(by Gabby Robinson) When biking south on the Cherry Creek Trail, you might notice the BikeDenver trailer parked in the lot next to a rather non-descript warehouse. Inside is Alchemy Bicycle Company, among other businesses. Inside Alchemy, there is a lobby, also rather non-descript: white walls, a simple desk, and an Alchemy-made bike in the corner. Nothing showy or pretentious. The nine guys who work at Alchemy are just as humble as the lobby: dedicated to their craft, generous to the community, and modest about all of it. Well, sorry Alchemy, but BikeDenver wants to boast about you, and that is what we are going to do here in the latest edition of Bicycle-Friendly Business of the Month!
Let’s begin with the amazing Alchemy team. Each of them works on and in the business, meaning they are all skilled artisans who can design and build a hand-crafted bicycle, as well as handle duties from marketing to shipping. This allows each bike to possess an incredibly personal DNA: a fusion of the craftsman’s handiwork and the customer’s desires. Unlike major brands, an Alchemy bicycle is aesthetically pleasing and performance-engineered to perfection for individual riders’ needs, whether it’s cruising, commuting, or racing. The magic all happens in Alchemy’s shop!
Behind the lobby (and a few offices and photo studio), the crew has all the tools they need to create a custom bike. Whether the customer requests carbon, titanium, or stainless steel, the team can complete the order in 6-7 weeks. The quality of materials Alchemy uses is just the cherry on top of the quality engineering and craftsmanship that each Alchemy employee infuses into each bike.
What else makes Alchemy a top-notch company? They really love the bike community! Bicycle Retailer recently published an article about the bicycling “hub” growing out of the warehouse at 7700 Cherry Creek South Drive. With the convenient location off the Cherry Creek Trail, and because it houses other bike-related businesses such as Primal Wear, Shama Denver, The Pro’s Closet, Tru Fit Training, and a coffee shop (Chroma Café), we can conclude that this is the spot for a bike hub! A B-Cycle station out front (hopefully coming this year) will add to the bike-friendliness of it all. On top of building a gathering place for bicyclists, Alchemy supports local advocacy. They donated two forks and frames to BikeDenver, one of which will be auctioned off at a showing of Bicycle Dreams at the Denver Film Center this March. In the spirit of craftsmanship, Alchemy also contributed four beautiful trophies fashioned from bicycle downtubes to Mile High Urban CX Chaos, a cyclocross event dedicated to wounded soldiers. Next month, catch Alchemy hosting a party benefiting BikeDenver and Trips for Kids at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show. (Check out their bike candy that will undoubtedly be on display there too.)
There are some seriously talented, generous, and wonderful people that fill the spaces behind the humble lobby in the white warehouse in south Denver. Go down and see for yourself! Meet the people, watch them work their craft, and you will be convinced that Alchemy Bicycle Co. is one of the best things to happen to the Denver bike scene since they relocated here from Austin, TX and New England. And the best thing about their company? Matt Simpson, President/Partner at Alchemy, couldn’t have said it better: “The “best thing” about Alchemy is our commitment to each other, our families, our friends, our partners, our suppliers, our city, our ind
ustry and our customers that our brand is more than just a product. We have an incredible culture with soul, our core values are based on ethics, integrity, product performance, design, financial responsibility, and being stewards for and with one another. It is an amazing place to work.”
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BikeDenver’s Bicycle-Friendly Business (BFB) of the Month Award highlights organizations that are making standout contributions and offering great success stories from among BikeDenver’s Bicycle-Friendly Business (BFB) Program members. The BFB program, with more than 140 honorees to date, recognizes businesses, organizations and workplaces that are leading the way to make bicycling an easy and accepted form of transportation in Denver. Nominate a workplace as a Bicycle-Friendly Business here.
Bicycle Friendly Business of the Month Awards: Since partnering in July of 2009 to launch the monthly awards program, Clif Bar and BikeDenver have recognized over 35 work places for their bicycle friendly practices.
December 2012 – Denver Beer Co.
November 2012 – Whole Foods Market Capitol Hill
October 2012 – The Nichols Partnership
September 2012 – Downtown Denver YMCA
April 2012 – Cactus Advertising
February 2012 – Cake Crumbs Bakery
December 2011 – greatBIGcolor, Inc.
November 2011 – Kentwood City Properties
October 2011 – Gates Corporation
February 2011 – Snooze a.m. eatery
December 2010 – Grand Hyatt Denver
November 2010 – Holland & Hart
October 2010 – Solera Green Living
September 2010 – REI Denver Flagship Store
June 2010 – Sweet Action Ice Cream
May 2010 – Denver Regional Council of Governments
March 2010 – Little Man Ice Cream
February 2010 – Salvagetti Bicycle Workshop
January 2010 – The Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado
December 2009 – Denver Pavilions
November 2009 – Human Powered Transit Authority
October 2009 – Jones Lang LaSalle
September 2009 – Downtown Denver Partnership & BID
August 2009 – Historic Denver’s Story Trek
July 2009 (Inaugural) – Watercourse Restaurant
This program is generously sponsored by Clif Bar & Company. Clif Bar started on a bike ride. Founder Gary took a bite of another energy bar and thought he could make a better bar. Today, Clif Bar is a leading maker of all-natural and organic energy and nutrition foods and drinks.www.clifbar.com
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