Montlake Bike Shop

Staff Profiles

We have an outstanding staff of knowlegable and friendly cycling enthusiasts.
Their backgrounds vary, from home town to how they ride. Scroll down and meet them!

Patrick Monteith

Senior Buyer
Joined MBS Feb 2008

When I saw E.T. for the first time, I became completely inseparable from my bike. I rode my bmx everywhere I needed to go. I helped organize grassroots bmx races and dirt jump competitions in the rural areas around Houston. From an early age, it was obvious that I loved riding bikes and challenging myself. This affinity has never dwindled. In more recent years, I found a hobby in restoring old bikes. Now, I spend a good deal of my free time participating in various forms of competitive cycling as well as learning about bicycles and the industry. For me, bicycles represent a solution and a great form of personal freedom. I'll ride my bike until I drop dead.

Gary TeGantvoort

Store Manager
Joined MBS May 1998

I started riding bikes at 4 years old and have loved the sport ever since. In 7th grade I followed a local bike shop manager for my "job shadow". Many years later I now manage the best bike shop in Seattle. In 1998 I began working at Montlake Bicycle Shop. I soon started to ride mountain and road bikes. I have since pushed myself to do all types of cycling: BMX, mountain, road, trials, dirt jumping, polo and racing cyclocross. I currently can be found jumping at Greenlake, riding through the many mountain trails in the NW and elsewhere, commuting through Seattle, touring on my trusty Giant, riding anywhere and time I can.

Ben Boyce

Store Manager
Joined MBS July 2005

I grew up in the Great Plains of Southern Michigan where the greatest challenges of a bike ride are headwinds and dog attacks. I enjoy coming to work at Montlake Bicycle Shop for the opportunity to talk to our customers about why they love to ride bikes, and to make sure they can keep riding with help from our high-quality service staff and experienced bicycle fitters. It is the best when I can share my joy of riding bikes with others. Outside of the shop I can be found on my 42-pound ZasTruck hauling groceries, or on my refurbished ‘84 Goose that I bought from my cousin for $40 (thanks, Mikey!), or on a wide range of sweet single-speeds, or cleaning all of these bikes!

Michael Allen

Sales/Mechanic
Joined MBS July 2010

I grew up in an Oregon suburb where for years I was completely dependent on cars for transportation. I graduated high school, inherited an old frame from my dad, and have used pedal power to get around ever since. I have upgraded my wheels since that first bike from my dad, but the thrill is the same. I can be found commuting on my bike to all of my favorite places in Seattle. Seeing the world on two wheels is one of my favorite things about living in this city.Since 2010 I've worked in sales and service at Montlake Bicycle Shop where I am the senior tall-bike test rider. When not biking I can be found studying maps, playing folk guitar, and frequenting taco trucks.

Rob Van Wyk

Mechanic
Joined MBS March 1996

Then and now, I am thankful for the break given to me as a very green but enthusiastic bicyclist. Having been an avid mountain biker and bicycle tourer I brought some practical experience but have most enjoyed investing time in the technical and mechanical aspects of bicycles. Eighteen years later I have made the rounds of MBS locations, five in total. Being able to provide a commuter with a safe and reliable ride or a mountain biker with a refreshed suspension system is satisfying. I do believe this quality and service oriented view is shared by my co-workers and am certain it is one of the reasons I have stayed with Montlake Bicycle Shop

James Stroud

Sales
Joined MBS July 2013

Like many I began riding at a young age in my driveway, with my father giving me a firm push, yelling "Pedal! Pedal!", and finally running after me when my knees bit the gravel. Aside from growing up and moving from the Cascades to the city, not much has changed. I am no stranger to road rash and taco'd wheels and my coworkers will confirm I could use some practice keeping the rubber side down. Bumps and scrapes aside, my love for cycling never waivers. I have even added a mountain bike to the mix, which definitely adds to the bumps! When I'm not at the shop you can find me tearing it up on the cyclocross course as well as the streets of Seattle.

Aaron Grant

Sales
Joined MBS June 2007

Cycling provides me with a sense of freedom and personal power unlike anything else out there. For no dollars, I can walk outside throw a leg over my bike and be on my way to some sort of adventure. I grew up on the north side of Lake Washington in Kirkland and have been riding bikes to work and school ever since fourth grade, when they started letting us ride to school. My very first bike just whet my appetite and now you can see me playing bicycle polo on Capitol Hill, hitting the mountain bike trails on the I-90 corridor, racing around the dirt with my 'cross bike or spinning down the road on one of my skinny tire bicycles.

Carolyn Eaton

Sales
Joined MBS August 2008

Growing up in Seattle bikes have always been a part of my life. My parents didn’t have a car for most of my childhood and I spent a lot of time in the child seat on the back of my dad’s bike. As I got older bicycling continued to be the most logical way to get around. Soon, I found myself riding all kinds of bikes! I love to ride on gravel, pavement and for long distance vacations. It is fitting that I work in a bike shop and am able to share my passion for cycling with our customers every day. Today I can be found commuting to work or just heading out for a weekend spin.

Adam Deemer

Mechanic/Sales
Joined MBS May 2013

I enjoy riding bicycles very much. I am grateful for the opportunity to work at Montlake Bicycles. While most of my coworkers are much more experienced than myself, I am happy learning more and more every day. I've been in the bicycle industry for 15 years.