Nikole Babb
nbabb@cherryroad.com
A community built on two wheels is quietly taking shape in El Dorado. From traveling to country to compete to practicing in the parking lot, the various aged bike riders, racers and tricksters will tell you this is exactly what the town needs.
Life on two wheels is something CC Bike Co., Owner Aaron Cole is all too familiar with. After opening his shop in El Dorado last year with his young daughter Ivy in tow, the two BMX racers were determined to build a community on two wheels and a love for bikes. After a year of hard work, it seems to be paying off.
From sponsorships for big races to ramps being built through donated labor and lumber, Cole says it’s exactly what he wanted to foster.
“Everything is falling into place, you know,” said Cole. “It’s kind of naturally, too, nothing is being forced.”
While CC Bike Co., represents racers across the nation, there’s a large group right here in Butler County and surrounding areas, mainly El Dorado. In September, the team represented nine state placements in various age divisions while securing large donations from Shadow Conspiracy, an internationally known BMX shop.
If you were to ask the BMX’ers about racing, while it brings a smile and light in their eyes, they often state that the community is what it’s all about.
“There’s never been anything like this in this town,” said 27-year-old team racer Jaydin Hutchison. “I wish I would have had something like this when I had those bad days at home, when I needed somewhere to get away instead. That’s what we want for these kids: Is somewhere safe for them to feel. If they don’t feel safe at home, they’re going to feel safe at the bike shop.”
Hutchison has been riding bicycles since he was 13 years old. He now competes with CC Bike Co. and often can be found hanging out after work in the parking lot, teaching younger kids how to fix their bikes and doing tricks on the ramps.
Aside from building a safe place where anyone can learn to ride and fix their own bike, parents of young riders say their kids are learning resiliency, spending lots of time outside and enjoying behavioral benefits. Local parents TaylorRay and Thaddaeus White put their son Theo on a bike when he was just three years old, not knowing he would grow a love for racing. Now their toddler is trailing right behind him.
“It’s good for Theo’s socialization and teamwork skills,” said TaylorRay. “It is an individual sport, but the way that everybody cheers each other on is amazing. Even you’re racing against each other, everybody afterwards says good job.”
Five-year-old Theo placed second at state finals in September along with several other teammates, including Cole’s daughters Ivy and Harley. He says his favorite trick is the bunny hop. The Whites now bring their youngest, Taysom, along for practice, who’s just over a year old. He scoots around on his own trike with dreams to be like big brother and dad one day.
Cole believes in the power of exercise and fresh air benefits children more than screen time.
“Honestly, I’m sorry but in this world that bike is giving that kid the attention they need,” said Cole. “For example, a video game where they’re yelling and screaming at the TV or they’re zombified on their phone watching TikTok, we’re totally against that. I mean, you can’t keep them off it, but you can keep it to a minimum.”
Local entrepreneur and father Brandon Divine says his son Noah has improved in his behavior at school since he started with the team.
The CC Bike Co. team can be seen next in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the USA BMX Grand Nationals from November 23-December 1. The team looks forward to sharing another fried turkey dinner on Thanksgiving, a tradition BMX’ers have taken on for the competition. The team will stay in campers and hotel rooms the entire week and trade their DNA family for bike family during the holiday.
The trip will be entirely fundraised and paid for privately through the families. One 16-year-old racer, Taven, works two jobs in order to fund his racing dreams. He’s been racing since he was just two years old and has competed with CC Bike Co. since 2022.
Sponsorships and donations are open and available for those willing to support the team. Contact the shop for more information by calling 316-874-3101 or by email at Ccbikeco77@gmail.com.
