Lana Phillips and Natalie Lum arrived in the Drumheller Valley for a quick summer getaway in 2020 – the Ontario transplants were living in Edmonton at the time. When they arrived in Drumheller they were intrigued by what they saw – a coffee roastery, a pride crosswalk, and miles and miles of scenic bike paths! Within a year of that initial trip the couple were serving their first customers at “Bikes and Bites”, a creative enterprise bringing together their experience, talents and passions.
Michael Love was the first client of Bikes and Bites when the business opened and now Bikes and Bites is a happy client of Community Futures Big Country!
Bikes and Bites operates out of the Badlands Community Facility and offers exactly what the name suggests – bicycles and nourishment. Their sweet e-bikes are shiny, easy to operate, and helmets and locks are included! In addition to the full-sized rides, they offer youth bikes and trailers, so no family member is left behind. Their culinary offerings are fresh and flavourful, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. The ultimate experience combines a day of biking with a perfectly packed picnic lunch – though they offer bikes without bites, and bites without bikes too. Everything from freshly brewed coffee and gourmet snacks to full meals, party platters and catering services. If you’re craving more, head to a Drumheller Dragons game where you’ll find the couple influencing the concession menu and serving up fan favourites.
The business is enjoying steady growth, and as Lana and Natalie look to the future, they imagine expanding their offerings with guided tours and unique experiences that will allow travellers to discover “all that there is to love about Drumheller”, says Lana. They have found Drumheller to be friendly and they’ve enjoyed taking the time to meet their neighbours, become involved and explore. The town certainly benefits from welcoming these community-minded entrepreneurs, Lana is busy serving on the Travel Drumheller board, the Chamber of Commerce board, and they are both involved with the Badlands PRIDE Association. “Any community is what you make it”, says Natalie. Lucky for Drumheller, these two have made the valley their new home.
