Silver Birch Cycles

06/03/2026

Quick update for those who are aware of the situation with my fender tent going missing. Back in October during the UCI world cup my vendor tent went missing. I'm happy to announce that after 8 months from when my tent went missing ORDA decided to step up and get me a new tent. Thank you to all those who put in a genuine effort to help me find my tent.

05/20/2026

Since opening Silver Birch Cycles, one of my biggest goals has been to work with the adaptive sports community and help make Saranac Lake a focal point for adaptive cycling and other adaptive sports in the Northeast.

Over the past 6 to 8 months, I’ve been working with several organizations and companies to begin acquiring adaptive cycling equipment, particularly e-trikes and recumbent bicycles. This morning, with the support and encouragement of Cycling Without Age, that vision took a huge step forward: Silver Birch Cycles officially became a Van Raam dealer.

This is the first real opportunity for me to offer adaptive bikes and accessories directly to the public, and, a big step towards making roads and trails accessible to everyone.

Becoming a Van Raam dealer is a major investment of both time and money, but more importantly, it represents a commitment to supporting the adaptive cycling community in a meaningful and lasting way. I had to demonstrate not only the ability to sell their products, but also the dedication and resources necessary to truly support the people who use them.

This is something I deeply believe in. Cycling should be for everyone, and I’m incredibly excited about what this means for our community and for the future of adaptive sports here in the Adirondacks.

Anyway, I just wanted to share this exciting update with everyone. There’s a lot more to come.

Browse every vanRaam bike category — from tricycles and tandems to wheelchair bikes and transport bikes. Made to order, electric assist available.

05/12/2026

There will be an unloading zone with friendly volunteers to help you. Feel free to help others unload.  Please remove your vehicle from the unloading zone as soon as you are finished.   ​

05/04/2026

Last October, I had the opportunity to set up as a vendor at the UCI World Cup events at Whiteface Mountain and Mount Van Hoevenberg. Like every other vendor, I paid for my space and brought my setup—including my shop tent.
After the event wrapped up, I asked Blaine, the Project Manager in the events department, if I could store my tent temporarily so I could head back to Whiteface to support a friend racing downhill. I was told to leave my tent and gear in one of the cross-country ski wax cabins and that everything would be safe until I returned.
When I came back the next day, all my other items were there—but my tent was gone.
At first, I was told it may have just been moved and would turn up. A week later, I was told it might have been taken accidentally by a broadcast crew and that they’d reach out to track it down. Since then, I’ve gotten a lot of “we’ll look into it” and “we’ll get back to you”—but no tent, and no real answers.
I’ve tried reaching out through multiple channels at ORDA, and I haven’t been able to get any resolution.
This isn’t just a missing piece of gear—it’s a key part of how I show up to events as a small, local bike shop. To have it disappear at a major international event, with no clear path to a solution, is incredibly frustrating and honestly unacceptable.
So I’m putting this out to the community:
If anyone has seen a vendor tent that may have been picked up from Mount Van Hoevenberg during the UCI World Cup weekend, or if you have any connections that could help track this down, I’d really appreciate it.
At this point, I’m just looking for answers—whether that means getting my tent back or figuring out how this gets made right.
Thanks in advance for any help or shares.
Picture included for reference.

04/11/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/18X7isLYP8/

03/22/2026

Ice Rescue Demonstration and Practice (RSVP HERE)

Purpose:

1. Show ice users (i.e. skaters, fishermen) the gear required to facilitate self-rescue or rescue by peers or a professional team.

2. Provide ice users (i.e. skaters, fishermen) the opportunity to practice self-rescue and peer rescue techniques.

When: Sunday, March 29, 2026, 11:30am-2:30pm (end time pending on number of participants)

Where: Lake Flower Boat Launch at Pontiac Bay, Saranac Lake, NY. https://maps.app.goo.gl/69GN6Ce3zChw3Bxr6

Who: Open to all ice users (including skaters and fishermen) and anyone interested in reducing their risk while recreating on wild ice. RSVP here.

What: Participants will have the ability to practice self-rescue and team rescue during this event. No gear will be provided for liability reasons. Bring the gear you would be using and clothes you would be wearing during your typical wild ice outing. Bring items you would benefit from after a “cold plunge” (blanket, change of clothes, hot chocolate, etc).

Description: This event will be divided into three parts with an optional Apres-Rescue Social)

1. “Show and tell” and discussion of the gear ice users should ideally have when venturing out on wild ice to test ice, self-rescue if necessary, aid in the rescue of others and facilitate emergency rescue team efforts. Much of the gear for Nordic skaters is also appropriate for other ice users.

2. Experienced Nordic skaters (Dan Spada, Justin Oliver (owner of Silver Birch Cycles), and others) will demonstrate self-rescue techniques using ice claws and throw ropes.

3. Participants will be able to practice ice self-rescue in a controlled environment after signing a waiver and having their gear inspected.



Apres-Rescue Social at RiverTrail Beerworks with the organizers and fellow ice enthusiasts from 2:30-4pm. Food and beverages for purchase at the venue.

Disclaimer

This event is meant to provide information that has been gathered via reading, the internet, collegial discussion and practical experience. We hope that by presenting it participants will gain a better appreciation of safety equipment and its use, respect for the environment in which they recreate, and techniques to reduce risk on wild ice to individually acceptable levels.

02/13/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CeQmR8WGo/

02/04/2026

One of the main goals I had with my shop is to provide people with bicycles they can simply have fun on. Having fun on a bike means many different things to many different people, so I made it a point to find bikes to offer for everyone.
This Sunday is the Winter Carnival Blue Buns Ride, and I want people to enjoy the bikes, especially the unusual and interesting ones. Below is the second installment of bikes available to use. Let us know what you want to ride.
Happy Carnival!

01/28/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17rsef48ES/

01/25/2026

https://bikepacking.com/news/alex-pretti-tribute/