(Stefanie Nelson in her studio | Photo by Kristine Thomas)
When Kirk and Stefanie Nelson opened CycleBar Bend in 2018, their goal was to create a place where strangers would become friends.
“We wanted to create a place where people could escape for a 45-minute ride and afterwards socialize with other members,” Stefanie said. “We wanted to create a welcoming community.”
The Nelsons moved to Bend in 2016 where Kirk worked as a business consultant and Stefanie was a former sales executive. “When I got here, I discovered there wasn’t a job market for me, and it was a challenge to make new friends,” she recalled. “Kirk was working with a client who was considering buying a CycleBar franchise in Lake Oswego and decided it would be a great business for us to open here in Bend. We purchased the CycleBar territory in August of 2017 and secured our lease at the Old Mill District shortly after and opened in June of 2018.”
Looking back, Stefanie realizes that decision would be her saving grace to endure a string of tragedies in 2020, starting with the unexpected death of Kirk Nelson, 54, on February 22, 2020.
“He died from a pulmonary embolism,” Stefanie, 49, said. “He never knew anything was wrong with his health, and he was in the best shape.”
A few weeks after her husband’s death, Stefanie learned fitness facilities in Oregon were ordered to close due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
During the three months the studio was shut down, Stefanie and her 14-year-old daughter, Ivy, stayed with her parents, Bill and Barbara Heavner, in California. She’s grateful to her sister, Rhondi, and her brother-in-law, Brian, and her nephew, Rocco, for their continued support the last year.
“The shutdown was a blessing in disguise because it gave me time to grieve and just be with my family,” she said.
On February 23, she took a moment to reflect on enduring the last year, sharing she was grateful to her friends who came to a small, private indoor ride to honor the one-year anniversary of her husband’s death.
She credits the CycleBar Bend community for helping her survive the last year, adding the indoor cycling studio has been open only six out of the last 12 months. “This community has wrapped their arms around me and showed me an incredible amount of love and support,” she said. “They gave me a purpose and a reason to move forward.”
Before COVID, Stefanie shared that people would gather after class to socialize. In the warmer weather, they would sit outside and enjoy a local brew on tap, celebrate Wine Down Wednesdays, or enjoy mimosas after the Sunday brunch rides.
“Many of our members are like us — new to Bend and wanting to meet new friends,” Stefanie said. “I think our mission to make our place built on community and being welcoming has created many friendships. I have had so many people tell me they have made lifelong friendships within our studio walls.”
Joining CycleBar changed Sabrina Norton’s life and created a friendship with Stefanie. “The second I got on the bike for my first-ever class, I knew I was hooked,” Norton said. “You’re in a dark room with a ton of people, loud music and an incredibly awesome instructor. It is a workout and an experience.” She encouraged her husband, Chuck, to take a class with her, and now he’s one of the CycleBar instructors.
Norton said she and her husband were devastated to learn Kirk had died. Then, the changes caused by the pandemic made 2020 an even more chaotic year.
“How Stefanie has persevered through this is incredible. I know she wants this studio to survive, I know she knows the impact it has in people’s lives, and I know she wants to keep this going in memory of Kirk,” Norton said. “She went through an incredibly rough time this last year and our loyal members, CycleStars, and staff have kept her determined to make it through. Kirk would be incredibly proud.”
Stefanie is grateful for all the people who took on the tasks Kirk used to do — from servicing and fixing the stationary bikes to providing financial and business management advice. “My faith has helped me endure this last year,” she said. “Kirk was a big basketball fan and coached many youth basketball teams. I imagine him in Heaven playing basketball with Kobe Bryant.”
In early February, Stefanie said the indoor cycling studio was able to open at a limited capacity. “It’s a far cry from the good old days when 50 bikes were allowed in the theater,” she added.
For Stefanie, the workout allows her a timeout from thinking about her responsibilities and let herself get lost in the music for 45 minutes. “The workout is more than about the physical exercise,” she said. “The mental health part is the most important thing many of us need to deal with the everyday stress. I have had people tell me that they came to the studio in the worst mood after a terrible day and leave feeling wonderful and renewed.”
Every “thank you,” every story of a new friendship made, every person who leaves the studio with a smile and every word of encouragement propels Stefanie to move forward and endure the loss of her husband.
“Kirk and I built this place,” she said, quietly. “I owe it to him and our incredible community of riders to ensure its success. This studio is amazing because of Kirk’s vision to build an inclusive community. The best way I can honor him is to see the studio survive and thrive after COVID.”
CycleBar Bend is in the Old Mill District at 655 S.W. Powerhouse Dr., St. 150.
cyclebar.com/location/bend • 541-797-0490
