Aaron

Aaron! Tell us a bit about yourself.

Aaron Carter (AC): Sure thing. I grew up in Archer Lodge, about 30 minutes south of Raleigh near Wendell. I was actually born in Ohio but spent most of my life here, so this feels like home. Recently, I got into biking—only about six months ago—but it's been absolutely life-changing.

How did that happen? What got you into biking?

AC: Honestly? Boredom. I had a lot of free time and wasn’t spending it in the healthiest ways. I needed an outlet—something physical, something social—and biking became all of that and more.

So you go from free time to full-on biking obsession. What sparked it?

AC: It started with a $60 bike I found on Facebook Marketplace. I didn’t know much about bikes, but I saw this old blue and white steel frame and thought, “Why not?” I rode it once around a church parking lot—didn’t even shift the gears—and decided it was the one. That bike became everything: my commuter, my project, even a way to make money.

Wait, making money with a $60 bike? Tell me about that.

AC: After leaving my career as a full-time firefighter/EMT, I was looking for something new. I stumbled on a part-time courier gig with Durham Courier. To prep, I built up a bike at The Bike Library, only to realize the frame was too small. So, I went back to my trusty $60 bike, reassembled it overnight, and rode it the next morning. That bike’s been with me through food deliveries, commutes between Cary and Raleigh, and everything in between.

Sounds like that bike really changed your life.

AC: Absolutely. It’s been more than just a bike—it’s been a cornerstone in this new chapter of my life. Working on it taught me so much about maintenance and mechanics, even without formal training. Now, I’m building bikes at The Bike Library and seeing them go from barely functional to someone’s new favorite ride. That’s a great feeling.

You mentioned working at the shop. What’s your vision for your time there?

AC: For me, TBL is a special place. It’s where people can come as they are—be weird, be themselves—and still share this common love for bikes. I want to keep building that space. It’s such a positive environment, and I’d love to see more people experience it.

What’s your advice for someone who’s curious about biking but doesn’t know where to start?

AC: Just start small. You don’t need fancy gear or a ton of miles under your belt. Ride around the block, go to the store—whatever gets you moving. Once you’re on the bike, you’ll realize how much better it feels compared to being stuck in a car. There’s a freedom and joy in biking that’s hard to explain, but trust me, it’s worth discovering.