The year was 1976; Steve Alward and Doug Brawly escape the hell of Phoenix and move to Prescott with an excited entrepreneurial spirit. They pool together $500 dollars and some used bicycle components.

Doug found a small garage to rent, accessible only from the alley of Miller Valley Road. Rent was $50 dollars a month – no water, no gas… Thus, Back Street Bicycle Works began as an experiment. After all, who would think a business would succeed with $500 dollars starting capital. In case of failure, there were part time jobs to fall back on. Steve worked for United Van Lines and Doug was a janitor at the hospital.