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History
Two Wheel Drive was founded in 1982 with
a solid vision: Be Albuquerque's premier shop for the enthusiast
rider.
Today, the mission stays the same. Provide attentive customer
service. Support cycling in our community. Provide good, innovative
products that solve customers' needs. Help people find places
to ride.
Some of the highlights of more than 20 years in
business:
September 1982 - Charlie
Ervin and partner Daniel
Boone opened the first Two Wheel Drive shop on Broadway
NE. The duo decides to specialize in equipment for the cycling
enthusiast without the condescending attitude so common in
pro shops of the day.
January 1983 -
Charlie and Daniel discover a new breed of bike, thanks to
Dan's son, Jeff - the ATB - a bike that will become known
as the mountain bike.
Spring 1983 -
TWD begins leading group rides to help owners of mountain
bikes find places to ride.
Spring 1984 -
TWD stocks a compete inventory of mountain bikes and accessories.
The store sponsors it first mountain bike races.
December 1987 - Dan Boone moves on to
smaller things, saying "TWD's just too busy.." He later opens
Desert Cycles in small town, Socorro, N.M. Charlie meets future
tandem partner, Nancy Tipton. Charlie begins advocacy partnership
with the City of Albuquerque and the U.S. Forest Service.
Spring 1988 -
Charlie and friends continue to host Sunday mountain bike
rides and hold several races a year.
Summer 1990 - Charlie works
with fellow race promoters from around New Mexico to create
the New Mexico Off-Road Series (NMORS). Charlie is also appointed
to GARTC, Greater Albuquerque Recreational Trails Committee,
the committee which advises the City of Albuquerque on trail
issues.
September 1991 - Tandem partners become
life partners.
May 1994 - Charlie featured in Bike Magazine
article "Travels
with Charlie." Charlie publishes his first edition
of the Cedro Peak trails map.
1995 - Charlie and friend, Bruce Gronseth,
create GET FIT! race and tour, a benefit for the UNM Physical
Therapy students.
Winter 1996 -
TWD expands into space formerly occupied by a garage. New
Mexico's oldest backcountry race, the ULTRA, turns 10 with
50 miles of singletrack at Cedro Peak.
1998 - Ten years
of advocacy efforts becomes Trail Partners, an affiliate of
the International Mountain Biking Association. The shop rediscovers
the joy of road bikes and begins to carry recumbents.
September 1999
- Nancy and Charlie are blessed with a daughter, Katie. TWD
becomes a "family" shop.
February 2001
- Charlie is appointed to the East Mountain Open Space Steering
Committee.
April 2004
- Charlie is appointed to the East Mountain Trails planning
team and promotes the Cedro Peak Trails Park concept.
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