Ever since 1988, people looking to bike the Catskills have found a warm and wise ally in Overlook Bicycles, the Woodstock shop where lifelong rider Billy Denter and his crew offer everything a bicyclist could possibly need or want: best-in-class wheels of every description, custom fittings by appointment, over 50,000 cycling-related items delivered to your door within 48 hours, and two group rides a week over some of the prettiest terrain on the planet.
Unsurprisingly, Chronogram readers have once again named Overlook their favorite. “We are so proud of our undefeated string of Chronogrammies,” says Denter. “Being your readers’ choice—knowing that people who read this great publication take the time out of their day to vote for us—means so much to all of us.”
So what’s the secret sauce? “I think we’re very approachable,” says Denter, celebrated by the Catskill Center as one of 50 influential stewards of these hills in 2019, “and we treat everybody equally; whether you’re a really high-end professional racer or a casual hobbyist or a commuter. We strive to give everybody the same level and quality of attention. That, and I think our mechanical team is excellent. Generally, we’ve got a lot of really happy, friendly faces. We all feel lucky to work here. We’ve got a great team and it’s a great vibe—we consciously go out of our way to be more of a safe haven, a spot where you can be any kind of a cyclist—as long as you’re on two wheels, we love you.”
In 2021, Overlook opened a second location in Shokan, convenient to the Ashokan Rail Trail’s 11.5 miles of beauty and offering rentals of road bikes, mountain bikes, e-bikes, hybrid bikes, and kids’ bikes. Day trippers, vacationers, and beginners can now taste the joy easily and affordably, which dovetails perfectly with Denter’s mission. “Cycling is the great unifier, no matter your race, religion, or creed,” he told Chronogram at the time. “It was my first taste of freedom and independence. It’s good for you, it’s fun, and for me it’s mentally cathartic. It’s like a therapy session on wheels.”
This article appears in July 2023.
