Theresa M. Van Ackeren, Managing Member

I grew-up riding my bicycle to and from school and on my afternoon paper route in Omaha, Nebraska.  I learned early to "embrace the hills," we lived in a hilly section of town and there were two or three hills no matter which way I rode.  But riding was so much faster than walking. 

I gave away my bicycle when I moved to the Kansas City area in 1989 and didn't buy another until the late 1990's.  I slowly got back in the habit cycling for short distances in and around Lee's Summit, where I was living at the time.  In 2001, I moved to the Brookside area and kept up the short trips.  I suddenly realized in 2005 that I really was going to turn 40 and really should do something about it, but wasn't sure what.  For lack of a better idea, I bought myself an expensive road bike for a birthday present and started riding seriously (well, as seriously as I could). 

My dad and his partner, Carol, convinced me to ride the entire length of the Katy Trail in 2006.  After completing the approximately 225 miles in five days, I realized I had just had the most fun I'd had in years.  To celebrate, I went on several other weeklong bicycle trips.  Dad, Carol and I repeated our Katy Trail trip in 2007; this time from St. Charles to Clinton.  In the mean time, I hooked up with a great group of people, affectionately known as "The Flying Fish".

Thanks for reading all of that.  Stick around and come visit us to see the fun and the future of personal transportation in Kansas City.  Let us know your thoughts; we want to know what you think about cycling, in general and in particular—cycling in Kansas City.  We promise to answer; it might not be the answer you wanted, but it will be an answer nonetheless.    

Bruce Homstad

In the mid-1980's I worked at a small bike shop in the Phoenix-Metro area of Arizona at a time when mountain biking was just beginning.  I had already been using my bicycle as a means of transportation, but with an invitation from friends, ventured out into the rocky trails of Usery Mountain Park in Mesa, Arizona for my first experience in recreational mountain biking.  I was hooked! 

A few years later I bought an awesome black road bike with the idea that I would enter some road races.  I completed a few duathlons (run, bike, run) as I had some running experience, and, was a big fan of the brand new sport of triathlons (swim, bike, run). 

I had the opportunity to experience the cycling culture in Seattle, Washington for several years.  Now I know the first thing that came to your mind when I mentioned Seattle is the rain.  But the rain did not faze the cyclists who rode year-round.   Bicycling is frequently the first choice as a means of transportation in the Emerald City.  As with most cities, limited parking, congested traffic and high gas prices are great reasons to choose your bicycle for that commute.  For me, bicycling has also provided a means to justify eating Oreo cookies. 

So here I am in Kansas City, a city with some wonderful trails, great neighborhoods, and local markets.  A city should be experienced by bicycle to really appreciate all that it has to offer.   

Please stop by Family Bicycles and say Hello. 

Jeremy “Remy” Gorham

In the mid to late 90's, I started riding freestyle bmx, but mostly just doing tricks in my backyard with a few friends.  Over the next few years, it progressed into a sponsorship deal with a Mid-West bmx manufacturer.  I specialize in freestyle dirt jumping.  It was great, but in 2000 I walked away from the sport due to injuries and to focus on school.

After a few more years and a few dead end jobs, I found myself in Phoenix, AZ working in a bicycle shop and I found what my life was kind of missing.  So I started freeride mountain biking and a little bit of downhill racing.  I loved every minute of it, but unforeseen circumstances brought me back to Kansas City and it feels good to be home again.

Now, I'm back in Kansas City trying to find some good freeride mountain biking and hanging out at Family Bicycles.  So drop by the shop, check out a few bikes or just hang out for awhile.

Kat Dison

I have always had an extreme love for cycling.  coming from northeast Arkansas I spend a large amount of time riding through the Ozarks.  I frequently rode to rock quarries and rivers that sourrounded the area.  It was awesome spending weeks camping by the river and riding into the nearest town for supplies.

I moved to Kansas City in 2003 to attend the Kansas City Art Institute's sculpture program.  In school, I built what you might call art bikes.  These art bikes won't exactly take you from point A to point B, but they are a lot of fun and spin you in circles.

I have fallen for Kansas City and its inviting community.  The expanding art districts, an exceptional local music scene, and Family Bicycles of course, I can't think of a reason to leave.