November 7th, 2025 | by Nathan Baker
This week, we are highlighting a retailer we visited recently, Hush Money Bikes! Our events manager Lily collaborated with them on a mix and match pop up at their store and was raving about her experience when she came back to Vermont. She could really feel the sense of community they had built in Pennsylvania. We asked the owner, Nathan Baker to share about how he had built such a strong sense of community in Pennsylvania and around the bike shop. Here's what he had to share.
This week, we are highlighting a retailer we visited recently, Hush Money Bikes! Our events manager Lily collaborated with them on a mix and match pop up at their store and was raving about her experience when she came back to Vermont. She could really feel the sense of community they had built in Pennsylvania. We asked the owner, Nathan Baker to share about how he had built such a strong sense of community in Pennsylvania and around the bike shop. Here's what he had to share.
Fifteen years ago I worked in a fancy bike shop in Philadelphia where every day I had to wear a button-down shirt. I learned a ton about helping people go fast, but I learned just as much about what I wanted my own bike shop to look like (or not look like). That shop did brilliant work, but I didn't fit in. So from day 1 on 4/20 of 2020, when the universe cleared a path for Hush Money to exist, we knew who we were. We were facilitators of fun.
Fifteen years ago I worked in a fancy bike shop in Philadelphia where every day I had to wear a button-down shirt. I learned a ton about helping people go fast, but I learned just as much about what I wanted my own bike shop to look like (or not look like). That shop did brilliant work, but I didn't fit in. So from day 1 on 4/20 of 2020, when the universe cleared a path for Hush Money to exist, we knew who we were. We were facilitators of fun.
Hush Money Bike facilitating some type 2 fun :)
Hush Money Bike facilitating some type 2 fun :)
Eventually, the culture around the shop kinda created itself. Fun begets more fun. We started hosting non-competitive events because, to us, they were more fun than races. (We like bike racing too! But we know our lane and mostly try to stay in it.) First it was Boxcar Neal's Mixed Luggage Ride, a free, easy overnight bikepacking trip we've hosted (almost) every month for five years.
Eventually, the culture around the shop kinda created itself. Fun begets more fun. We started hosting non-competitive events because, to us, they were more fun than races. (We like bike racing too! But we know our lane and mostly try to stay in it.) First it was Boxcar Neal's Mixed Luggage Ride, a free, easy overnight bikepacking trip we've hosted (almost) every month for five years.
In 2021 we saw the Opt Outside movement gaining steam, and we wanted to be a part of it. I had a name for a ride that I thought was funny, but it had a curse word in it. That one curse word your Nonna really hates. The one that rhymes with truck. But we let it fly anyway, and were pleasantly surprised to see the cycling community fully see the fun in the Hush Money Fall Fuckaround. Packaged as part of our Hush Money Homecoming Weekend and Made-Up Awards Party, it has become a staple of our regional cycling calendar. The event sells out every year at 330 riders, who come from as far as Richmond, VA and Richmond, VT (no for real). We also offer free entry to any person working in the bike industry, because bike shops gotta be looking out for bike shops. All for what's really just a bike ride with friends, in the name of fun.
In 2021 we saw the Opt Outside movement gaining steam, and we wanted to be a part of it. I had a name for a ride that I thought was funny, but it had a curse word in it. That one curse word your Nonna really hates. The one that rhymes with truck. But we let it fly anyway, and were pleasantly surprised to see the cycling community fully see the fun in the Hush Money Fall Fuckaround. Packaged as part of our Hush Money Homecoming Weekend and Made-Up Awards Party, it has become a staple of our regional cycling calendar. The event sells out every year at 330 riders, who come from as far as Richmond, VA and Richmond, VT (no for real). We also offer free entry to any person working in the bike industry, because bike shops gotta be looking out for bike shops. All for what's really just a bike ride with friends, in the name of fun.
Pictures above: Fuckaround 2024 - This guy won the award for best bike AND worst bike
Pictures above: Fuckaround 2024 - This guy won the award for best bike AND worst bike
The catch to the facilitating fun thing is you really have to believe it. Forcing fun and edginess always just comes off as... forcing fun and edginess. And if "fun" isn't the vibe you put out there, that's ok too. Just be yourself, whether that's wholesome or serious or kooky. Your people will find you.
P.S. We recently received this awesome comment on our site from a happy Hush Money Bikes customer and thought we'd share :)
The catch to the facilitating fun thing is you really have to believe it. Forcing fun and edginess always just comes off as... forcing fun and edginess. And if "fun" isn't the vibe you put out there, that's ok too. Just be yourself, whether that's wholesome or serious or kooky. Your people will find you.
P.S. We recently received this awesome comment on our site from a happy Hush Money Bikes customer and thought we'd share :)
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