All About Service and Family (Suburban Scene)

"All About Service and Family" By Rebecca Tobin Schrader

Keeping things simple and combining a passion for biking with a commitment to putting customers first has been the path to success for shop owner Jonathan Seibold. His interest in cycling began in his teenage years as a rider and bicycle mechanic. As manager of Family Bicycles and lifelong resident of Crofton, he helped move the store from its 15-year run in Capitol Heights and set up shop here in October of 1997. Seibold then bought the business in March of 2002. He met his wife, Sarah, at a week-long bike tour in 1995, and she helps run the business.

Jonathan is an avid cyclist who rides three to five days a week, races both road and mountain bikes, and enjoys family rides around town with Sarah and their children, three year-old Dexter and one-year-old Willow behind in an enclosed bicycle trailer. Still, the Seibolds have made it a point of being a shop where everyone from the rookie to the fanatic can find the right bike.

They carry a wide range of bikes, gear, accessories, clothing, and shoes, but Sarah says, “It’s the service that brings people back again and again.” That dedication to service starts with your first visit, where the Seibolds and their staff will take time to find out your experience level, what kind of biking you want to do, and if you’re riding on your own or looking to outfit the whole family. This helps them determine what bike is the best fit for you. That may seem basic, but as Sarah says, “If you’re not comfortable on a bike, you’re not going to ride it.”

The Family Bike Shop also provides a lifetime of service with your purchase, and they can repair any make and model of bicycle, whether it’s one they carry in the store or not. People appreciate the extra mile, and a lot of people who walk in the door first heard about the shop from happy customers.

The Family Bike Shop also leads shop rides many Saturdays. After meeting up at the store, Jonathan leads groups throughout the area. After a lifetime of biking here, he is aware of roads and trails between Crofton and Annapolis that many people don’t even know exist.

Jonathan says this is a bike friendly area. “The local trail systems are growing, and the parkway is great for biking, plus there are lots of parks around.” Go a little further to DC, and “there’s a tremendous network of trails,” he says. If you’re interested in joining a ride, there’s no need to preregister, you can just show up. Details about upcoming rides can be found on the shop’s website, www.familybikeshop.com.

In addition to Redline, Raleigh, Giant, Diamondback, and Felt bikes, the shop just started carrying the Jamis line. Stop by the shop for a free water bottle!  For holiday shopping in a casual and friendly atmosphere, you can find all things bicycle at the Family Bike Shop.

The Family Bike Shop is located at 1286 Rt. 3 South in Crofton, in the Route Three Center. Their hours are 10am to 7pm Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm Saturday, and 12pm to 5pm Sunday. You can reach them at 410-721-8244 or 301-261-3618.