On almost any morning, groups of cyclists in bright jerseys and helmets can be seen gliding along Scenic Highway 98 on sleek road bikes, the waters of Mobile Bay flashing between the oaks. Chances are good that many of them have some connection to Pro Cycle and Tri in Fairhope, the bike and triathlon shop owned by Katie and Joe Bolton on Fairhope Avenue, across the street from the Fairhope Post Office.
The shop carries just about everything a rider needs for outdoor cycling, from racing bikes and triathlon gear to cruisers, electric bikes and trailers for kids and dogs. But in a 2022 visit, what stood out most was the sense of community. Talk with Katie for a few minutes and it becomes clear the Boltons think of their customers as more of a family than a client list.
A Local Shop With Deep Roots
Joe Bolton is a Fairhope local. Katie grew up in the Knoxville-Nashville area of Tennessee and competed collegiately as a pole vaulter at Auburn University, so she understands the discipline and training that go into endurance sports. Together they have built a shop that serves everyone from serious triathletes to families looking for a relaxed ride along the bay.
At the time of that 2022 visit, customers were greeted at the door by Addie, a 9-month-old rescue dog who liked to present visitors with a bone or a toy as a welcoming offering, a small detail that says a lot about the shop’s personality.
Service is a big part of the business. During the visit, a customer stopped in to pick up a bike that had needed a new tube after a flat, the kind of everyday repair that keeps local riders on the road. Tune-ups, repairs and fitting riders with the right equipment are as important to the shop as sales.
Supporting the Grandman Triathlon
The Boltons’ involvement extends well beyond the store. In May 2022, Pro Cycle helped the roughly 200 participants of the Publix Grandman Triathlon, a long-running Fairhope race, by hosting the volunteer pre-event meeting, handing out race packets, servicing bikes that needed attention and making sure everyone stayed hydrated.
A triathlon combines swimming, cycling and running in a single continuous race, with athletes moving through transition areas where they switch gear between legs. Sprint-distance triathlons like many community races are a popular entry point into the sport, and local bike shops often play a key role behind the scenes, helping with mechanical support, race logistics and advice for first-timers.
Saturday Shop Rides for Every Pace
Each Saturday, Pro Cycle hosts two levels of group “shop rides.” As described in 2022:
- 7:30 a.m. ride: A group of about 20 to 30 cyclists sets out on a 28-mile route. The first 17 to 18 miles are ridden at a social pace, meaning riders can talk with one another. The final 10 miles are about how fast you can go.
- 10 a.m. ride: Joe’s father, Joe Bolton Jr., leads a more casual group on a ride of 17 to 20 miles.
Both rides are on road bikes, the lightweight machines with skinny tires and low rolling resistance designed for traveling quickly on pavement. Riders interested in joining should check with the shop for current ride times and routes, since schedules can change.
Group rides are a staple of cycling culture. Riding in a pack lets cyclists share the work of breaking the wind, improves safety through visibility and numbers, and introduces newer riders to experienced ones who can teach them the etiquette of the road, from hand signals to holding a steady line.
Bikes for Racers, Cruisers and Everyone in Between
Pro Cycle stocks bikes of all kinds along with safety gear and equipment for competitions like triathlons. For more casual riders, the shop carries cruisers and e-bikes, which use an integrated electric motor to provide “pedal assist.” E-bikes have become very popular in recent years, making longer rides and hills more manageable for riders of varying fitness levels. The shop can also set customers up with bike trailers for pulling small children or dogs.
Katie noted that mountain biking is also growing in coastal communities as more bikeable and walkable trails are developed. In 2022, she pointed to new trails being readied through a federal grant at the “triangle” property in Fairhope, where U.S. Highway 98 and Scenic 98 meet near County Road 104. She also mentioned other good places to ride, including Josephine, Wilcox Road, Stockton and Historic Blakeley State Park near Spanish Fort, which is known for its network of wooded trails.
Rides and Events Throughout the Year
The Boltons host events throughout the year that bring their cycling family together:
- The Gambler: A time trial between Mullet Point and Pelican Point, where the winner is the rider who finishes closest to his or her predicted time rather than the fastest.
