I always enjoy summer, but last summer my pleasure index inched up several notches when I bought my first carbon bicycle—a featherweight machine that allowed me to fly like the wind.

Before my purchase, I consulted with the Trek Bicycle Store in Mount Pleasant. It took only a few test rides for me to realize it was time to graduate from my sluggish beach cruiser to a sleek, responsive road bike. (I may not be ready for the Tour de France, but at my age I need all the help I can get.)

I learned that the Trek store in Mount Pleasant is South Carolina’s only Trek concept store. As such, it offers bikes for road biking, mountain biking or casual “around town” cruising. In addition, there’s an area dedicated to women-specific bikes, clothing and gear. In fact, because of its great product selection, customer service and commitment to cycling advocacy, the store has—for two years in a row—been voted one of America’s best bike shops by the National Bike Dealers Association.

Owner Ben Gruber wants to get riders out on the roads and trails, exercising and enjoying themselves. “We offer group rides throughout the week,” he says. “There’s a Wednesday night Barn Jam Ride followed by a concert at Awendaw Green. And there are Saturday training rides, including a beginner ride tailored to new bikers. We also promote Trek Travel—vacation rides to other parts of the world such as the American West, Ireland and Italy … they’re a blast.”

Check out this great store and fly like the wind! Go to trekbikesofmountpleasant.com