Columbia Falls bike shop is now open, fixing bikes

Columbia Falls now has its own bike shop.

Travis Feller recently opened Over the Mountain bike shop, which is located behind Three Forks Grille and is currently open for all sorts of bike repairs.

Feller, 38, is originally from Great Falls but, until moving here, was a frequent visitor to the Flathead for mountain biking. He and his wife Dana had originally intended to open a bike cafe, and found that Columbia Falls would be the perfect place – it’s cozier and the prices are more manageable compared to elsewhere, Feller said. The cafe plans were sidelined for the time being and the shop is set to have a grand opening next spring.

Feller is an avid cyclist and although he’s worked other jobs, he’s been a bike mechanic for 15 years.

“My main passion in life has been wrenching on bikes,” he remarked.

He started racing BMX in middle school and mostly does mountain biking these days, but he’d like to get a road bike soon for Going-to-the-Sun Road and the Flathead’s other paved rides. When he’s not working on bikes, he enjoys hiking, carpentry, welding, reading, and snowboarding in the winter.

The backcountry access of the Flathead has always appealed to him. He’s also following the development of Cedar Flats and hopes to see cross-country skiing there in the future.

“I’m really excited to be over here in the Flathead Valley and be part of the growth,” he noted.

Over the Mountain bike shop is open now to do repairs and sell Fairdale bikes. The grand opening is planned for April or May.

Feller will primarily focus on repair of all bikes, whether it’s top of the line road bikes or kids’ department store tricycles.

He’ll even carry parts to fix wheelchairs.

“I’ll sell some bikes, but mainly do repairs and get some rentals going,” he explained, and said the shop will carry parts and accessories for all types of bikes.

To contact Over the Mountain bike shop for repairs, call 897-2550 or stop by between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.