About
Your Local Bike Shop
Surprisingly the story of this bike shop is also a love story that begins in Nyack, NY in 2013. Ron was working for Toga Bikes and Alissa came in looking to buy one. As a mechanic, Ron usually didn't sell bikes. But one of his co-workers called him out to the floor to help her out. They had their first date riding bikes around Rockland Lake. And the rest is history.
Having children was the motivation to open Velo Domestique. Before their first son was born, Ron mainly worked on the road as an adaptive sports mechanic for athletic camps with the Department of Defense. In 2015 he opened a service-only shop in a warehouse space in Hudson, NY. Many of those initial customers were influential in convincing him to stay home and open a full-service bicycle shop. The feeling was that Columbia County had a need for a 100% rider and bicycle focused shop.
In 2016, Velo Domestique opened its doors in Chatham and then in June 2020 moved to their current location in Valatie, NY. Here they can better serve the cyclists along the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail, which is a connector of the 750 mile Empire State Trail.
Meet Ron Gainer
Owner, Velo Domestique Bicycle Shop
Ron has grown-up working in bike shops. But it became a career when he went to Yamaguchi Bicycle Frame Building School in Rifle, CO. The following year he began working at Independent Fabrication as a bicycle frame builder in Sommerville, MA. From this experience he gained a deeper understanding of the importance of matching a rider's individual body proportions to the geometry of a bicycle frame and how those two pieces come together to create a harmonic fit.
In the fall of 2011 Ron secured a spot at the USA Cycling Race Mechanic's Clinic at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO. While there, he focused his attention on rider/mechanic communication, attention to the rider's individual specifications, and making quick and important decisions in high-stress situations.
In 2014 Ron became Service Manager for Fit Werx in Ridgefield Park, NJ. Working there, he was able to marry his knowledge of frame building and wrenching.
Ron's passion for wrenching is equally matched with his love of riding all styles of bicycles. You may see him ripping around town with the local kids on his BMX, towing his son around the Columbia County back roads on his road bike, or shredding around Beebe Hill on his mountain bike. He even traveled to Europe to ride parts the Paris Roubaix course!
As a professional bicycle mechanic, Ron has used his expertise working for Mavic Service Course, SRAM Neutral Support, the Department of Defense and many other regional races and events. Some of Ron's favorite races he's worked are USA Pro-Challenge, Tour of Alberta, and Tour of the Battenkill.
Browse Our Bike Selection
Find your dream bike today and visit us for a test ride. We'll ensure that you're on the right bike to meet your needs and the right frame size for a comfortable, safe cycling experience.