Stage 2 Cyclery Opens Near Murrieta's Town Square Park

Cycling in his off time is one secret to Temecula-area California Highway Patrol Capt. Ernie Sanchez’s success in managing day-to-day operations across southwest Riverside County.

The 11-year Murrieta resident—who serves as race director for Tour de Murrieta and more recently had a role in bringing Stage 2 of the Amgen Tour of California to town—has found that the sport keeps him physically fit and mentally sharp.

Now Sanchez has taken his passion for cycling a step further by partnering with three other local residents to open Stage 2 Cyclery.

“We were all crazy enough to say ‘Let’s do it,’” said Sanchez, whose partners include a dentist, a retired firefighter and a bicycle wheel manufacturer.

Two-and-a-half months later, their doors are set to open at 24837 Jefferson Ave., Suite 211, at the southwest corner of Juniper Street not far from Town Square Park.

“It is a premier retail location,” Sanchez said. “Tour de Murrieta happens here, Stage 2 happened here.”

The public is invited to help celebrate the grand opening of Stage 2 Cyclery during a social from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1. There will be free T-shirts, energy drinks and appetizers.

Guests will see that the shop is a tribute to the proud moment for Murrieta when “America’s Greatest Race” came to town.

More so, Sanchez said the shop meets a need for local cyclists of all ages and levels. Stage 2 carries a range of bikes, from those with training wheels to BMX and beach cruisers, mountain bikes and top-of-the-line road bikes.

The shop will also serve as a starting point for road rides every Saturday morning from Murrieta to Hemet and back. Sanchez invited cyclists of all levels to give the 53-mile ride a try, noting it is mostly flat terrain and that riders are welcome to turn around at any point.

“We will open early on Saturdays, for those people who get up early and find out they have a flat tire but still want to get a ride in and need to get to a bike shop,” Sanchez said.

In addition to offering bike maintenance—Stage 2 purchased its tools from I.E. Bikes when the long-time Murrieta shop closed because its owner took a job out of state—there is cycling apparel, nutrition items, helmets and other related merchandise available for purchase.

“Our slogan is ‘Service, Fitness, Nutrition,’ but we start with service first,” Sanchez said.