Business & Tech

Selling the Joy of Biking for Nearly 18 Years in Morganville

Wally Tunison, the owner of The Bicycle Hub off Route 79, says "We live, breathe and eat bicycles."

Since 1994, Wally Tunison has been Morganville's resident bike guy.  His shop, located next to the Henry Hudson paved pedestrian path, is a landmark for pedal pushers who appreciate personal service.

"We have an in-depth knowledge of bikes and their inner workings," he said. People don't often realize what it means to have a bike that is properly assembled and well-taken care of, said Tunison.

Kids get frustrated when learning to ride because their bike just isn't put together correctly. Adults give up cycling because they spent a lot of money on a bike that doesn't ride well. "It leaves a bad taste in their mouths," Tunison said, adding that buying bicycles from larger department stores means the bikes may not be assembled correctly, and will cost just as much to fix as it was to buy.

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"Our customers are being drawn to the pricing in the big-box stores and the Internet, and that is seducing them into thinking they can get a good deal," he said. "Often, we are the first place that those bikes come to within weeks after purchasing, because the mass merchants and online bikes are rarely, if ever, assembled correctly and properly spec'd."

But The Bicycle Hub always has a sale, and Tunison said there is always something affordable for the family, the new cyclist or the advanced cyclist.

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"We always have something on sale, we understand budgets are extremely tight," he said. "We also know folks still want to ride bikes. We create a balance between the pocketbook and quality."

And Tunison isn't simply concerned with the quality of your bike, he is also concerned with the quality of your riding experience.

Tunison is partially responsible for establishing the Henry Hudson Trail biking and walking path throughout Monmouth County, is the co-founder of Jersey Offroad Bike Association, a lifetime member of the International Mountainbike Association and a cycling advocate for the state. Tunison has been been to Washington D.C. to lobby for pedestrian rights throughout the country.

"That's who we are, it's what we do," he said. "We live, breathe and eat bicycles, because we like bicycles."

Behind The Bicycle Hub is the Henry Hudson Trail, and Tunison considers his shop "the home of the Henry Hudson Trail."

The shop has parking for the trail on the property, and is a trail head for the Marlboro portion.

"We want to establish a culture of cycling in the greater Monmouth County area," Tunison said.

Tunison works on securing safe pedestrian paths and promoting the use of bicycles and walking over automobiles, helping to reduce the carbon footprint.

Now, the Henry Hudson Trail is home to the morning stroll, afternoon bike-ride and weekend hike. On a beautiful day, the trail is busy, and is even the site of the annual .

"It all started out as an idea," he said.

Now, Tunison is working with, Monmouth County Heritage Trail, public support group for the completion of the Henry Hudson Trail. Right now, the trail runs 12 miles long, beginning at the Matawan Train Station and running through Freehold Borough.

According to the Bicycle Hub website, the return of an active NJ Transit railroad side could put the trail in jeopardy.

"The trail is administered by the Monmouth County Park System and is leased for the next 18 years for the use as a trail. However at NJ Transits' request it could revert back to a railroad and Monmouth County would lose over 2.2 million dollars in trail construction."

But Tunison's passion, and the passion of the several organizations he works with, could save the pedestrian path and secure the safety of pedestrians in the future.

The beauty of the trail, especially in the section behind the store, is something Tunison said people don't really believe until they see it.

"People come back a little tweaked, a little better for it," he said.


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