Jon Bailey

Hometown? Akron, OH

Years in the cycling industry?

If you were a dog, what breed would you be? A bird. But Joe’s a dog person so I’ll say Pomeranian.

Fixies? Yeah, nah, or meh? Yes. Yes. It’s all I ride. Fixed for life. 

Tacos or burritos? Burritos. 

Favorite Tool? I would have to say headset press. Cause when EC and I worked at MBS we used to use 2 x 4’s and a hammer. Speaking of MBS, we need a softball game re-match. The DAG is my least favorite tool.

Do you want to share your favorite ride around Durango or just say Twin Buttes? E-bike on the river trail. It’s just the path of least resistance. 

Give us a pro tip (does not need to be bike related.) Hydration

What’s your story? It was the movie Rad that inspired Bailey to get on the bike around age seven. “I just thought the coolest thing to do would be to bike commute.” He got his first job at a bike shop in Akron where his co-workers got him into mountain biking and he started racing as a teen. Not only is Bailey’s racing career impressive- he smashed 24 hour races and dove into the endurance scene, but his adventures by bike are what really stand out. His first bike tour was from Durango to Fort Collins, inspired by a Raleigh Alyeska that was just begging to be ridden. He loves the freedom and space of just being outside and says there is nothing better than a bike tour with friends. He has called Durango home since 1999 and has worked at Durango Cyclery since 2004. Here at the shop, he specializes in recycled bike builds and can put together a mean polo bike. Jon Bailey is also a long-time coach for Durango Devo. He has worked with just about every age group and helped grow the Explorers program (the first youth bikepacking program in the world.) He just loves riding bikes with kids and developing life-long cyclists. His talent extends beyond cycling and mechanic-ing. Everyone who is anyone knows Bailey’s art. You can see his art on many event posters, such as for the Silverton Whiteout, murals- like the one on our building, in his regular column in Mountain Flyer magazine as well as at the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic 50-year Anniversary exhibit and at Studio & Gallery.