- Le Tour Party: A gathering at the shop to watch the Tour de France, cycling’s most famous race, held each July.
- Thanksgiving Day Morning Ride: A well-attended, family-friendly social ride.
The Tour de France, first held in 1903, typically runs for about three weeks and roughly 21 stages across France and neighboring countries, so watch parties give local riders a chance to follow the mountain stages and sprint finishes together. Events like The Gambler, meanwhile, reward consistency and self-knowledge over raw speed, which makes them welcoming for riders of different abilities.
The shop’s website lists its regular rides and events, and anyone interested should check there for current details.
Safety First on the Eastern Shore’s Roads
Safety for riders and for everyone else sharing the road is a core value for the Boltons. Katie keeps what she calls the “Mommy Duck List,” a set of guidelines that riders should become familiar with before showing up for a group ride. She also uses a real-time heat map showing traffic to help plan routes that are as safe and enjoyable as possible.
That attention matters on busy coastal roads. Scenic Highway 98, which winds along the bluffs from Daphne through Montrose, Fairhope and Point Clear, is one of the most scenic rides in the region, but it is also a two-lane road shared with residents, visitors and delivery traffic. A few basics help keep everyone safe:
- For cyclists: Wear a helmet, use front and rear lights, ride predictably, obey traffic signals and use hand signals when turning or stopping.
- For drivers: Alabama law requires motorists to leave at least three feet of space when passing a person on a bicycle. Slow down, be patient and pass only when it is safe.
- For groups: Follow the ride leader’s guidelines, communicate hazards to riders behind you and avoid blocking traffic unnecessarily.
Getting Started in Fairhope’s Cycling Scene
Fairhope’s walkable downtown, bayfront parks and tree-lined streets have long made it popular with people who prefer two wheels. The city’s municipal pier, the paths near the bayfront and the scenic roads leading north and south along the Eastern Shore give riders a wide range of options, from leisurely spins to training miles. The relatively flat coastal terrain and mild winters mean cycling is a year-round activity, and the growing network of trails in Baldwin County has expanded the choices for mountain bikers as well.
A local bike shop sits at the center of that culture. Beyond selling and repairing bikes, shops like Pro Cycle organize rides, support races, share route knowledge and give newcomers a place to meet other riders. For many cyclists, the Saturday shop ride becomes as much a social tradition as a workout.
For newcomers, the first step is often simply choosing the right bike. Road bikes are built for speed and distance on pavement, with drop handlebars and narrow tires. Mountain bikes have wider, knobby tires and suspension for dirt trails and roots. Hybrids and cruisers offer a more upright, comfortable riding position suited to neighborhood streets and bayfront paths, while e-bikes add motor assistance for riders who want to go farther with less strain. A knowledgeable shop can help match a rider to the right style and make sure the bike fits properly, which matters more for comfort and injury prevention than many beginners realize.
New riders also benefit from a few basic habits: check tire pressure before each ride, carry a spare tube, a small pump and water, and learn how to fix a flat. Starting with shorter, social-paced rides is a good way to build fitness and confidence before joining faster groups. And on the Gulf Coast, where summer heat and humidity can be intense, early-morning rides, sunscreen and plenty of fluids go a long way.
Group rides like the shop’s Saturday outings are a natural next step. Riders are typically expected to arrive a few minutes early with a working bike, a helmet and enough water for the distance, and to let the ride leader know if they are new so the group can keep an eye out for them.
Whether you prefer a fast road bike, a comfortable cruiser or an e-bike with a little extra help, the Boltons’ message is simple: biking is good for the soul at whatever pace you choose, so get out there and have fun.
Related coverage from South AL News
- Swim, Bike, Climb: A Fairhope Training Group's Decade at the Grandman Triathlon
- Fairhope Fly Shop Has Taught the Eastern Shore to Cast for More Than Two Decades
- The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail: How 28 Miles of Quiet Woods Became Alabama's Best-Known Secret
- Pralines Since 1950: Inside Punta Clara Kitchen, Point Clear's Family Candy House
