The NorthWest Bicycle Improvement Company
12 Mar 2020 1 Comment
in Inside Roslyn, Videos Tags: bicycles, bikes, mountain biking, NorthWest Bicycle Imrpovement Company, Roslyn, Washington
For owner Glenn Burkhart, the Northwest Bicycle Improvement Company (NBIC) is a labor of love. Though it opened in 2014 on 2nd street, the bicycle rental and service shop only recently moved to its current home on Pennsylvania Avenue. The bike shop rents and services bicycles and also carries a wide assortment of products to ensure you have everything you need to ride the roads or the local trails.
Glenn has enjoyed bike riding for as long as he can remember, so the most important goal of the shop is to help spread the joy of riding in Roslyn. I’m really passionate about the area. I love the climate, I love the ecology that we have here, Glenn says, Secondly, I want to support the community. The staff is always happy to provide local trail information to help you on your way. In the Spring and Summer, the NBIC also organizes group rides, often on Saturday mornings, where bikers can just show up and join a ride. It’s just an awesome, magical thing when people are group riding, enjoying each other’s company, enjoying the weather, and enjoying riding bikes. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for those opportunities and be sure to check out the interactive Roslyn trail map available on their website.
The name of the shop, NorthWest Bicycle Improvement Company (a play on the historic Northwest Improvement Company that served as the company store during Roslyn’s coal mining era) is only partially tongue and cheek. The team provides a wide set of bicycle maintenance, tune-up, and repair services to help you keep your bike performing at its best. Likewise, since the team at the shop possess decades of combined experience working on bicycles, you can be sure you’ll have only top talent repairing or optimizing your ride.
One thing visitors to Roslyn are quick to notice is the number fat tire bikes. While not exclusively used for Winter riding, fat bikes are ideal for riding in snowy conditions and they help make riding a year-round recreation. The wide tires provide more grip in the snow, and when the snow melts, they’re great for sand as well (of course, fat tire bikes are available for rent at the shop). Another emerging trend is bikepacking. As the name implies, bikepacking is like backpacking, except you load up your bike with the necessary provisions and make your escape for days at a time. If you’re feeling adventurous, a variety of gear and carrying systems are available for transforming your ride into a two wheeled caravan.
If you’re not comfortable on wheels, Snowshoes are also available for rent. However, if you’re looking to enjoy a ride in Roslyn, regardless of whether you have a bike or need a bike, there is no better place to start your adventure than the Northwest Bicycle Improvement Company! Stop by and let Glenn get you started on your Roslyn ride!
Come Explore Roslyn’s Trail System
03 Feb 2017 Leave a Comment
in Inside Roslyn Tags: Hiking, Roslyn, Washington
Need a hand finding your way around the Roslyn network of trails? The Roslyn Trails Alliance, with support from a large group of local sponsors, maintains a detailed trail map that will help you on your way. The map is available here as a standalone PDF file. When paired with the Avenza Maps App, your phone’s GPS will place you within the map so you can easily navigate the area. Both the map and download instructions for the Avenza Trail App are available at the Northwest Bicycle Improvement Company’s website.
A Visit to Roslyn Yard
05 Sep 2014 1 Comment
in Inside Roslyn, Videos Tags: Park, Roslyn, Roslyn Yard, Washington
There is a new public space in Roslyn and it’s right in the heart of town. Roslyn Yard is quickly becoming a popular place to hang out and enjoy the day. Recently, we caught up with owner, Chris Martin, to learn more. Special thanks to Planes on Paper for the music used in this segment.
Maggie’s Pantry Cafe and General Store
28 Dec 2013 Leave a Comment
in Food & Drink, Inside Roslyn, Videos Tags: Maggie's Pantry, Market, Roslyn, Washington
Maggie’s Pantry is a great place to visit for a bite to eat, a cup of coffee and a wide variety of natural and organic foods. Recently, we sat down with Maggie’s Pantry Manager, Hannah Holden, to learn more about Roslyn’s unique café and natural market.
Put the “Fun” in Fundraiser for Stan the Man
10 May 2013 Leave a Comment
in Events Tags: fundraiser, Roslyn, Stan the Man, Stonehouse 101, Washington
On Saturday, June 1st, a special Stan the Man fundraiser is being held in Roslyn that is quite simply not to be missed. If you’ve spent any time in Roslyn, it’s likely you’ve felt the impact and influence of Stan in some way. He may have acted as the Master of Ceremonies in an event you attended, given you a ride somewhere when you needed it, sound engineered the live music you enjoyed, or any other number of ways he’s helped lift up the community from behind the scenes (check out our brief interview with Stan from 2011 to learn more about his service to the community). Now is our opportunity to give a little something back to the man who does so much!
