Family business crosses generations

For the past 16 years, the McWhorter family has been offering bicycle retail and repair services at Bike Route in Sugar Land. The family's history in the industry, however, began more than a century ago when Herbert L. Flake opened a wholesale bike shop in downtown Houston in 1912. Beginning in 1987, Flake's grandson Bill McWhorter and his wife, Jeanette McWhorter, started Bike Route as a way to continue the family business by offering affordable bikes and accessories.

"My husband, Bill, was born into it, and I married into it," Jeanette said. "I have enjoyed working in retail more than in wholesale. I like the people."

Jeanette said many of her customers have become close friends and that the staff works to treat their guests like family. Since opening their Sugar Land location in 1997, she has watched her clientele grow up and bring their children in for their first bike.

Bike Route had locations throughout the Houston metro area but has since consolidated the operation to a single storefront. In addition to offering affordable bicycles from makers such as Giant, Haro and Massi, Bike Route operates as a full-service bike repair shop.

"Bike Route is a laid back, relaxed atmosphere," said Cynthia McWhorter, Jeanette's daughter and store manager. "We have always been family-owned. We do repairs on all bicycle makes and models. We are a neighborhood repair shop."

Bike Route's in-house mechanics work on repairs ranging from tune-ups to flat tires to spot checks. Greg Gorsha has been fixing bikes since childhood, but he has worked exclusively with the McWhorters for more than two decades as their head mechanic.

"Jeanette is a pleasure to work for, and you meet great people," Gorsha said. "I have customers who have been bringing their bikes to me for the past 20 years."

Hundreds of bikes are available year-round at Bike Route, and the selection is geared toward family-friendly activities.

"My goal is to help every customer find whatever they need," Cynthia said. "When someone buys a bike from us, we offer one year of free tune-ups. We work hard to save our customers money."

Although their operation is smaller now, the McWhorters and their staff stay busy throughout the year, Cynthia said.

"We are busting at the seams," she said. "But this has been a great area. We love Sugar Land."

Services offered

The mechanics and retailers at Bike Route are available for a variety of retail and repair services including free consultations and estimates and work on:

• Road, mountain and hybrid bikes
• Children's bikes and baby joggers
• BMX, freestyle and performance bikes
• Trailers and custom bikes
• Work is offered on any make and model bicycle. Spot checks and lifetime warranties are available.

The 2014 BP MS150 tour

• Bike MS tours are charity bicycle rides organized by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Tours take place year-round throughout the country.
• The MS150 bike ride from Houston to Austin attracts hundreds of riders each year.
• Registration for the 30th annual event opens in October with the race set for April 12–13, 2014. This will be Bike Route's 29th year as a supporter and sponsor of the Houston to Austin MS150.

Backpedaling history

After Herbert L. Flake opened his wholesale bike shop in 1912, he quickly became known as the city's "King of Bicycles." He would line Milam Street outside of his shop in downtown Houston with hundreds of bikes each week as distributors from around the country stopped off to pick them up. Several of Flake's antiques, including an extremely rare racing bike with bamboo spokes, adorn the walls of Bike Route.

Bike Route Inc.

2633 Town Center Blvd. Sugar Land

281-265-3900

www.bikeroutesugarland.com

Hours: Mon–Fri: 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sat: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.