We had the good fortune of connecting with Greg Hardy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Greg, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

I wanted to share bikepacking experiences with as many people as possible. Our sport emphasizes the simple things in life; shelter, food, water, and freedom. The comraderie of fellow travelers. The peace found in the quietness of the outdoors. A new understanding of yourself and others as you interact with different people and cultures. The sense of accomplishment from starting at the beginning of something and arriving at the end. I started this company to help share these experiences with as many people as possible.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Rockgeist specializes in custom and small-batch gear made in Asheville, North Carolina. We are a cottage gear company; meaning all your gear is built in small batches while prioritizing quality designs, high-end fabrics, and detailed craftsmanship. Our designs are inspired from countless bike trips, brought to life in an intimate workshop, and perfected by makers who take pride in their craft.

The quality and uniqueness of our gear aside, cottage companies provide a type of community that is often lost from large brands outsourcing their manufacturing. We strive to build community not only within our home in Asheville, but community across our sport. We seek to have relationships with our customers, guiding you through improving your set-up, tailoring gear to your preferences, and meeting you where you are in the broad spectrum of bikepacking styles.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Camping out in the Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest, all week!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The book War of Art by Steven Presley. Provides the motivation to push past challenges and hardships while perusing your dreams.

Website: rockgeist.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockgeist/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutTennessee is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.