When a bike store in Pittsburg recently closed, Iolan Ben Alexander took it as an opportunity to open a second Southwind Cycle & Outdoor store there.
Alexander opened the Pittsburg store the first of March.
“Pittsburg’s Tailwind Cyclists had been successful for 20 years. When it closed earlier this year, it left a big gap for cyclists,” Alexander said. It also gave him the confidence that he could replicate the success he’s had in Iola down there. Alexander has owned Southwind Cycle at 17 E. Madison since 2018.
Alexander’s Pittsburg store is at 511 N. Broadway, the heart of downtown.
Though Pittsburg lacks a mountain bike trail system, it has a robust biking community, Alexander said.
“Pittsburg is a similar dynamic to Iola,” he said. “There are lots of people who work at the university or other white-collar jobs who view riding a bike as recreational.
“Pittsburg is still a pretty small town. It’s fun to ride around the neighborhoods on your bike in the evenings or go out on family bike rides. The college students are also good customers for us.
“Southeast Kansas is also extremely poor, and so when families received extra stimulus with the child tax credits during the pandemic, some had the means to repair their bikes or even purchase bikes. That was good for us, for sure. 
“All of a sudden, people had a bit more cash. So instead of cobbling together bikes from the junkyard, they were able to get something that works really well. People increasingly are using bikes for transportation, serious transportation.”
“There are people who use a bike as their sole means of transportation for a variety of reasons. There are people who have been bike enthusiasts for decades,” he said.
As with any machine, bikes need regular maintenance.
“That keeps us busy, especially this time of year. It’s kind of a joke in the bike industry that every kind of bike that’s ever been made since 1982 is suddenly reappearing and in need of repair. Sometimes we can do that, other times we recommend the junk pile,” Alexander said.
Electric bikes have become more popular in recent years. The bikes come equipped with either a pedal assist or a throttle and pedal assist. Most are limited to a maximum speed of 20 mph. 
The additional power “allows riders to cruise along or cruise along and pedal,” depending on their preferences.
The feature doesn’t necessarily defeat the point of exercising, Alexander maintained.
“It just allows you to go farther and faster than you otherwise would. Say your commute to work is longer than you have time for on a traditional bike. The e-bike makes that commute possible.
