Bikes Unlimited Wyndhurst, Lynchburg

Three cyclists cruise the calm banks of the James River; one rides a brand new Gary Fisher, one sits atop a tuned-up fixed gear, and the other tests out a Trek rental bike—all thanks to Bikes Unlimited. The store’s downtown location, housed inside a historical brick building constructed in 1897, is stocked with mountain, road, and BMX bikes along with gear such as cycling computers, trainers, and jerseys. Mechanics at the downtown and Wyndhurst locations are on hand to perform necessary tune-ups and repairs, but the shop’s support for the cycling community doesn’t end there; the staff leads regular group rides, helps to build and maintain local mountain-bike trails, and sends cheetahs in pursuit of racers as a motivational tool.