Cyclists Find New Home In The Cycle Sanctuary

Keene's cycling community has a new home with the opening of The Cycle Sanctuary, a bicycle repair shop located in the 310 Marlboro Street building. Founded by a longtime bicycle technician and local enthusiast, Josh Berntsen, the shop is more than just a place to get a flat fixed — it's a community-focused space grounded in inclusivity and connection. Berntsen's vision is simple: to create a place where all bikes and all people are welcome, whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just starting out. Berntsen, who went car-free last year, brings more than 25 years of hands-on experience to the shop. His passion for bicycles began early. "When I was younger, I used to pull my bikes apart; of course I did not know how to put them back together. My dad would help me and eventually he had me figure them out on my own," he recalled. That curiosity turned into a calling as neighborhood kids started asking him to fix their bikes. "Luckily enough it turned into a big passion of mine. There's nothing like working on your own bicycles — it brings a sense of accomplishment." His love for cycling took shape through BMX racing, where he honed his repair skills out of necessity. "It was more affordable for me to repair my own bike. Word spread around the racetracks, and I would fix all the other racers' bikes, too." Berntsen's professional experience spans several local shops in Keene, starting with Banagan's, where he started out just doing flat repairs and taking out the trash. He later worked at Summer's Backcountry Outfitters and Andy's Bicycles. After a decade-long break — during which he did small repairs out of his home — Berntsen returned to the trade around 2016, working at 365 Cycles until the shop transitioned to an online-only model. He most recently worked at Norm's Ski & Bike Shop before deciding to pursue his longtime dream. "I started brainstorming how to create The Cycle Sanctuary. I had this mythical shop in my head for years, and eventually my friends said, 'Stop thinking about it and start doing it,'" he said. Initially operating out of his house, Berntsen quickly outgrew the space. A friend suggested he look into 310 Marlboro Street, and by May 1, The Cycle Sanctuary officially had a new home. "I came up with the name The Cycle Sanctuary because I wanted it to feel like all bikes are welcome and I wanted to have a name that sounded inclusive to everyone. Sometimes bike shops can sound a little intimidating, but I want to work on your bike whether it costs $10 or $10,000," explained Bernsten. "It has a friendly name, your bike is safe here, you're safe here — it's a good place to be." At The Cycle Sanctuary, safety is paramount. "A bicycle is a vehicle, and it can be a fatal vehicle if you're not careful. So, I like to make sure that your bike is safe. Safe bikes are fun to ride," he emphasized. The shop offers a wide range of services, including tune-ups, frame repairs, welding and brazing (primarily on steel frames) and what Berntsen calls "restomods" — restoring and updating older bikes, especially 1990s mountain bikes, for modern commuting. In addition to repair services, The Cycle Sanctuary stocks both new and used parts — including chains, tubes and tires — and has a rotating selection of used bikes priced from $75 to $500. "One of my main goals for the shop is to be the most cycling community-oriented bike shop that Keene has had yet. I want it to be a place where everybody feels welcome and everyone wants to be a part of it in some way." The Cycle Sanctuary is located at 310 Marlboro St., Suite 195, in Keene. The shop is currently open from Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, email thecyclesanctuary@yahoo.com or call 603-757-9842.