About Us
Our History
Outspokin' Augusta has a history that started around 1977 when I was 17 years old, living in south Augusta. I became interested in 10 speeds and would work on them in the garage of my parents house. My brother Vince and I started commuting on bicycles. While I enjoyed working on them, VInce enjoyed riding them. He came up with the idea of riding his bicycle from Augusta, Ga. to Huntingdon, Pa. with some camping, sleep over with friends and a hotel night or two along the way. Even 30 years later I haven't come close to that kind of ride.
While cycling in Augusta I met RIchard Thompson who had owned a bicycle shop named Breakaway Cyclery. After some talking, Richard sold me the name Breakaway Cyclery along with a hand full of new bikes and two handfuls of old bikes and parts. I was a freshman at Augusta College so I would go to school in the morning and open the shop ,( located in Evans, Ga), from 12-7 p.m. The store was at the corner of Wahington and Belair road. In those days when I closed at night the only light bulb I could see was on at the High School (when it wasn't busted) and one light bulb at Roundtree Grocery store that had closed . Being a wise business man,I knew Evans , Ga. was no place to be, so I loaded up my van and moved to Lumpkin Rd. in South Augusta.
This is where I really got established as a bicycle shop. I commuted to Augusta College and this is when I met Herman Chavarria who was attending A.C. as well. Herman started working with me and we shared the passion of working on , selling, and riding bicycles.
As life moved on we both finished our education and expanded the operation to a second store in down town Augusta. Being from south of the tracks, this was a scary and daring move. I later took over an existing store in Aiken, S.C.., That adventure lasted about a year or so. I picked up the shop inventory and had a crazy idea of opening a store in Macon, Ga. My business life in Macon was exhausting, and ended with me selling the store and name to two guys from Macon.
Around 1992 , I had the opportunity to buy a store in Columbia, S. C. from Chris Hardwick. Chris had made the store into one of the strongest pro cycling shops in the southeast. I felt privileged to have the opportunity to own the shop. As a marketing move it just made sense to change our name from Breakaway Cyclery to Outspokin' Bicycles. That change was harder for me than I had anticipated. I still like the name Breakaway Cyclery and what it stood for. About 1998 my manager in Columbia, Brian Curran came into a great situation and bought Outspokin Columbia. He has still maintained a very professional and friendly bicycle business and we still share ideas, stories, and inventory when needed. In Augusta we gave business a try on Bobby Jones Expressway in front of Wal-Mart, but in the early 2000's the economy was weakening and we decided to bring all of our inventory and personnel under one roof, here at 1904 Walton Way, just down the Hill.
There are a couple of things that Herman and I have been able to keep intact from the initial days of Breakaway Cyclery and are still deep rooted in Outspokin' Bicycles today .Our passion for cycling, our strong desire to help any person that needs help, regardless of race or economic status, and to share our pleasure of cycling and friendships with those who want to share theirs with us.
We have been very fortunate to work with some great people in this area and have created life long friendships with many. I have taken pride in owning a very professional specialty business and thank every employee that has pushed me into keeping it that way .
So far it has been a great ride.
Brett Ardrey