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The History of Zion Cyclery

2020 – Zion Cyclery now commonly owned with Trek Bicycle Store of Highland Park.

Our vision is to continue and build on the great reputation for products and services provided under the Daisy family by adding additional brand offerings and streamlining others. 

KC Speich

I'm the new face you'll usually see in the store. When I'm not in a bike shop, I'm usually called "coach" for my very active boys on the field and on the court. I live in Antioch with my wife, Melissa and five kids. I have slowly pulled most of my family into the industry. Melissa helps with all the social media, advertising and website, you'll see her at the store occasionally but remote learning is making that challenging this year. My daughters both have spent their summers selling bicycles on the sales floor, one is a sophomore at Marquette and the other a senior a ACHS. And my oldest son is a bike building machine as an 8th grader. He has helped all spring and summer building bikes, proud to say that last weekend the head tech at HP announced that he build his first perfect bike with no adjustments needed! My twins are not quite old enough to be put to work, they will be 11 years old in November, but they love hitting the trails for family rides.

KC's Work History

My first job was at Fond du Lac Cyclery at 14 years old and I continued working at both FDL and Oshkosh bike shops through college. I camped out and raced the WORS racing series through many seasons. In 2000, I started an inside Sales Rep position with Trek Corporate in Waterloo. In 2003, we moved down to Plainfield, IL when I became the Trek Territory Manager for the Chicagoland area. Then in 2010, we move up to Antioch to be closer to family and I started as the store manager for TrekHP. Now as the General Manager and Part Owner of TrekHP, I'm excited for this opportunity to be part of a small town shop, like where I began my journey so many years ago. I have built many friendships through years of working in the bicycle industry and I look forward to making many new friends while riding the beaches on fat bikes! I know change can be hard, but I hope you come into Zion Cyclery and get to know my family.

KC Speich

Owner & Manager of TrekHP & Zion Cyclery

Jeff Wellek

Owner of TrekHP & Zion Cyclery

Robbie Ventura

Owner of VQ Coaching, TrekHP & Zion Cyclery

1981 - 2020 – The Daisy Family

From 1964 to 2020, Zion Cyclery grew deep roots serving the Chicago to Milwaukee lake shore area. Zion Cyclery was owned and run by the Daisy family starting in 1981. Don and Mary Daisy, along with their son, Chris, built an unmatched reputation for customer service and satisfaction.

The Daisy family created a great group ride for fat bikes with potluck meals building a wonderful cycling community.

Chris Daisy with Cassie continued the in the family business for 10 years along with Mary.

"After more than 50 years we have decided to retire. We would like to thank our wonderful staff and most of all our customers. We will miss everyone but we are looking forward to retirement." ~ Mary Daisy

Originally opened in 1964 as Zion Schwinn

1964 was the first year that the Schwinn Sting-Ray appeared in a Schwinn catalog. "The bicycle with the sports car look."

This photo is from 1964, at the grand opening of the Zion Schwinn. Chris’s dad, Don Daisy, playing drums.

Sting-Ray's $49.95 & by the end of 1964 the Sting-Rays accounted for 70 percent of the total bike sales across the United States.