By William J. Dagendesh
A local store is gaining attention for the wealth of accessories and services it provides outdoor sports enthusiasts.
Routes Outfitter is an outdoor-culture brand retail and services store serving the needs of bikers, hikers and
. The store is a bonanza where customers can rent a bike, have their bike repaired, buy running gear and learn about upcoming hiking events.
The store offers bike rentals, demos and sales with premium Colorado-based brands such as Guerrilla Gravity and Revel. Also, it provides components and accessories from SRAM, RockShox, Maxxis, Shimano, PNW Components and other major brands, and carries Colorado brands including Altra, Lems, Osprey, RAD Apparel, Revel and Guerrilla Gravity.
Starting in January 2023, the store will offer backcountry ski packages.
Routes Outfitter is at 3131 W. Colorado Ave., directly across U.S. Highway 24 from Red Rock Canyon Open Space, around the corner from Garden of the Gods and 10 minutes from the Manitou Incline.
“Routes Outfitter exists to empower people towards wellness in the outdoors. We strive to be a relevant and meaningful brand of stores for outdoorists — riders, runners, hikers and more,” said Jason Mezey, who founded the company with his wife, Kristin.
“We desire to be a catalyst for growth in access, participation and stewardship in Colorado Springs and the areas around this awesome outdoor recreation-rich city.”
An outdoors buff, Mezey developed a passion for bikes while in his early 30s. In his youth, he tinkered with bikes and, after high school, worked at a Denver-area ski shop. His business strategy skills eventually grew from serving more than 12 years at an international nonprofits in the Colorado Springs area.
He and a friend often dreamed of ways they could turn their passion for the outdoors into something that could make a difference in the community while also growing a sustainable business.
Because it is the only shop that rented bikes in 2020, Routes Outfitter has developed a strong reputation for its services.
“Our bike repair services have grown significantly over the first two and a half years, and our (bicycle tune-up) packages have gained popularity. Desire for customizations has also grown,” Mezey said.
He said that having their supply chain disrupted by COVID-19 has been the company’s biggest obstacle. However, when people re-discovered their love for the outdoors, the high demand for outdoor equipment skyrocketed.
“The supply chain for bikes and other items virtually dried up. Bikes, bike components and accessories became hard to get for much of 2020 and 2021,” Mezey said.
“People were generally understanding, but our goal is to enable people to get back outdoors as quickly as we can. Delayed parts kept us from serving the way we desire to serve. We got creative though, as we often do, and provided access to our demo fleet at discounted prices.”
Routes Outfitter has made many new friends since opening its doors, Mezey said.
“Our goal is to provide exceptional quality, professionalism and unparalleled kindness in service to everyone who walks through our doors. Relationships are naturally a result from that kind of mentality, and it’s hugely rewarding to see those continue to form,” he said.
Many out-of-towners seeking to rent bikes and explore the region during the summer also turn to Routes Outfitter for its services. Also, many locals rent bikes for visiting family and friends so they can share their outdoor experiences.
“Many visitors stop in because they need good shoes to hike the local spots like Garden of the Gods and the Incline. Since we opened our doors, we’ve performed service on nearly 2,000 bikes, rented equipment more than 2,000 times, outfitted almost 1,000 pairs of feet with shoes and have served well over 7,000 people between our two locations,” Mezey said.
The other location is in Monument.
“Our rental/demo fleet is built around Colorado brands like Guerrilla Gravity, Revel and FattE-Bikes. They’re high quality, premium bikes that are several levels above a typical rental bike in the area. People are often surprised that they’re able to rent a bike with a retail price of well over $5,000.”
For people who are in the market to buy (especially from online brands selling direct to consumer), being able to try different models and categories helps them decide which bike fits their needs. It takes the risk out of buying something based solely on pictures and information on the internet, Mezey said.
“We are also the only premier mountain bike-rental store that offers a rent-and-ride experience. No other store in town has accessibility to world class trails directly across the street. Currently (we) have two thoughtfully located outdoor stores specializing in products and services related to outdoor riding, running and hiking,” Mezey said.
The Colorado Springs Routes Outfitter is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Sundays and is closed Mondays. Information: routesoutfitter.com or 719-358-9790.