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Fortress Bikes ready to get people out on the trail

Joseph Abraham
Posted 7/27/21

HURLEYVILLE –– When Hal Simon and his wife Lori, who at the time were Long Island residents, purchased a second home in Rock Hill 16 years ago, he called it his “Fortress of …

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Fortress Bikes ready to get people out on the trail

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HURLEYVILLE –– When Hal Simon and his wife Lori, who at the time were Long Island residents, purchased a second home in Rock Hill 16 years ago, he called it his “Fortress of Solitude.” This was a reference, of course, to the comic book escape of Superman.

So fast forward to today, it seemed only fitting that the name be present in the name of his new bike shop, Fortress Bikes, on Main Street in Hurleyville.

They recently became full-time Sullivan County residents, with Lori as co-owner of the shop, and their two daughters Jamie and Daryl helping with social media and merchandise/design respectively.

“I wanted to be here in Sullivan County [full-time], that was the driving force,” said Simon who had managed restaurants for several years. “It was time to leave Long Island for a simpler life. We were snowshoeing in January and fell in love with the Hurleyville Rail Trail. I had an epiphany that there was no place to rent bikes [at the trail].”

He then began to search for places in town. Eventually he touched base with Party Master’s Perry Gips, who renovated a space within his building on 194 Main Street.

Fortress Bikes which is a member of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce and Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association, has bike and skate rentals, and will have snowshoes available for rent come winter. They also sell snacks, beverages and merchandise.

They have bikes for people of all ages from kids to adults.

The goal for Fortress Bikes, Simon said, “Is to be a part of the community and help people get exercise on a beautiful trail. I also want to make a living doing something fun and bikes make people happy.”

Fortress Bikes is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Simon said they also plan to host corporate events in the future, so if you’re interested, reach out.

For more information you can check out Fortress Bikes on Facebook and Instagram, by calling (845) 843-9555 or by visiting fortressbikes.com.

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