About Josie

Josie Smith -Store Manager, Blogger, and First Lady of the Decorah Bicycles

I joined Travis at Decorah Bicycles in 2015; it was a bittersweet move as I had made the decision to leave my job of almost 7 years at Oneota Community Food Co-Op. I looked at it as an opportunity to immerse myself further into the industry which changed my life.

Not having a positive relationship with bike riding as a child, I carried that fear with me into adulthood. It wasn't until 2012 when I had finally decided I needed to stop telling myself I couldn't ride a bike. I enlisted the help of a trusted friend who was an avid rider and year-round commuter. I figured if he could ride a bike thru heat, cold, rain, and snow- I could too.

At Decorah Bicycles I found my bike, a used Fuji hybrid. I didn't know it at the time, but that bike would play matchmaker for Travis and myself.

In 2014 I made a goal to become a mountain biker, which was something that I felt would be nearly impossible. However I like to say:“I make the impossible, possible!”
With that I started my blog: Josie's Bike Life, with hopes of inspiring women to experience the joy, healing, and liberation bicycles could offer. I also shared my riding adventures onImagine Northeast Iowawhere you will see and read about my first year of riding experiences.

In 2015 I started Decorah's first women's off-road riding group: FWD - Fearless Women of Dirt.

The move to Decorah Bicycles to work with my partner in life and cycling was a natural step. It's humbling and rewarding to be able to work at the shop and help other folks discover the power that two wheels can offer. I found out first hand how healing cycling can be- it literally changed my life and I wanted to help other folks discover their #bikelife.

It was natural to take my passion for two wheels to the next level and become involved in the industry. Making the decision to work with Travis was something that just made sense. My passion for bicycles, knowing how healing they can be, and how it can change a life inspired me to make the leap.

My mission is to help more women discover how fun off-road trails and gravels can be, help them embrace the challenges of something new, and realize they can have fun while doing it!