Dave Sandsmark’s daughters take all the credit for getting him into mountain biking. They had bikes, and he would run behind, trying to keep up—until they finally told him, “Dad, this is embarrassing.” Not long after, he bought a bike of his own and fell in love with the sport. What started as a way to keep up with his kids would soon become something much bigger—a lifelong passion that would shape his community.
That passion eventually led to Burnt Bikes. Dave started fixing bikes for free, helping friends and fellow riders. When he saw a real need for a shop in the community, he took the leap and started one in the basement of his building. As a longtime self-employed cabinetmaker, he was used to working for himself. Living in an old Anglican Hall gave him the perfect setup—a space for his cabinet shop, living quarters, and a basement-turned-bike store. Fellow mountain biker Ken joined in for a few years, and together, they set up a proper phone number and regular hours and started ordering stock.
The Burns Lake mountain biking scene grew rapidly, fueled by Ride Burns and dedicated volunteers. Dave took on the shop full-time in the summers, balancing bike repairs, service, and his love for trail building. It was a missing piece in the community—more bikes meant more riders and more trails, which was worth investing in. His Wednesday night tradition, the weekly Work Bee, became a cornerstone of the local riding culture, with countless hours spent building and maintaining trails.
Of course, not all trail work happens on Wednesday nights. Community members have learned to be wary when Dave offers a free shuttle in exchange for a ‘small job’ at the top—chances are, it involves hauling a telephone pole down a steep slope or wrangling a 500-pound rock in a sling. But those who take him up on the offer know that these backbreaking tasks are just another sign of his relentless commitment to building a better riding community.
It turns out the community was just as invested in Dave’s vision. In 2020, Burnt Bikes was named BC’s Favourite Bike Shop in Cycling BC’s Community Awards, an honour typically given to larger city shops. Winning as a small, remote business was a testament to the shop’s dedicated customers. Even Cycling BC was surprised, hinting that perhaps Burnt Bikes’ customers had voted more than once—a joke that wasn’t far-fetched, considering the unwavering local support.
Shortly after opening the shop, Dave met Susan Russell, who shared his love for mountain biking and adventure. Dave handled repairs and service while Susan took over bookkeeping and anything computer-related. Their combined efforts turned Burnt Bikes into a true mom-and-pop shop, complete with gardens out front and a coffee deck out back. They diversified their income—Dave with cabinet and trail work, Susan with teaching—but the bike shop remained at the heart of it all.
Beyond repairs and sales, they focused on fostering a biking community. They organized events like Octoberquest, BBC 30Km+ loop, Freezer Burnt Fat Tire Fest and the Technical 10km Dab Challenge—sometimes with just the two of them participating, but usually drawing a crowd. One of their most memorable events was a collaboration with Ursa Minor Brewing: a day of shuttles followed by an evening of beer, pizza, and live music inside the shop. It was legendary—and short-lived. A week later, a cease-and-desist letter arrived, courtesy of the local bylaw office. The irony? They sold a bike to the bylaw officer that same day.
Their dedication to the local scene helped them land bike brands that were nearly impossible for small shops. After years of trying, they secured Norco, then became the smallest dealer in North America for both Specialized and Yeti. The store reflects everything they love—mountain biking, coffee (partnering with Ascent Coffee, a BC-based roaster that supports trail networks), chocolate from Donna’s Goodies in Hazelton, and Darn Tough socks, a staple for any rider.
They’ve always believed in giving back. Burnt Bikes supports Ride Burns, coaching riders of all ages, hosting events, and promoting the area’s world-class trails. They often lend out gear to visiting riders who’ve forgotten essentials like helmets, brakes, or shoes—because keeping people on bikes matters more than a sale.
But small bike shops face big challenges. Post-COVID, the industry struggled with supply chain issues, leading to stock shortages and then a market glut. When wildfires shut down the trails for an entire summer, they had to close the shop. Dave also lost out on contracted trail work. On the bright side, they expanded the coffee deck and garden, but the industry remains tough. Online sales and big-box stores make it harder for independent shops, and it’s only thanks to a fiercely loyal customer base that Burnt Bikes remains open.
If the shop is closed, the sign says: Text Dave. He’s either mountain biking, fatbiking, or working on trails. His latest passion? Rock work. He’s lost several fingernails and a little blood to it, but he can’t decide what’s more rewarding—building a trail or riding the finished product.