Today we’d like to introduce you to Heidi Klippert.
Hi Heidi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Our business, Huckwagons, started out of necessity for a blended family and as a shuttle rig for friends, It was a way for Gary and I to share our passion for biking, community, and drinking good beer.
When I met Gary in 2006, I didn’t even mountain bike. The last time I had even ridden a bike was probably 20 years prior. For one of our first dates, he borrowed a bike for me and we rode a gravel trail around a lake…just for an easy introduction. I think he was testing me! On the next ride, we ventured out and did short sections of trail, back to the lake where he had first taken me. I was hooked and had to go bike shopping!
He had two kids and I had two kids and pretty soon our “Brady Bunch” family of six was going on adventures. He would jeri-rigg an old jet ski trailer so we could take everything and all ride together. This expanded to our friend group, as well. Always ready for a road trip, we would transport gear, people, and dogs countless times…creating fond memories and unimaginable smells in our crowded party van. At full capacity (or more), we would haul people and stinky gear up fire roads, across international borders, and over pristine mountain passes. Why? Just because.
Then, we started coaching mountain biking for high schoolers and our need expanded. In fact, at one of our races, a coach noticed our creation and asked Gary to build him a trailer. From there, everything changed.
An ad for racks in a bike magazine said, “Take more friends.” Gary’s answer? “Why not take them all?” It was that infamous “Ah ha” moment and Huckwagons was born.
I counsel high school students by day and work on Huckwagons by night. Our business has taken us on road trips across the United States and Canada and we have built not only over 150 Huckwagons, but have made amazing friendships.
Purpose built, handcrafted in the foothills of Washington’s Cascades, Huckwagons mountain bike shuttle trailers offer an elegant and environmentally friendly solution for hauling a quiver of bikes while still maintaining the camaraderie of the shuttle and road trip scene. Friends, family, and clients stay in the rig while bikes and gear are transported outside, damage free. My superpower is bringing people together, and this is key to me. I love that we can all ride together in the van AND on the trail. Sharing stories get lost and this is a great way to keep the tradition alive.
We have trailers in and around Utah. Escape Adventures has two, Roam Industries in Monticello has three. Each year during spring break we travel to Moab and ride with friends. We meet clients from the east coast so the delivery isn’t as far and they get to ride bikes in beautiful Utah. We have been doing this for about 6 years and have met clients from Maryland, Tennessee, Georgia, Colorado, and New Mexico. Our latest trip was on the return from delivery to REI in Arizona. We visited Kanab, Zion, and road in Hurricane, UT on the way home. This spring break, we are going to take our friend group there for a new ride destination!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has not always been smooth, but has always been an adventure. Starting out as a new business, we pulled many all-nighters and financially it was a bit rough. Sometimes our kids got monopoly money for Christmas and then we traded it in when tax time came around. The kids all helped out in some capacity, as well. Sometimes sporting the Huckwagons shirts at Crankworx and other times sorting receipts, working in the shop, making videos, you name it. We didn’t take out any loans and it was primarily the two of us doing the work with friends to help on occasion. Gary does all the welding and most of the design work with input from me. In the shop, I am “saw girl” or working my counseling job to bring in a regular pay check and insurance. Our first few trailers I even hand painted, sometimes at 2 a.m. on a school night. Now we have an amazing powdercoater (thank goodness!) Our first major client was REI and we were so excited, feeling it brought credibility to what were doing. Now our clients range from families to shuttle organizations, schools, transit companies and even to the military…and, REI is still a client for their Outdoor Education programs.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Professionally, I am a high school counselor and partner in Huckwagons. While I don’t do the primary fabrication of our product, I definitely put in my two cents worth, do marketing, handle logistics, scheduling, correspondence, and help in the shop. I am the right hand for my left-handed partner and we make a great team. Relationships are very important to me and our business has grown because of this. We have a niche product, but our genuineness with people has helped us create not just repeat clients, but lasting friendships. We will meet up when passing through their towns, ride bikes, grab a coffee or bite to eat, even go to bike fests or vacation together on occasion! Much of our business is word of mouth and our existing clients have no problem meeting with or talking to potential customers for us. In fact, while we have a website, we get a lot of new business through referrals.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I feel positivity is the key and listen to podcasts with this vibe/message. Also, I read mountain bike magazines and books that are about positivity and manifesting. Audible is an awesome way to stay awake while on massive delivery trips to Maine, Vermont, you name it!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.huckwagons.com
- Instagram: huckwagons
- Facebook: Huckwagons
Image Credits
Heidi Klippert
