ML Multisport ties together community's cycling enthusiasts

MOSES LAKE — It is perhaps appropriate that there's a bike rack outside Moses Lake Multisport.

When you consider the offerings inside the store, located at 600 Yakima Ave., it's a real no-brainer.

Cory and Pamela Clasen, married since July 2000, had been living in Moses Lake for several years when they got the idea to open the business.

"We came from the Seattle area, and since we've lived here, we've never been able to buy nice quality parts or accessories or, for that matter, bicycles in general," Cory Clasen said. "There is a huge population in this community that cycles and, up until a month ago, they were taking their money outside of town."

Clasen said he has been cycling for about eight years. His wife is involved with My First Triathlon, coming to Moses Lake in June, he explained, and he started cycling to keep up with her.

Open a month, Clasen said that a great number of customers have found the store, and was expecting numbers to build in the summer months.

The store begins its first adult social ride tonight at 6:15. Participants are to meet at the business.

"We're hoping that different people at different times step up," Clasen said. "Maybe they have their own favorite course, so to speak — maybe a 20 mile one week, maybe we'll do a 15 mile ride (tonight), just change it up a little bit and keep people motivated, and keep cycling. It's odd — there's a lot of people in town that cycle, but they don't know each other. We're hoping to connect people."

It's easier for people to stay motivated in any type of sport when they have people to do it with, he said, adding that cycling is good exercise and easy on the body. Multisport caters to the triathlon or, as Clasen said, the "swim-bike-run stuff," carrying swimwear, specific gear and cycling gear. He noted that many different offerings in the community make for good training spots.

Multisport also sells for many of the different aspects of cycling, with road enthusiasts and triathlon enthusiasts comprising the largest part of the business clientele over the last month.

Cory and Pamela are the sole workers in the business.

"It's extremely fulfilling in the sense that swimming, cycling and running are all wonderful ways for people to get in better shape," Clasen said. "What we're promoting here is health."

Moses Lake Multisport is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is closed Wednesday and Sunday.