KYLE KELLEY & GOLDEN SADDLE CYCLERY
Words & Images by Dominique Powers
“This shop means my life. To me the most important thing this shop ever did was make people be friends with folks that they otherwise wouldn’t be friends with.”
-KYLE KELLEY
It’s another beautiful sunny day in LA as Kyle Kelley reflects on his time with Golden Saddle Cyclery, the local bike shop that he started 11 years ago, that is closing its doors this coming December. Golden Saddle Cyclery has been the longest standing bike shop in Los Angeles and its reputation precedes itself. It’s chock full of good energy, rare and cool bike parts and apparel, and a knowledgeable and friendly staff that can fix your bike, or point you in the direction of a stellar ride.
It doesn’t feel like the end for the GSC family, it’s impossible to imagine that the community won’t come back together like magnets yearning for a central point to return to- but it’s a pause, a breath. A chance to reflect on the joy this space and its people have brought to the community near and far. The folks in these photos, whether having been at GSC for a few months, or since the beginning, have brought customers joy, met folks with a smile when they come in, and have soothed all their bottom bracket woes.
I asked Kyle what he was most proud of during his time with GSC and his answer was immediate. “This shop employed almost 10 people during the pandemic and allowed them to live normal lives. I never thought when we opened this that that would be one of the most important things this shop ever did but after the pandemic I saw how important it was that we were able to keep paying 10 employees throughout this crisis.”
If you’re in LA stop by for some memorabilia, and to experience the magic of GSC while it’s still here.
This story is one part of a series by Dominique Powers called Community. Dominique is a renowned photographer in the cycling industry who has a special ability to capture personalities in her stunning portraits. She is based in Los Angeles and connects to her community through the bike. We invited Dominque to introduce us to interesting people she meets during her rides in Los Angeles and travels to gravel events. Community captures people who are living the same ethos as Flashpoint MVMNT: staying positive and having fun while making the bike community more welcoming and inclusive to everybody. We look forward to meeting the people she introduces us to through Community.