How’d you like to see one of these out on the trail? Apparently this is a concept being tested by Trek in their own backyard of Madison, Wisconsin. The kiosk is actually operated by Machinery Row bike shop and is meant to serve customers after hours on a popular bike path. Stocked with handy spare parts like tubes, patches, and CO2 catridges (why not a free air pump instead? better for the environment), the machine also dispenses energy bars and cold drinks.
But beyond simply vending quick repair and re-energy supplies the Trek Stop Cycling Convenience Center also sports an integrated work stand and push button videos to walk riders through minor repair jobs. There’s even a spot for local maps and flyers which makes this puppy a magnet for area riders – maybe they’d like a singletracks area trail map to slap on the side 😉 Any Madison area mountain bikers out there willing to lend a hand?.
Anyway, it sounds like this is just a trial run for the cycling convenience stop and I don’t imagine we’ll be seeing these pop up at the local trail heads just yet (not from Trek anyway). The concept seems solid though and aside from the necessary approvals to get these placed at busy trailheads like Tsali and Moab this seems like a great business for someone to get into. Of course remote trailheads practically invite vandals to trash stuff so the design will probably need some hardening…Â Electricity is another issue as well but could be greened with solar panels.
