Gary Bell

Gary Bell, owner of Sierra Ski & Cycle Works, fastens pedals to a new mountain bike in his store.He is making the transition from his winter business of ski rentals to his summer business of bike rentals.
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But that's not the case for Gary Bell, who owns Sierra Ski & Cycle Works at the corner of Johnson and Lake Tahoe boulevards.He said it's been busy.

"It's a fun time," Bell said, "coming out of one season into the next."

Outdoor sporting shops around the South Shore are making the transitional leap from winter to summer as well.Bell's store has specialized in mountain adventure equipment for all seasons since 1980.

"As winter is winding down, people are anxious to go straight into bikes," Bell said.

Bell said he can partake in dual-leisure days right now, where you can ski half the day, then go riding or sailing for the other half.

"There's not many places you can do that," Bell said.

Sometimes the area will get hit with a series of spring storms, keeping everyone excited about the winter with fresh snow, but that didn't happen this winter, creating a fast transition to bikes, he said.The lower-altitude trails are thawing out, but the higher altitudes still are skiable.

The shoulder season also is refreshing because of the change of pace and in clientele, Bell said.

More people are itching to not drive because of the high gas prices, Bell said.Many customers are looking at cruisers and commuters for this year.

You want to tune because No. 1, (the equipment) was probably put away in bad shape, said Gary Bell, owner of Sierra Ski and Cycle Works.they have been skied hard, ridden hard and put away wet.When you get back on the snow you want them riding well..

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Bell said he has come to know how his regular customers want their equipment tuned.

The difference really can be a personal preference thing, depending on how much you ski or ride, he said.Snow conditions make a difference too.And how often you get a tune-up depends on the conditions and how frequently you go.i would say an average is probably four to five times a season if you be skiing or boarding a fair amount.But we have people who come in once a week all season long.We know certain customers and know they like their skis and boards tuned a certain way..

"That trail's been there for a very long time and that's what we've always used," said Gary Bell, owner of Sierra Cycle Works, who helped start the organization, but is not currently active in it.
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Mountain bikers have been approached by the present owner in a negative way, Bell said.He hoped for a better way to figure out a solution than conflicts at the site.

"We try to be accommodating and work together," Bell said.
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The trail is not listed on Forest Service maps, and Bell and Villanueva said it is primarily known to locals as a convenient, quick workout on a scenic and slightly technical route.

"We have more time to ourselves and we have more of our back yard to ourselves," said Gary Bell, owner of Sierra Cycle Works.He's been mountain biking and hiking a lot, taking advantage of a trail that starts three blocks from his house.

"It was so nice to run across all these locals that were riding and hiking," Bell said.
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"There's the excitement of the change of seasons," Bell said.

Clyde carried iron skillets ... but we don't need to do that anymore," said Gary Bell, owner of Sierra Cycle Works.