Billy Denter / Owner, Overlook Bicycles
To mark its 50th anniversary in 2019, the Catskill Center published a book, Natural Resources: 50 Stewards of the Catskills, which celebrates 50 stewards of the Catskills, chosen for their contributions to the region’s environment, economy and culture. Billy Denter is one of those stewards.
Overlook Bicycles in Woodstock celebrates its 30th birthday this year. Billy Denter basically grew up in the store, working there in high school and learning the ropes. He bought the store after college. Denter is a lifelong cyclist. He manages Team Overlook, leads weekly group rides, maintains bike trails, and advocates for better public cycling opportunities in the Catskills.
Photo: Heather Phelps-Lipton
The Catskills have become a beacon for ecotourism and outdoor recreation, and I think that cycling is at the forefront of that. The Ashokan Rail Trail is going to mark a boom, opening up cycling to a larger demo-graphic. Ulster County is an incredible cycling destination.
Team Overlook is more community-oriented now. We have racers in basically every discipline of cycling. But we’re also more focused on trail development, advocacy, and leading and sweeping our group rides. It’s a dual-sided coin: community-driven efforts and racing. The cycling season is year-round now. With fat bikes, people ride trails in the snow. They explore the terrain, have little adventures. It’s amazing.
“Mountain Bikers are hungry and thirsty and need lodging. It can be a spendy sport.”
Photo: Heather Phelps-Lipton
Natural Resources: 50 Stewards of the Catskills
The newest publication of the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, Natural Resources: 50 Stewards of the Catskills, was created in 2019 to honor the Catskill Center’s 50th anniversary. The book celebrates 50 stewards of the Catskills, chosen for their contributions to the Catskills’ environment, economy and culture.