Local bicycle shop provides free tune ups at local school
Jenni Heartway said that the school makes it into a whole celebration called, “Bring Your Bike to School Day," where the students are encouraged to ride their recently fixed bikes at recess, and "it's all in preparation for Tour de Floyd.”
Steve Heatherington, owner of Ups and Downs Bike Shop, spent one morning this week at Blue Mountain School to provide free repairs to over 20 children's bicycles in preparation for Tour de Floyd. An avid cyclist himself, he said he donated his time to tuning up bikes on May 5 "just to help" and because "it's fun."
Heatherington discovered his passion for fixing bicycles more than 40 years ago when he was building a bike as a senior in college. His shop, located in the garage of 209 W. Main St., has been open for over a year, and Heatherington explained that he can fix any type of bike, including the mechanical components of e-bikes.
Jenni Heartway, assistant director of Blue Mountain School, said she is thrilled to have Steve Heatherington providing this service the students. She added that they make it into a whole celebration called, “Bring Your Bike to School Day," where the students are encouraged to ride their recently fixed bikes at recess, and "it's all in preparation for Tour de Floyd.”
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"At Blue Mountain School, it's great to be outside," said Heartway. “We promote environmental stewardship by participating in nature-based activities and by exploring the connection between all living things, to establish a genuine sense of wonder and responsibility in our students.”
Heartway explained that she loves how Blue Mountain School helps promote Tour de Floyd each year because bicycling “is a great way to get exercise," and the ride specifically includes a Kids Ride, which is a three-mile ride to keep children busy while adults complete longer stretches. "Blue Mountain loves to promote being outdoors and enjoying ourselves," she said.
Anyone interested in riding in the 2026 Tour de Floyd, set to begin at the Floyd EcoVillage at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, should complete registration as soon as possible. Adult rides vary in length from 18-62 miles.
Ups and Downs Bike Shop is open Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 5 p.m., and from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturdays. Heatherington is also available by appointment by calling the shop at (540) 525-1912 or emailing sh.spokes@gmail.com.
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