07/30/2026
John & Connie Smith: 18,000+ Miles and Still Riding Strong 💙
We recently had the opportunity to talk with John about his and Connie's cycling journey. No sales pitch. No agenda. Just a conversation about how they got started riding, where cycling has taken them, and what it means to them. It's a story worth sharing.
As retirement got closer, John knew he wanted to be more active. Biking sounded perfect, but he wasn't comfortable on a traditional bike.
"If I fell off a bike, nothing good could happen."
After researching trikes, he visited Lakeshore Cyclery, asked a lot of questions, compared different models, and found a favorite. He never felt pressured, only that he was getting honest answers.
Before John could make up his mind, Connie surprised him with that TerraTrike for his birthday in 2020. Then came COVID, and John rode around 2,000 miles that first year.
"I couldn't wait to get back on the trike."
During his first service, Larry suggested electric assist.
"At first I thought, 'This is where the friendship ends,'" John laughed.
Instead, it changed everything. "I've never looked back since."
Connie was riding alongside him on her bike, but there were days she'd have to cut rides short because keeping up wasn't always fun. Two years later, John returned the birthday surprise and bought Connie a TerraTrike of her own.
"She hasn't been on that two wheeler since."
Today, riding is something they enjoy together. Whether it's the Sauk Rail Trail, the High Trestle Trail, or somewhere new, they're always looking for the next ride.
Since 2020, John has logged more than 15,000 miles and Connie more than 8,000 miles.
When we asked why they continue coming back to Lakeshore Cyclery, John didn't start by talking about the trikes.
"We love our bikes, but the service we get is just unbelievable. When you buy an automobile, you think about the service after the sale. People should think about that when they buy a bike too. I think the service is what sells us."
John and Connie, thank you for trusting us, recommending us to your friends, and letting us be a small part of your journey. Here's to many more miles together. ❤️🚴🚴
