"When we see a bicycle in the city, we rejoice as if we saw nature itself; when we see a bicycle in nature, we rejoice as if we saw two great friends!"
~ Mehmet Murat ildan
Kurt Flaman owns Freedom Bike Shop in Penticton. For him, bicycles are more than just transportation or exercise; they're the best way to experience a place he loves.
"For the past 25 years, my crew and I have been collaborating on everything from bicycle sales to service to rentals."
After a quarter century of helping people discover freedom on two wheels, Kurt still talks about the local landscape with fresh wonder. He sees Freedom Bike Shop as a doorway into an experience. An opportunity to explore the Okanagan, particularly the Naramata Bench, not as an observer, but by truly connecting with it.
"It doesn't matter where you are, whichever way we point you or whichever way you want to follow your nose, you'll be blown away. There's literally a postcard around every corner."
Once you're able to peel yourself away from the awe of a storefront made almost entirely of glass, step inside to a variety as widespread as the surrounding landscape.
"All bikes, you name it. Road bikes, gravel bikes, mountain bikes, your everyday family bikes, and bikes just to get outside for some fresh air. We've got something for everyone."
Freedom even has e-bikes. In fact, they embraced them from the very start.
"We've been doing e-bikes for 25 years and have been through some of the analog electronic bikes of old. Now, to see how sophisticated they've become is pretty incredible."
The Freedom Bike Shop philosophy is simple: bikes and bikes only.
"We don't carry e-bikes with a throttle. They may be fun, but we're into bikes, not mopeds."
Freedom also carries cargo bikes one of Kurt's passions. Whether buying groceries, gear, or towing dogs in a trailer, Kurt loves watching people enjoy how maneuverable life can be on two wheels.
"Cargo is a big facet of our business. We're really pro cargo. We've got a couple of our own cargo bikes that we use around town. They come in handy and also show the community what's possible without using a car."
Renting from Freedom is easy by design. Simply head to their website and follow the instructions on the Rentals page. But don't think for a second that this online process takes away from the human interactions we all love when visiting somewhere new.
"We're always on hand for people to contact us by email or phone. Working with someone to plan their local adventures is a lot of fun. Whether one day or several, our team is here to help."
Once you're on a bike, the region opens up in every direction with endless riding opportunities all along the Naramata Bench. Kurt talks about it like someone who still feels lucky to ride here.
"You can grab one of our EMTB performance mountain bikes and head up into the mountains to find 360 degrees of trails and get your forest bath on. We ride right out of the shop and up to our local trails. They're all accessible from town."
If you prefer something gentler, there's also the legendary Kettle Valley Railway Trail (KVR).
"If you're after a more leisurely time, you can grab one of our comfort bikes or one of our comfort e-bikes and hit the KVR. It comes in from the west through town and exits to the northeast. It's a 500-mile-long section that connects to the Trans Canada Trail. Within an hour or two from town, you can be riding up in the alpine, the desert grasslands, the sage mesas, or you can visit the wineries and bistros. There's no shortage of things to run into while you convey yourself on two wheels."
When describing his own riding, Kurt's voice softens.
"Personally, mountain biking on trails is what I prefer most. I like getting into the forest, smelling the pine and listening to the birds. Everything is so peaceful that when ravens fly overhead, their flapping is actually quite loud."
Kurt's favourite zone is the Three Blind Mice Trails above town.
"Nowadays, it's a legitimate BC Recreation Site. There's about 100 kilometres of trails in there, easily."
Despite all the big vistas and serious biking, Kurt's perfect day at work is wonderfully simple.
"Hooking up a youngster with a new method of conveyance and watching those bright eyes realize the freedom they've just attained is why I do this. There's nothing like it."
Having grown up living across Canada and Europe, Kurt stumbled across this magical region and realized he was finally home.
"I moved here 30 years ago and never looked back—the places, the people, the sunshine and the four seasons. You can golf, bike and ski in the same day come spring. We're really lucky to live here."
When as passionate about a place as Kurt, finding ways to care for the people and the surroundings becomes second nature. That's what Freedom Bike does.
"We're strong cycling advocates. Urban life, commuting, and getting out onto Crown land are very therapeutic. Even riding a few kilometres each day can have a very positive effect on both physical and mental well-being. On our team, we've replaced our couches with bikes. Get out for a spin, get the blood flowing, and put the mind at ease."
Kurt believes something powerful happens when people get out of cars and onto bikes.
"You miss so much when you're driving around. Meanwhile, biking is such a tactile experience. Whether paved and passing through a park or Greenway, a rail trail like the KVR, or a hikeable singletrack, trails are the arteries that bind this country together. They've been paved over in so many places to build highways and roads, so it's nice to see people finding a need to reconnect with non-motorized congruence. I think a trail network is like a nervous system, connecting communities. Without those, people tend to isolate and form little islands, which is a real shame. Having trails is very important, as is getting out and enjoying them."
Our local trail network plays an important role in connecting Naramata Bench communities with the rest of the Okanagan Valley. For those living here, sharing such a treasure shouldn't be taken lightly.
"For 30 years, I've told people it sucks here, so that they stay away (laughs). It's our own little paradise. I've been to some spectacular places, but it's always great coming back to such a phenomenal home. There's so much to do. You can unzip your head, take your brain out, put it on the counter, and enjoy the local Epicurean delights or have a challenging, exciting, physical time. Whether chilling or riding, you can enjoy the stunning views and breathe in some fresh air."
For Kurt, inviting you here is inviting you into that feeling of freedom, connection, and discovery. All it takes is a bike, a bit of curiosity, and the willingness to let this place work its quiet magic on you.
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