Singletrack Cycles to close doors after 30 years

The North Bend business will cease operations on March 15.

By Mallory Kruml • March 13, 2024 7:30 am

On March 1, Erik Alston, the owner of Singletrack Cycles, announced its March 15 closure after 30 years of operating in North Bend.

“We were doing very well until 2019,” said Alston, who assumed ownership in 2016. “After June 2020, because of the pandemic and supply chain issues, it was about 24 months before we could get bikes. Since then, we’ve primarily been servicing bikes, which doesn’t bring in enough revenue.”

Alston, who taught himself to ride a bike at age 3, first visited Singletrack in 2001 while searching for an escape from his corporate job of 30 years.

“In 2015, I was kind of reflecting on what I wanted to do next,” Alston said. “The shop owners mentioned they were considering selling, so we took them up on it.”

Since then, Alston has spearheaded multiple community-focused programs at his 119 W. North Bend Way shop.

For example, Singletrack customers are offered store credit when purchasing the next size up within three years of purchasing a child’s bike after having donated a too-small bike. Those donated bikes are matched with kids through partnerships with the Snoqualmie Valley School District and Issaquah’s KidVantage.

Singletrack also tunes up donated adult bikes before working with Trail Youth to place them with those in need.

“We also bring in dietitians, strength coaches and other subject matter experts to host workshops for the community,” Alston said. “It helps our customers be more prepared if they ever encounter an issue on the trail.”

Alston announced the closures after recognizing Singletrack could not remain sufficiently profitable until the projected return to pre-pandemic sales in 2026.

“This closure is devastating to me,” said Josh Albright, a Singletrack customer of over 10 years. “Singletrack is a cut above the rest, and I’ve been happy to go far out of my way to patron them.”

Customers who share Albright’s sentiments have shared their appreciation for Singletrack’s presence in Snoqualmie on the bike shop’s social media.

“Giving back to our customers and this community has really been the best job of my lifetime,” Alston said. “Getting people on the bike for the first time or reminding people of the joy of riding is just a joy, and I will truly miss it in the months to come.”

Singletrack is hosting the End of an Era Final Ride Sale until 6 p.m. Friday, March 15, when the doors close for the last time.