Local Bike Shop Offers Knowledge As Well As Gear

Retired pastor and longtime local resident Greg Holler-Dinsmore is accustomed to giving his time and energy to community organizing efforts. The Spirit of Life Community Bike Shop is no exception.

Holler-Dinsmore says he and an array of local volunteers are working to make the Fort Peck Reservation the region’s first “bicycle friendly reservation.” Along with selling bikes, the shop is a hub for the cycling community, offering guided rides, access to affordable bikes, parts and gear and most importantly, mechanical know-how.

One of the organization’s primary purposes is to help young people, especially, keep their own bikes rolling while developing the skills to find jobs at bike shops elsewhere, off the reservation.

“It’s a good skill set to take with you to a college town,” said Holler-Dinsmore. He stressed the opportunity for aspiring mechanics to hone their talents in an encouraging environment.

Mark Sansaver and Tori Matejovsky from Great Northern Development Corporation donated the space for the shop, first in the rear of the Cascade Street location and now directly across the street from McDonald’s.

Holler-Dinsmore laughed when recalling a business plan requested by GNDC as part of their support for his work.

“I’m retired,” he said. “It would be great if the shop could provide a couple of jobs in the community.”

Holler-Dinsmore hails from Los Angeles, Calif., and relocated to this area in the late 1980s. Since then, he has split his time between jobs ministering, teaching psychology at Fort Peck Community College and nursing his dream of developing a local cycling community. He served as pastor at Wolf Point’s First Lutheran Church for 15 years, beginning