Libby man opens new bike shop

Bryce Huck always had a passion for bikes.

Since moving to Libby from Tacoma, Wash. in 2007, Huck, 32, has been busy working construction jobs, but opening his own bike shop has always been in the back of his mind. He owns two professional-grade mountain bikes for himself along with one each for his wife and two of his four children.

“Being in Washington, whenever I needed something for my bike I could just go to a bike shop,” Huck said. “We don’t have that here in this small town. I’ve been in a shop for at least 10 years, but I was tearing apart my bikes and working on them at 12 years old.”

Huck’s shop provides bike tune-ups, wheel building, suspension re-building and several other repair services. He also has a contract to sell bikes made by Specialized Bicycle Components Inc., offering everything from kids’ bikes to $10,000 bikes. Huck believes Specialized is the best bike manufacturer because their products are suitable for any rider.

“Anybody that walks through the door, I can get them on the bike that they want, comfortably,” Huck said. “They are affordable as well.”

The shop has been open since May 1, and is currently open three days a week. Huck is still working construction, but hopes to move to the bike shop full-time. There are a few bicycle events that occur in Libby every year, such as the Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River (STOKR) and Le Tour de Koocanusa. A Libby bike shop has never before been available for the bikers who enjoy these events. Huck also plans to offer skis to supply the large number of skiers in the area.

Susie Rice, the coordinator of STOKR, believes the bike shop will be very beneficial to bikers riding through Libby.

“There are over 1,000 riders that come through Libby every year,” Rice said. “This is something that is needed in this town.”

Huck’s is the only bike shop in Libby, and as Troy Bike Shop owner Dennis Hedge continues his pursuit of selling his shop, he now has a nearby Lincoln County competitor.

“I hope he does well,” Hedge said. “He has a lot ahead of him as far as work and expenses go.”

Huck knows his shop has potential to help people in the community and hopes it will encourage families and children to be more active.

“My goal is having more kids in here,” Huck said. “We need to influence our kids into healthier things, like I had as a kid.”

Huck believes his business could grow, but does not want his shop to expand too much.

“I don’t want to see Libby get too big,” Huck said. “I don’t want to lose touch with the bikes and really focusing on helping people out. I don’t want to lose that personal touch.”

Huck attributes his success to his wife, Hannah, and friends who encouraged him to pursue his dream of opening his own shop.

Bad Medicine Bike Shop is open Monday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shop is located at 1000 Highway 37.