Get Local: The Bike Barn in downtown Penticton

"It's a giant barn, and it's filled with bikes."

So says co-owner Geoff Prowse when asked about the name of his shop. He has an amazing grasp of the obvious.

But it is true. The Bike Barn, situated just a three-minute walk from Okanagan Lake Beach in downtown Penticton, is a cavernous structure absolutely jammed with bikes (300 currently) and bike paraphernalia. It's also one of the best known cycling shops in the Okanagan Valley, and a central cog of the Penticton riding community.

"My grandparents started the shop back in the late 70s," says Prowse while tweaking a cable on a Trek mountain bike. "They moved to this location in the early 80s. It was then called Prowse Cycle and Ski.

"After my grandparents retired, my parents took over, and when they retired, I took over."

Prowse says that if you need it, the Bike Barn will likely have it in stock. "Even if it's an ancient bike...we tend to not get rid of stuff."

The shop sells used bikes, new bikes, and consignment bikes. It sells clothing, bike computers, pumps, helmets, bottles and hydration packs, seemingly every replacement part imaginable, and much, much more. The selection, and the quality, will satisfy even the pickiest rider.

It also sports an impressively comprehensive repair department, which, even on this mid-September day, had four tech dudes working away.

Indeed, Prowse says fall riding is often superior to summer riding. "There's cooler weather in the fall, better trail conditions, less congestion, and we'll offer a quicker turnaround time if you break your bike."

Bike Barn manager Tara Scott played a lot of hockey when she was younger, but soon after got into cycling and hasn't looked back. "I love bikes. I love riding," she says.

Scott talks about her customers like they're family. "You look around, it's just an awesome store. From the products we have to the people who work here, to the customers we have - the local people. They're great. They know us, and we know them."

Prowse echoes her thoughts. "I love coming here every day. It's not really a job," he says with a laugh.

But it's the community involvement that strikes him hardest. "We sponsor a bunch of great events. The Test of Humanity is a fantastic event. It just happened last weekend in Summerland - a mountain bike race that puts all its funds toward Canadian humanitarian causes. I think every member of the shop participated in the race itself or did tech support or volunteered in some way."

The Bike Barn sets up a mobile presence at many other major local bike-centric events such as the Gran Fondo and Peach City Classic.

Prowse notes that all 2018 Bike Barn bicycles will go on sale in October, and says it's a great time for newbies to finally get on the saddle. "You could come in here having never ridden a bike, and you could be kitted like a pro within the hour."

The Bike Barn is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday throughout the fall and winter. Stop by and see what makes it such a fixture in the local cycling community.