About Kevin Gorman, Owner of Webcyclery
Kevin Gorman
Position: Owner/Founder of Webcyclery, since 1998
Industry experience: 30 years working in bike and ski shops
Kevin's Story
"I was born and raised in the suburbs of Milwaukee, WI. My brothers and I grew up riding cheap bikes - Murrays, Kents, and Huffys - but dreamed of PK Rippers, Redlines, and Mongooses (yes, Mongooses, not Mongeese). I got my first decent bike, a Raleigh 10spd, from Wheel & Sprocket in Hales Corners when I was in the 8th grade. Unfortunately, the bike collected dust while I was in highschool.
The biking bug finally hit me after my first year at the University of Wisconsin in Madison (Thanks Noffer). I bought myself a Specialized RockHopper Comp, which I 'tricked out' with a Scott Uni-Shock and AT-4 goofy-ass handlebar. I thought it was cool.
I had a lot of fun in Madison, a little too much fun. I left school before they could kick me out. I moved in with my parents and brother down in Boca Raton, FL. I got my first job in a shop - Aero Schwinn. I had no experience, but I bribed the owner with a piece of gum. I bought myself my first 'real' road bike, a carbon Specialized Allez Epic w/105, and I upgraded my mountain bike to an S-Works M2. That was a hot bike back in the day.
I left Florida in '92 to follow my passion - alpine skiing. I moved to Alta, UT with my friend Dan. I only lasted a season in Alta, but I loved it. I ended up back in Boca Raton after the ski season...broke as could be. I got my job back at the shop and was lucky enough to work there with my brother Todd (aka MeanTodd). After 8 more months in Boca, it was time to go back to school, so Todd and I moved up to Tallahassee and I enrolled at Florida State University. I got a job at Tec's Pro Shop. It was in Tallahassee that I really found my passion for cycling. I was doing group rides, rode my first century, raced a little bit (won my first MTB race...then it went downhill from there...), and even dabbled in observed trials.
After 2 years of school and a couple of summers in Paris, I graduated with a degree in French (long story). Immediately after I graduated in the summer of '96, I packed up a rental car, and with my trusted dog Jeff as my co-pilot, bee-lined out to Bend, OR.
I got a job working for Teague down at the Footzone for a few months as I started working on building WebCyclery in the garage of my apartment, which we officially launched in February, 1998.
Ever since, I've been living the dream. I own a kick-ass bike and nordic ski shop in Bend. I LOVE what I do. I have a GREAT staff that I REALLY, REALLY like, including both my brother Todd and our dad, DickieG. I get to ride bikes and ski a lot, and share those passions with people everyday.
In 2015, I met my wife, Leslie McIntyre. We got married in 2017, and now I'm the proud step-father of our shop grom, Carson, a big-time hucker. I really couldn't be much happier. I'm looking forward to the next 20 years!"
More About Kevin
Where are you originally from? Waukesha, WIWhen did you start riding/skiing? I started mountain biking in the early 90's. I didn't get back into nordic skiing until I moved to Bend and had to learn to ski to compete in the Pole Pedal Paddle race.
When did you start working in bike or ski shops? 1992 in Boca Raton, FL.
What shops have you worked at? Aero Schwinn in Boca Raton, FL and Tec's Pro Shop in Tallahassee, FL, and WebCyclery/WebSkis ever since.
What is your favorite type of riding? skiing? If I had to choose one, I'd say Mountain biking. When it comes to nordic skiing, I prefer classic skiing in track over skating.
Tell us about your bike or ski quiver....whatcha got and what's your favorite? I've trimmed my quiver quite a bit. I have a Moots road bike w/S&S couplers, a steel single speed Chris Kelly CX bike, a Co-Motion Klatch CS3 gravel bike, a Scott Voltage FR710 for downhilling, a Scott Voltage YZ0.1 dirt jumper, and my favorite bike, a Scott Genius 700 Ultimate. As far as skis, I've got a shit ton. Lots of Fischer SpeedMax and Carbonlites (skate and classic), Salomon Skins, Madshus Redline Classic, My Speedmax Plus Classic is my favorite.
Where is your favorite place to ride? ski? So far, my favorite place to ride road bikes is in the French Alpes, but Italy and Spain aren't too shabby either. Mountain biking is tough....Oakridge is pretty awesome....but so is Hurricane, Moab, Park City, Ketchum, and Whistler....and Bend is a great place to ride as well. As far as skiing goes, when I leave Bend I like to ski the trails in Hayward, WI when they have plenty of snow. The Methow is great too.
Describe your dream bike. I think I have it - My Genius ROCKS! I'm on my 3rd one. My next Genius will have XTR again....or maybe it'll be a Ransom!
What are some of your favorite products that WebCyclery/WebSkis sells?
Scott Genius.....Moots Routt 45....Fox Transfer droppers....SpurCycle bells....Salted Caramel Gu....Smith glasses....King headsets....Nox wheels....Syncros Hixon bar....Fischer Speedmax skis....Floyd's Vanilla Recovery Drink...Shimano XC7 shoes...Orange Seal...Dynaplugs....Craft Windstopper Boxer...Yoko Gloves