While driving south down Route 9, one may notice the large shed lined with kayaks on the left side of the road. Somewhat less noticeable is the Wooden Ski & Wheel store itself, slightly tucked away from the view of passing motorists. The spacious gravel parking lot has a welcoming atmosphere that makes customers feel comfortable walking into what appears to be a small store. Upon crossing the building's threshold, however, one immediately observes more than what might be expected. The front wall is decorated with photographs, and a gray-haired man talks with a young customer about a mountain bike. Behind the counter is a friendly and personable woman wearing a red apron covered with grease, who is explaining to another customer what she did to his bike chain.

Wooden Ski & Wheel is a family business owned and operated by Ed and Maureen Gardner, along with full-time employee Adam Preston and several other part-time workers. The Gardners' son Myles started to work at the store at age nineteen, and currently has his own mountain biking and backcountry cross-country ski shop in California. Ed and Maureen, who have been married for thirty-five years and currently live between Peru and Keeseville, had been teaching cross-country skiing classes at Plattsburgh State University College when they saw a need for a local specialty store. They literally built the shop themselves, expanding it in later years as the business grew. The store was originally named “Wooden Ski” but was changed to “Wooden Ski & Wheel” the following spring, when it expanded to include bicycles, an idea that was encouraged by a friend.

Today, Wooden Ski & Wheel covers a variety of outdoor sports, in addition to backcountry cross-country skiing and biking. Hiking, kayaking, and snowshoeing have also become part of the shop's foundation. Services include rentals, making repairs, and merchandise sales, all of which vary depending on the season.

Maureen, a self-taught bicycle mechanic, says everything just falls into place in regards to dividing jobs that need to be done for herself, Ed, and Adam, who also teaches canoeing and hiking classes at Clinton County Community College. “The advantage to having a small store is that we're not stuck in roles,” Maureen says of the staff. “We try not to overstep each other. We have rules, and if someone is needed to step in somewhere, we're comfortable doing that.”

Maureen adds that an advantage of having worked on bikes since the 1970s is that she is able to work on older models, which other mechanics may not have the knowledge to do. Ed works with sales and advertising. Maureen is also involved with sales in addition to bookkeeping, clothing buying, and bike mechanics. “I see myself as an overseer among the staff,” Ed says. “We all work with customers but Adam and I tend to do more sales. We all know everybody's jobs and we do things naturally...there are defined areas we try to work around.”

As for customers, Wooden Ski & Wheel tends to see many of the same faces. “In a small town like this, we do get a lot of the same people,” Maureen says. “We've had some people coming for years. Parents bring their kids in, and then their kids grow up and bring their kids in. It's nice to see parents encouraging the next generation to participate.”

"Parents bring their kids in, and then their kids grow up and bring their kids in. It's nice to see parents encouraging the next generation to participate."

Many local outdoor athletes have gone from being casual recreational participants to becoming more serious about sports. In the last five years, Maureen says kayaking has become more popular. “People have realized there are different levels to kayaking,” she says. “It's not necessary to be an expert.”

Wooden Ski & Wheel holds a demonstration in a group format or individually for anyone who wants to purchase a kayak. Multiple kayaks are brought out to the water and the customer can try them out to get a feel for the type he or she wants. The store has a large selection, with extra stock kept in a storage section attached to the main part of the store. Large quantities of bicycles and tires are also stored in this shed by hanging off racks and on the walls. Bikes and the few kayaks still remaining at the start of the winter months will remain there until the spring.

“It also gives a good perspective for people to see these sports are not limited to an age group.”

In addition to basic gear, outdoor clothing like fleece vests are displayed in the store, along with every possible equipment piece one may need for the designated activity. Sport-specific necessities like cycling shoes, paddles, life jackets, and hiking poles are readily available; maps, books, sunglasses, compasses, and water bottles are also on display. Children's sizes are available for many of the items.

Maureen says she and Ed still make sure to stay active by cross-country skiing and taking turns commuting the fourteen miles to work by bike in the summer. “We try not to get stagnant,” she says. “It also gives a good perspective for people to see these sports are not limited to an age group.”

What is your favorite outdoor activity to participate in?

Wooden Ski & Wheel
Route 9 South
Plattsburgh, New York 12901
(518) 561-2790
wooden@westelcom.com

Monday-Saturday, 10:00-6:00

Expeditionary Studies

For college students interested in careers in outdoor recreation, SUNY-Plattsburgh offers a major called Expeditionary Studies.

Sea kayaking, back-country skiing, and ice and rock climbing are the four disciplines one can specialize in. A minor program, called Outdoor Studies, is also available and can be added to any major.

Over twenty courses are currently available, including sea kayaking and rock climbing in the fall semester, and rock climbing, ice climbing, and free-heel skiing in the spring semester. Between semesters, certification to be a Wilderness First Responder is offered. Courses are offered year-round, and class sizes are small due to the nature of the activities.