By Heather Clower
The Parsons Advocate
Although Blackwater Bikes has been in business since 1983, Rob Stull and wife Shannon McCann purchased the business from Roger Lilly in 2015. Relocating to the area in 2003, Stull is originally from the Harpers Ferry area where he utilized his degree in environmental science working on stream and wetland preservations statewide. He now works full time at Blackwater Bikes and his wife is a teacher at Mountain Laurel School. When asked why he and his wife decided to purchase the business, he said, “I think we just saw an opportunity with all the people coming to the area.”
Stull has always had an appreciation and interest in outdoor recreation and mountain biking, though this was a new journey for him. May 1 marked the grand opening of their new location in Davis, situated beside Highland Market. This building is owned by Stull and McCann, where the other building was a rental. The new facility boasts a full service repair shop where a wide variety of parts are always in stock or a day away, area and tourist maps and information, bike sales and rentals, shuttle services for bikers, and retail items such as helmets, T-shirts, and more. Below the new business is still under construction where short term rentals are being built with an interest in expanding into workforce housing in the future. “I just see more and more traffic through here,” he commented in reference to the visitors coming to the Davis and Thomas area.
Recently, Blackwater Bikes sponsored the Athlete of the Year Award at the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet. The recipient of the award was John Logar, known for his trek across Alaska. Shortly after receiving his honor, Logar set up his bike and gear at the new business and performed a demonstration and informational session to several in attendance. His fully equipped bike is still on display for visitors to see exactly how he made the journey across the tundra this winter.
Blackwater Bikes, in addition to Stull and McCann, employs five individuals. Employees are responsible for customer service, sales, as well as mechanics. They are open seven days a week during the summer and are semi weather dependent during other seasons. Currently, hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. with Friday and Saturday hours being 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. You can find information about the business, offerings, and hours of operation at www.blackwaterbikes.com
