. Adults young and old have really enjoyed the e-bike experience. They have been a game changer for anyone that enjoys biking but has a limitation keeping them from being able to
pedal an “acoustic” bike."
MK: Do you do bike sales as well? (In person and/or online?)
TW: "We rent and sell the Electric Bike Co. brand of e-bike. The e-bikes are all built-to-order in the US with a pretty quick turnaround time. We have a design center in our shop where we can build the bike on screen, so customers can see exactly what the finished product will look like with any chosen upgrades and accessories. We usually have a few new bikes on display at any given time for customers to see different options. We work with our customers to understand their riding style and explain the differences between the different models."
MK: Aside from biking, how do you choose to spend your time in the beautiful BLA?
TW: "I love the outdoors and the BLA is definitely a great place for anything outdoors. Like many other businesses, the summer months are my busiest, but I do enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, and a good campfire when I can! In the winter I enjoy snowboarding and a little ice fishing."
MK: What’s one or two things you enjoy about having your business in downtown Nisswa?
TW: "Nisswa is located in the heart of the Brainerd Lakes Area and is a popular year-round destination, but it is particularly popular in the summer. We are located just off the Paul Bunyan State Trail and soon we will have the new Gull Lake Trail just two blocks from our front door!"
MK: What three words would you use to describe yourself?
TW: "Determined, helpful, and considerate."
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Up North Bike Rentals is located at
5476 City Hall St
Nisswa, MN 56468
You will also find them in the Nisswa Freedom Days Parade on July 3rd and the Pequot Lakes Stars and Stripes Days Parade on July 4th, so be sure to say "hi!"
