The Ecusta Trail officially opened in July and Venture Ecusta started renting bikes soon after.

Electric bikes have been a popular option there.

HENDERSONVILLE – Hendersonville’s Venture Ecusta Bike Rental saw brisk business over the second half of the summer and, after holding a ribbon cutting Sept. 19, plans to stay open at least through Thanksgiving.

August was the shop’s first full month in business since opening soon after the Ecusta Trail in late July .

Venture's open-air shop operates out of a three-wall pole barn at Lennox Station, next door to Trailside Brewing , with the bikes housed in shipping containers.

“It was a very good month,” co-owner Derek Stipe told the Times-News Sept. 23.

Stipe's wife Summer Stipe, who manages communications, said that they’re averaging 20

See Full Page