MORGANTOWN – Chip Wamsley came to Morgantown to get a biology degree from West Virginia University.
In fact, the Parkersburg native earned two degrees in biology, an undergraduate and a graduate degree.
You would think Wamsley might go into the research field, or possibly teach with his educational background.
Instead, Wamsley owns Wamsley Cycles in Seneca Center, a full-service bicycle shop that has been in business since 1976. (Wamsley Cycles has been located Seneca Center since 2001.)
But Wamsley, 68, said he got into the bicycle business first as a summer job that swiftly grew into a passion and a viable company. And it was a story about bicycles that he wrote for his hometown newspaper that fanned the flames even more.
It was that story that got the attention of two entrepreneurs – one a pipefitter and one the owner of several mini marts – who wanted to open a bicycle shop. They contacted Wamsley, who knew about bicycles from his summer jobs. He found himself a partner in Big Wheel Bikes, which was located at the bottom of Fayette Street.
“They asked me to drop out of school and work full-time,” he said. “I said no.”
While in college, Wamsley said he and a friend decided to take their bikes to England and then the rest of Europe for a vacation. He was also looking for a tandem bike to bring home as well.
“I went to England with my bike and we rode 4,000 miles for two-and-a-half months,” he said.
But fate intervened.
Wamsley said he found himself in front of Jack Taylor, an English bicycle builder who was well known for construction of cycle frames.
While the trip was partially pleasure, Wamsley was looking for some advice from European bicycle makers because he had it in the back of his mind that he would one day go in business for himself. And it was through Jack Taylor, Wamsley said, he learned about bicycles and developed his penchant for perfection.
“Our reputation within the industry is so good that we’ve been chosen four times by the Bicycle Dealer Showcase as one of the top bicycle shops in America.”
The shop, which is on Seneca Center’s first floor and is a stone’s throw from the Caperton Trail, not only carries major bicycle brands such as Trek, Specialized, and Bontrager, but also sells mountain bikes, road bikes, comfort bikes and children’s bikes. It also sells cycling gear, does repairs, and rents cycles.
Even though he is from Parkersburg, Wamsley said he never considered leaving Morgantown and its hilly terrain for his business.
“My wife (Debbie) is a hometown girl and I have a large following,” he said.
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