A couple mechanics work on a dirt bike at Golden State Cycle. The motorcycle dealership has four technicians who are trained by Yamaha and Honda to work on road bikes and dirt bikes. Photo by Mike Gervais

2-9-2008

“Why wait, get out and recreate” – that’s the motto Golden State Cycle is pitching as it celebrates 15 years of business in Bishop under the ownership of Randy Gillespie.

Golden State Cycle is the only full service motorcycle dealership in Bishop, offering all the necessities of on- and off-road cycling, including everything from boots, shirts and jackets, to sunglasses, helmets and gloves.
In addition to selling motorcycles and accessories, Golden State also offers deals on snow-blowers, quads and Rhino off-road vehicles.
“We’re very well stocked with all the parts and accessories for street or dirt,” Gillespie said. The retail department of Golden State is an authorized dealer of popular clothing brands, such as Fox, O’Neil, No Fear, So. Cal and many more.
Golden State Cycle also offers a service department with four Yamaha and Honda factory-trained technicians. Those mechanics can do everything from oil changes to tire mounts to in-depth technical repairs.

Golden State Cycle Owner Randy Gillespi shows off some of the merchandise offered at his store in Bishop. Golden State also sells motorcycles, snow-blowers, quads and more. Photo by Mike Gervais

Gillespie purchased Golden State Cycle in February of 1993. Back then the shop was located at 1220 N. Main St. Approximately four years ago the owner was able to relocate the business to its current location at the old Vons building at 174 S. Main Street in Bishop.
“We were able to expand everything, have a bigger service center and really give Bishop a real motorcycle shop,” Gillespie said of the move.
In celebration of its 15-year anniversary, Golden State began hosting weekly drawings for customers back in October. All residents and visitors have to do is stop by the business and make a purchase and they’ll be entered into the weekly drawing a chance to win free merchandise from Golden State.
The weekly giveaway promotional will culminate in March with the grand prize drawing. All the winners of the regular drawings since October have been entered into the grand prize drawing. The grand prize winner will receive two tickets for the Las Vegas AMA Supercross competition. That event is the culmination of the season for AMA and will be held at the Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday, May 3.
But giving away tickets to the supercross isn’t the extent of Golden State Cycle’s participation in motocross racing. Each year the dealership is instrumental in promoting the GSC Yamaha Arenacross series at the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Bishop, one of the most popular local events of the year for dirt bike and off-road enthusiasts in the area.
“We’ve been extremely active in people’s recreation,” Gillespie said of his business, “we live in a fantastic area for both off road and on road riding.”
To help get people out recreating in the Owens Valley, Golden State Cycle carries trail maps, “so we can educate the public on where to ride,” Gillespie said.
On a more personal level, Gillespie was instrumental in creating the local motorcycle club United We Ride after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centers in New York.
The motorcycle club hosts poker runs and other events throughout the year to raise money for local charities and non-profit organizations, and Golden State Cycle sponsors monthly rides for members of the club.