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Orewa has a new bike store on Florence Ave called Saint Cycles Hibiscus Coast, which opened last month.
This is the third Saint Cycles store to open in Auckland, with the other two being in Takapuna and Mt Wellington.
The manager, Michelle Melis, is new to the retail business, having previously spent 13 years in the police.
“After 13 years on the front line, I had achieved my goal of becoming a Sergeant,” Michelle says. “As the Sergeant of the Road Crime Unit, Counties Manukau, I lost the drive and passion it takes to be able to deal with negative influences day in and day out. I wasn’t enjoying the job any more so I resigned and started working in a bike shop. Bikes are my passion”.
Michelle started mountain biking 13 years ago and eventually took up road cycling. She recently started track cycling and competed in the National Masters Track Championships held at the velodrome in Invercargill. She has also set her sights on competing in the World Masters Games in NZ next year. Michelle is currently building the ultimate time trial bike equipped with the latest technology included wireless electronic gearing (Sram Etap).
Michelle says she is thrilled to be given the opportunity to manage the new store in Orewa.
“I was stationed with the police here for a number of years. Orewa has a great sense of community, which I love”.
The team at Saint Cycles will soon establish shop rides which will be at various times during weekdays.
“Bike stores are generally very male-orientated so it has been nice hearing that other women riders enjoy dealing with a woman who also rides.”
The Saints store caters for everyone, from cruiser style bikes for riding the estuary cycle trail, race bikes, mountain bikes, children’s bikes and E-bikes (pedal assisted).
“Taz, our mechanic, is currently customising a mountain bike for a young racer who is only six years old. We can build and customise any bikes,” Michelle says.
The store also has a full workshop for repairs and servicing.
“This summer we will be providing a bike hire service for locals and tourists. We have such a great asset in Orewa with the estuary bike path and cycling is a fun and healthy way of experiencing the outdoors”.
