The D&L Blog

Gravel bikes are what everyone wants right now, says Erin Fagan, the events coordinator (and more) at Genesis Bicycles in Easton. The majority of Genesis riders are families and Erin says that, 90 percent of the time, they are looking to ride on a canal towpath like the D&L Trail—which happens to be located just minutes away from this Trail Friendly Business! For Erin, being so close to the trail is a huge advantage since beginners are nervous riding on the road with cars. Plus, the trail brings you closer to nature.

When you talk with Erin, she is quite modest, but the schedule of group rides she’s put together is unparalleled in this area for its quantity and quality. There’s a Genesis ambassador taking a group out weekly (usually daily during the summer) for a wide variety of rides from slow cruises to a longer trek along gravel of the trail, or their ever-popular ice cream ride on Thursdays that end at the Bank Street Creamery. Most of these guided rides are free and meet up in the Genesis parking lot, where it’s a quick jaunt to the trail access at the Forks of the Delaware trailhead, near the entrance to 611 South in Easton.  They even have a NO FLAT GUARANTEE where if anyone gets a flat on one of their rides, the ride leader will replace the bad tube with a brand new one. Their repair shop also offers maintenance clinics at the store every month, like “How to Fix a Flat.”

If you’re in the market for a bike, the lines of bikes Genesis carries offers something for everyone, no matter your level, size, or age. The sales crew is always there with a smile to fit each customer and offer test rides in the parking lot – with a helmet fitting too, of course.

About three years ago, they brought in e-bikes, which added a new avenue of bicycle access for someone who might need a pedal assist from an electric motor. The service manager, Jimmy Madden, says it has been wonderful to learn about e-bikes since it gets even more family members out on the trail who might otherwise stay home. Genesis also features a wide array of parts, accessories, and apparel.

The other thing we like about Genesis? They love their neighbors. For real. They have a program called BikesGiving where they ask customers to log their miles over the course of a year. When everyone turns in their miles on October 31, Genesis gives a penny per mile to a charity that’s hyper-local. Last year, the Children’s Home of Easton received a check for $2,460. Another amazing idea they’ve implemented? They close the store on Black Friday (Yes, imagine that, they stay home with their families!) instead of taking part in the consumer craze, and donate the employee pay that would have gone into that Friday directly to a local nonprofit.

Not to mention, Genesis also sells our D&L Trail silipints and donates all of the proceeds back to the D&L Trail. (See photo at right. These pint glasses are unbreakable, squishy, and fun!)

Erin says as they look forward to the next season, the store will be adding longer adventure touring rides and more varied locations, such as the Lehigh Gorge State Park part of the D&L and the Columbia Trail in Highbridge, NJ.