Earlier this year, sudden medical issues resulted in over $30,000 in unexpected expenses. The benefit is being hosted to help Stan offset those costs so that he can continue his mission to provide awesome support and service to the community. That being said, it’s also going to be an extremely fun evening comprised of the following:
- 6pm to 8:30pm – Private Cocktail & Dinner Party
- 8:30pm – Open to the Public Concert with the Willies
StoneHouse 101
The Willies is a fun band that is sure to bring the party, and all of this will take place at StoneHouse 101. If you’ve never been to Stonehouse 101, you will not be disappointed. It is a work of art masquerading as an event venue.
A donation of $100 per person (or $150 per couple) is requested for the dinner party, and space limited. The dinner party will consist of appetizers, a four course dinner, friends and fun (brought to you by the fabulous Crave Culinary Arts). A donation of only $15 per person is suggested for the concert (and beer and wine will be available for purchase throughout the night). Of course, this is all for an awesome cause, so you are welcome to donate more if you wish.
Click here to get all of the event details and learn how to get tickets.
High Country Log Show 2012
08 Sep 2012 1 Comment
in Events, Videos Tags: High Country Log Show, Roslyn, Washington
On Labor Day Weekend, Roslyn hosted the Second Annual High Country Log Show. Axe throwing, pole climbing, log sawing, and obstacle courses were just a handful of the challenges featured in this year’s event. Congratulations to all of the competitors and thanks for making this a great show!
30th Annual Run to Roslyn Car Show
16 Jul 2012 Leave a Comment
in Events, Videos Tags: Car, Classic Cars, Roslyn, Run to Roslyn, Washington
On July 14th, Roslyn hosted the 30th Annual Run to Roslyn car show. From 8am to 4pm, Runje field was packed with classic cars, trucks and admiring spectators. Couldn’t make it in person? Click on the video below to see a quick recap.
As Easter Approaches, All Dogs Love to Hunt!
01 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Events, Inside Roslyn, Videos Tags: ARRF, Dog, Dogs, Easter Egg Hunt, Roslyn, Washington
The snowfall that greeted Roslyn residents on Saturday morning wasn’t enough to damper the Second Annual ARRF Doggie Easter Egg hunt. About 20 dogs showed up to participate in the costume contest and hunt for treats in the field just off of Pennsylvania Avenue.  
The event is a fun way to drive awareness around animal adoption and to help raise money to support ARRF’s commitment to the care and welfare of companion animals in Upper Kittitas County.  Experience more of this event by viewing the brief video below.
Six Hundred Miles of Winter Bliss
18 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in Nearby Places Tags: Roslyn, Sno Park, Sno Parks, Trails, WA, Washington, Winter Recreation
Winter weather may have taken a little longer to show up this year, but it has definitely arrived in Northern Kittitas County. This is a perfect time of year to check out the over 600 miles of groomed recreational trails this area has to offer. A trail map is downloadable from the Cle Elum Roslyn Chamber of Commerce that includes detailed information about the following trail systems: Crystal Springs, Lake Easton, Salmon La Sac, Easton Reload, Gold Creek, Kachess, Price Creek Westbound, Blewett Pass, Elk Heights, Manastash, Mineral Springs, Reecer Creek, Last Resort, Taneum, Teanaway / 29 Pines, and Woods and Steel. Many of the trails have easy access to lodging and dining options in Cle Elum, Roslyn, and Ronald.
The Roslyn Christmas Tree Stands Tall
10 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
in Inside Roslyn Tags: Christmas Tree, Roslyn, Washington
The Christmas tree is a hallmark of many holiday memories and traditions – and so it is with the Christmas tree in Roslyn. As remembered by early Roslyn resident Frank Barich:
“The Roslyn Fire Department, and others, had the tallest tree I remember seeing. It was set before the NWI Company Store. We would stand on our steps, waiting to hear the jingle bells on the sleigh bringing Santa Claus to the center of town. We ran to be in line to receive our bag of goodies, generally an orange and some hard candy.”
On February 10th, 1947, minutes of the Roslyn City Council meeting reflect that “a proposal had been made by John Lanigan and Wayne Read that a Douglas Fir tree be planted in the front of the NWI Company Store and so save the expense of getting a tree for Christmas every year.” The proposal was accepted.
Last weekend, during the 2011 Roslyn Winterfest, the long running tradition continued as the tree was illuminated in preperation for Santa’s annual visit. Standing tall along side the Coal Miner’s Memorial, the tree provides a warming reminder to cherish the season – and that today, we are creating the memories and traditions of tomorrow.
The memoir’s of Frank Barich were excerpted from “From Old Country to Coal Country” – published by the Roslyn-Ronaled-Cle Elum Heritage Club.
