84 www.electricbikeaction.com
{ SHOP STOP }
EL CAMINO BIKE SHOP
The choice of
generations of riders
By Tony Donaldson
El Camino Bike Shop is a family- owned store that’s been located in Encinitas, California, since 1972.
Encinitas is a beach city in San Diego’s
North County, and it was once named
among the 20 best surf towns in the
world by National Geographic. There’s
obviously a big surf culture here, but
there’s also a huge bike culture.
Currently, the shop is run by the
Schellenger family, and patriarch Will
Schellenger bought into the shop ten
years ago, and has been the sole owner
since 2015. As a family who rides, they
are also friends with their customers.
People know they can come in to the
store and hang out, find just about
anything they need, even fairly obscure
stuff, and get great advice on bikes and
accessories.
When you enter the store, you’re
likely to be greeted by Ernie, a fast-talking man with a considerable
presence and a reassuring smile. Ernie
Boginet is the senior salesperson and
soigneur, according to his card. What we
found is that he’s enthusiastic, genuinely
interested in the people who come to
the shop and very knowledgeable.
He proudly tells us that El Camino’s
customers will travel past several other
local bike shops on the way to the store,
knowing that they’ll find what they need,
even if it’s a rare or obscure item. The
store is filled to the brim with bikes of
every kind and accessories, from tires to
racks to soft goods and more.
As a traditional bike shop, carrying
road, mountain, commuter, hybrid
and BMX bikes, they carry what their
customers want. Inventory is wall-to-wall, with every square inch of the floor
used to display bikes, clothing, helmets
and every kind of accessory you might
imagine.
Haibike is currently their
only brand of electric
mountain bike being sold.