A New Venture, Building on the Legacy of Bike N Hike

Hi! I’m Rajesh Injety (most people know me as Raj) and I’ve spent a lifetime loving riding and helping others get more from their cycling experience.

I’ve never sought out attention or praise; instead, I enjoyed being in the background watching others achieve after I’ve been able to lend a hand. This hasn’t changed, but I have also had a growing desire to have more ownership and control over how to do things at a local bike shop to help the community. After over 16 years in the bike industry, my wife, Michelle, and I have the opportunity to fulfill our dream to purchase a bike shop in Corvallis. As the owner of Bike N Hike retire from the business we plan to take their legacy and add our vision of what could be different for a Corvallis Bike Shop.

Why do I need your help?

It’s expensive! I want to be transparent with the cost breakdown.

Buying the business assets will cost $60,000. Operating before we become profitable will be $65,000. Between my wife and business partner, I only have about $20,000. Since April, I have tried getting a loan through multiple traditional financial institutions and I have either gotten turned down or just not received any follow-up. In total, I need around $125,000 to buy and begin to run the business. So now I’m turning to my community to help turn this dream into reality.

Why should you help?

If I don’t buy the business, Bike N Hike will close and a few people will lose their jobs. With your help, we can keep a small local business open that’s been around for over 50 years. Under my ownership, I plan to elevate the customer experience in two ways. One part is focusing on my employees’ wellbeing. I will demonstrate their value by providing a path for training to improve their skills and certifications, listening to staff’s ideas on how to improve, addressing the lack of livable wages which is very common in the bike industry, and more. Staff that is cared for can focus on caring for the cycling community. Together we can build a space that is authentically inclusive, where riders from a variety of backgrounds will feel welcomed and empowered. I've spent enough time in a variety of communities where I question if I am “enough” to be there. I’ve had this experience in the cycling community as well, which makes me want to build a place where this sensation is lacking. My goal is to do more outreach in the community, including events, donations, and programs that help those with fewer financial means get more out of their bikes. I dream of being part of a shop that can celebrate the creativity that comes from stretching a dollar as well as letting one's imagination run wild when cost isn’t an issue. This is a place I want to work in, and a place I don’t see in Corvallis, but could be here.

I believe our best product should be the experience we create for our customers. The way we keep this product intact is by retaining the people who provide this high level of care for their community. How we retain this staff is by showing them they are valued. This is done with livable wages, paths to training and certifications, listening to staff ideas and implementing them, and more. With a staff that is cared for, they can focus on the care of their cycling community and we can make a space that is authentically inclusive, where riders of many levels are welcome and empowered. This change in how we focus our efforts will allow us to give back to our community more with events, donations, and programs that help those with little financial means get more from their bikes.

Where did the perk program go? No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or promotions are not offered through GoFundMe. If you have questions or concerns about this, please contact me.

Bikes are inclusive; we make them exclusive. I’m trying to go the other way.

And, yes. We are gonna change the name, eventually.

if we don't reach our goal, the money raised will go back to those of you who contributed

-Updates-

oct 14th

As of Oct 14th we are closer to our goal that what shows up here on the Go Fund Me campaign. With money that has come in privately but I can't yet reflect here we are about $44,000 away from being able to pull this off. Its a big hurdle to overcome in about a week, but I still wanna give it a try! What about you?

nov 9th

I know its been a minute. I'm still taking donations because this idea isn't dead. Puzzle pieces continue to change which are keeping this dream alive. More donations give us a better foundation to build your favorite bike shop faster.

nov 23

Despite not reaching the financial goal we set out for, we have had enough pieces fall into place to give it a try. Multiple people have helped us get things sorted and so we are moving ahead. We are going to have a small bike shop in the Ball Studio’s building on 6th and SW Adams (just 3 blocks from Bike n Hike now). I’m really excited for what the future can bring.

All that being said, we aren’t done fundraising. The more money we can raise the better we can set up the shop to serve you, our community. Every bit helps, more than you may think. So please donate if you can, and if you can’t tell a friend or many friends! B-)