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About
Tom Jones and Rich Adams launched Around Town Bikes in 2004. Both avid cyclists, Tom and Rich bring a perfect combination of biking industry experiences to their business.
Our Founders
Tom grew up in his family’s bicycle shop, Sickler’s, a Wilkes-Barre institution that served bicycle enthusiasts for 63 years. After selling that business in 1996, Tom worked for a leading bicycle manufacturer gaining more experience in operations, sales, marketing, and product management. With his uncanny industry knowledge, his laid-back style and genuine persona, Tom created a successful business, but more importantly, became the driving force to reinvigorate downtown Wilkes-Barre, and the bicycle community. Sadly, Tom lost his battle with cancer in 2017. He is sorely missed but thought of often. Since then, Rich has taken full ownership of the business and continues their original mission of bringing people together on bikes.
Our History
As early as Rich can remember pedaling was in his blood. Hours on a big wheel as a child, days spent gone with friends riding BMX, unsupported tours as a teenager, Rich’s love of bicycling has never wavered. Now as an adult Rich rides road in the Summer, mountain in the Fall, and commutes to work when feasible all year around. You will often see him downtown on his basket bike, custom built for lunch runs and farmer’s market.
Our Mission
Rich’s path to ATB was a circuitous one. After graduating with an engineering degree from Lehigh, Rich worked in the Semiconductor Industry were he realized his passion lay somewhere else. Living in the bike mecca of San Francisco, Rich changed gears from engineering to bicycles and frame building. He has been developing and building custom bicycles for over 19 years. Rich’s fabrication shop is on display for visitors at ATB. He specializes in fillet-brazed or classic lugged Road frames but also builds TIG-welded 29″ Hardtails and specialty bikes in the off-season. “While I wear many hats, I now concentrate mostly on sales and service. I love building frames and especially like solving a riders issues with specific customization.”
