By 1996, Liberty Cycle had become so
successful that Cordasco needed more space. Later that year, he moved
the shop a few miles north into an old blacksmith shop in the heart of
beautiful Basking Ridge. Five years later, he expanded the building,
doubling his floor space and work area.
The shop now specializes in three of the
most respected brands in road cycling — Colnago, Litespeed,
and Giant — and sells a complete line of racing and touring
gear from Biemme, Northwave, Limar, Vittoria, Yakima and more. A large
selection of children's bikes is also offered.
The shop's cycling club roster has grown to
over 150 members, making it one of the largest in the northeast.
Regular rides leave from Liberty Cycle two days each week, and it has
become quite common to see blue-and-white-jersey-clad riders throughout
Somerset and Morris counties.
The racing team has enjoyed tremendous
growth as well. Team Liberty Cycle has won multiple races at all
ability levels, claiming several state titles, and includes one of the
most successful junior programs in the tri-state area. Each year, the
team attracts an impressive group of local and national sponsors,
allowing Cordasco to supply his racers with the best equipment.
Liberty Cycle hosts a series of bike races
in Basking Ridge each Labor Day, where everyone from youngsters to
first timers to elite-level racers compete for medals, prizes and cash.
Cordasco also lends his support to the Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society's Team In Training programs, helping fundraisers with training
and bike maintenance.
Despite his success throughout these past 15
years, Cordasco has stayed true to his original vision of what is
essentially "a family shop with a racing team." He says he tries to
reach each of his customers on a personal basis. "My customers still
describe me as home cooking," he says. We'll toast to that, and to many
more great years to come.
