Meet Kyle Foster | Owner & Mechanic

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kyle Foster and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kyle, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
When constructing the mission and vision for Seagull’s Cycles, I wanted a shop that would stand out from the rest. I wanted Seagull’s to be the shop that does all the things I thought a shop should/could do. A shop that was involved in the community more so than just the race scene. A place where anyone and everyone could come and feel welcome and comfortable. Through the years I’ve had so many ideas I wanted to pursue, now I get the chance to try out all of them. Ideas like Repair Education classes, hosting Bike In Movie nights, fundraising rides, and multiple group/community rides. Recovery Ride was top of my list of group rides to get going. Recovery Ride originally started as an addiction recovery group but very quickly evolved into so much more. If you are in any type of recovery, be it substance addiction, depression, or any mental health recovery, you are welcome to join us. It’s ride for those in recovery, interested in recovery, or those who support someone in recovery.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
If you ride bikes, chances are you’ve been into a shop, or you know someone who has been into a shop and had a less than desirable experience. Where the person on the mechanics side of the counter is condescending or snotty towards you for not knowing what they know. I want Seagull’s to be the place where no one leaves with that experience by leading with education to dissolve the unnecessary bike shop ego. Relationships and connection are key. Anybody can get their bike parts online these days, but what they can’t get from an online shop are those relationships and in person connections. Coming out of Covid restrictions people want that more then ever. Community is king at Seagull’s Cycles, and I want the shop to embody that as much as possible. The shop started very grass roots, from the bottom up. It all started out of my girlfriends garage, working late nights and weekends when I wasn’t working my painting job. That’s exactly how I wanted to start, small and grow as I could, little by little. By focusing on what I know best, repair and customer service, I knew I could always grow into more. So many shops go big in the beginning and end up so deep in debt its near impossible to get out. To keep expenses low the shop doesn’t carry any new bikes yet, but instead focuses on a neglected market of quality used bikes. As far as I know Seagull’s is the only high end bike consignment in the valley. Another piece that makes the shop stand out is the Repair education classes. I offer small group or one-on-one classes teaching people how to fix everything from the very basics of trailside repair all the way up to brake bleeds and some suspension service.
Staying true to my passion of education, repair, approachability and investment in community has made the shop what it is today and will continue to grow it into the future.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The first thing I like to do with friends who are visiting is introduce them to my go-to before/after work ride. The classic Boneyard to Pool & Ice loop. Its a mellow climb with a great ROI on the downhill. Nothing extreme but a good quality ride with plenty of fun. If it’s a Wednesday we must attend the Vail Valley Mountain Bike Club Community ride with the guarantee of “More smiles per mile than anywhere else.” End that day with a pan ricotta cheese sticks at Pick Up Pizza. The next day I would drag the up to the trails on the South side of Eagle to ride Mike’s Night Out to Worlds Greatest. Lunch spot, the Prima Vera taco stand on 4th st. and highway 6.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The shop wouldn’t be what it is without the amazing community behind it. First big shout out to my wonderful girlfriend for letting me take over her garage and starting the shop there and her continued support. Eagle Valley Behavioral Health for our partnership with Teen Meet & Ride, and Recovery Ride. Speak Up Reach Out for Seagull’s Send in Honor of Jonathan Sharon. Vail Valley Mountain Bike Club for the Wednesday Community Ride. Pick Up Pizza for providing delicious pizza post ride and the live music on Bike in Movie nights. The Cycle Effect for teaching young people empowerment through cycling. Celina at A Good Sport for giving the shop a chance at having a retail location. The Survivor to Thriver podcast for breaking down the stigma around talking about mental health. Mountain Youth for the very first Move Chat Parent/Recovery Ride. Go Callosum for the amazing brand build. Last but not least my amazing family for always believing in my dreams.

Website: https://seagullscycles.com/

Instagram: @seagullscycles

Facebook: @seagullscycles