Torrenti Cycles owners, Danielle Castelli Strader and husband Phill, have been repairing bikes for more than eight years, and they opened a retail location on N. Main Street in Fuquay-Varina last March one day before the pandemic shut down temporarily closed the business.
Background: Born and raised in Fuquay-Varina. I worked at Elliotts Pharmacy and graduated from Fuquay-Varina High School.
First Biking Memory: My parents handed me down a really crusty bike from my sister and wouldn’t buy me a new one until I learned to ride. I learned really quickly.
Favorite Rides: Hilltop Needmore Town Park & Preserve, Harris Lake mountain bike trails, Raven Rock State Park and there are so many possibilities on rural roads just a couple miles out of town. Biking is an easy getaway to see many cool things.
Always Learning: In college, I found a bike on the side of the road and started trying to get it to work. I wanted a bike to get to campus. Then I started working at a bike shop near N.C. State and buried myself in the shop. I must have been annoying to the mechanic there; I badgered him with questions constantly.
Mobile Repairs: We had the van from the first minute. Every weekend we were at a charity ride or event. It generated a lot of community interest. Now, there is a 4-6 week waitlist for mobile. We make house calls throughout Wake County.
Quality: We will work on any kind of bike, but the quality lends to a better experience on the bike. If you don’t start off well, you are not going to fall in love with it. We want people to start off on the right foot.
On COVID-19: Bikes have become a refuge. Repairs are through the roof. Many bikes are in short supply. We’re trying to keep people on wheels.
Trending: Ebikes get people into (riding) or get back into it. They can go farther, faster. (Ebikes) eliminate physical limitations to riding. It’s the great equalizer.
All Are Welcome: There is a type of riding for everyone. We want to create a space where everyone feels comfortable. Everybody is different, with different resources. We want to be a shop for all of those people.
Torrenti Cycles
1311 N. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina
(919) 306-8573
torrenticycles.com
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