Cycle of change includes travel

06 June 2006
By KRYSTI WETTONThe most satisfying part of Glenn Demchy's 32-year career in the cycling industry has been seeing the joy people get from riding a bike he sold them.
Now he is rediscovering the pleasure of the sport himself.
The 48-year-old has sold Mitchell Cycles, in Strandon, after owning the business for 22 years.
He made the decision while cycling in France last July. He sat down to take a rest, the sun beaming down on him.
"I thought this is the life and I've got to make things a little easier."
Mr Demchy had little spare time when he ran the firm. Summer was the busiest time, when most people were out making the most of the fine weather.
The former New Zealand cycling champion's competing days were also put hold to focus on the company.
"The business came first."
His career began at 16, when he started work at Moturoa Cycles. Ironically, he was turned down for a job at Mitchell Cycles.
Mitchell Cycles was established by Dave Mitchell in 1956. It opened in Liardet St and later relocated to Devon St, then to Strandon.
Mr Demchy bought the firm in 1984 and moved it from where Zanziba is currently situated to its present location, at 467 Devon St East, five years later.
`That was when the mountain bike boom was on. I've been through a lot of booms – Raleigh Twenty, BMX and triathlon."

He said the current trend was for more women and middle-aged people to start cycling.
New Plymouth's coastal walkway had encouraged many to take up the pastime, he said.
In 2002, Mr Demchy helped ease the growing tension between cyclists and walkers sharing the walkway by giving free bells to the cyclists. About 3000 bells had been given away, he said.
He estimates he has sold more than 50,000 bikes.
"The biggest pleasure has been selling someone a bike and seeing them ride it."
The children and grandchildren of people whose bikes he had fixed when they were kids were now coming into the shop, he said.
Like any business, the cycle shop had its highs and lows.
It was during a quiet period nine years ago that Mr Demchy and his wife Katherine decided to open a Toyworld franchise in the space next to Mitchell Cycles.
"I couldn't buy enough bikes to fill the whole place," Mr Demchy said. "The two businesses complement each other."
Mr and Mrs Demchy plan to job share at Toyworld for the next two years, then travel overseas for six months, when they will reassess their future.
Mr Demchy will help Mitchell Cycles' new owners, Blair Cox and Robyn Olsen, when they are busy and will also help Toyworld set up a megastore in Auckland.
He has always insisted his employees have an interest in cycling, because giving customers advice is a big part of the job.
"We've had a lot of kids work for us over the years."
One of his star performers was Mr Cox, who started working for him 17 years ago.
"I've always wanted him to take over the bike shop."
Mitchell Cycles sponsored Mr Cox before he started working there.
He said the business would carry on as normal and continue to be Avanti Plus stockists.
Mr Cox competes and works as a bike mechanic in Ironman competitions in New Zealand and overseas.
The former Commonwealth cyclist uses his knowledge to help customers. "I've raced around the world and had top mechanics working on my bike."
Offering women courses on bike maintenance, nutrition and cycle training is one way he does this.
He said Mitchell Cycles had a great reputation and catered for everyone, from children to competitive cyclists.