DARREN LUPHER
NW Velo Sales Founder
Alaska / Western Washington / Western Oregon
Darren’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for bikes developed at an early age which accounts for his 25 years of experience in the industry. Successful sales techniques and the importance of customer service were learned during his entire childhood from watching his father who earned his living as a sales rep in the food industry. So while other kids in the neighborhood were mowing lawns, he was refurbishing old and dilapidated bicycles and reselling them through the local newspaper in his hometown of Boise, Idaho. Throughout his teens he raced BMX bikes, was a Juniors Road Racer, captain of his high school cycling team, and worked at local bicycle shops starting at the age of 15.
Darren’s love of cycling didn’t end when he had to start earning a living after high school. He moved to Seattle and secured a job at the largest bicycle shop in the Northwest, Gregg’s Greenlake Cycle. After a few years of fine tuning his customer service skills in the high volume retail sales of Seattle’s destination shop, Darren’s intuition and highly competitive spirit took over and he launched Northwest Velo Sales in 1992.
During the summer of 1999 he launched Boise, Idaho’s first Multiple Sclerosis 150 charity ride and continued to be involved as chairman of the board for the following two years. Outside of NWVS, Darren spends as much time as possible riding around the Pacific Northwest with friends either by bicycle or any number of his vintage motorcycles educating people on the sport of two wheels. Darren’s passion runs deep and so does his commitment to the industry.
Rich Sobieski
Eastern Washington / Eastern Oregon / Northern Idaho
Rich’s interest in the outdoor industry started simply, with his first job at a ski shop, at an early age. At that time he was only interested in high-speed snow adventures and chairlifts; however, contrary to popular belief, the Pacific NW’s winter doesn’t last forever.
Over one long summer passing the time between winter arenas, Rich picked up mountain biking. At that time, mountain biking to Rich meant three simple ideas: single track without the aid of suspension could be both challenging and thrilling, ascending under one’s own power is somehow strangely satisfying, and at that point, no lift lines!
Rich spent 10 years living in Whatcom County. He spent a majority of that time bike-commuting through the “City Of Subdued Excitement” and mountain biking on one of the crown jewels of Western Washington, Galbraith Mountain. After working in numerous bike shops, inside sales at Softride, and a detour in the kayak industry, he brings a Swiss Army Knife worth of knowledge and experience to NW Velo Sales.
In order to service the Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon and Northern Idaho customers of NW Velo Sales’ territory, Rich moved his family to sunny Spokane. There he is able to enjoy the wealth of out sports that Eastern Washington has to offer while being closer to his extended family. With a varied perspective on our two-wheel sports, he always has mother’s approval!
TOM PIKE
Montana / Wyoming / Southern Idaho
Tom Pike began his cycling career in the 70’s as a way to cross train for ski racing. What began as something to do during the summer months quickly became a sport of choice, a sport that led him through a modest bike racing career during the 80’s and 90’s.
In order to support his ski and bike racing, Tom’s enthusiastic drive led himto managing several ski/bike shops throughout Colorado and Washington.
By 2006 Tom decided to take his skill set outside of the retail market and into
the territory of outside representative. Tom moved his wife and two daughters
to the beautiful Treasure Valley area of Boise, Idaho, first working for a mix of mostly ski brands. In early 2010 he joined NW Velo Sales to help manage the territory of Southern Idaho, Montana and Wyoming while still keeping his foot
in the ski arena. Tom’s exceedingly likable personality makes him a great
asset to our company.
