About Bell Lap Cycleworks

Who runs Bell Lap Cycleworks?

Bell Lap Cycleworks is a mechanic-owned bike shop in North Raleigh, founded in 2022 by Josh Hatchell and Hugo Blackwood, who bring over 15 years of combined experience in the bike world. Michael Palcowski joined as co-owner in 2024 to help grow the business and our community presence, and Courtney White came on board as our shop manager to keep everything running smoothly across both locations.

We started Bell Lap because we wanted to build the kind of shop we’d want to bring our own bikes to. No corporate upselling, no pushing parts you don’t need. Just experienced people who ride, working on your bike like it’s our own. That’s what mechanic-owned means to us. We answer to riders, not shareholders.

Why “Bell Lap”?

If you’ve ever raced a bike on a track, you know the bell lap. It’s the final lap, the one where you dig deep, commit, and give everything you’ve got. That’s how we approach every repair, every fitting, and every build. Whether it’s a quick brake adjustment or a full custom build from the frame up, we’re putting in 100%. No cutting corners, no “good enough.” Just honest work done right.

Who are the mechanics and bike fitter?

Josh Hatchell is our lead bike fitter and mechanical expert. He’s IBFI-certified and uses saddle pressure mapping to get your position dialed in on your own bike. If you’ve been dealing with knee pain, back pain, or just can’t get comfortable on long rides, Josh is the person you want to see. He’s helped hundreds of riders in the Raleigh area find their fit.

Hugo Blackwood is the repair specialist. He handles everything from basic tune-ups to full overhauls, and he’s the one you’ll probably talk to when you bring your bike in for service. Hugo’s direct, thorough, and fast. Most jobs get turned around within the same week.

Michael Palcowski keeps the business side running and makes sure we’re easy to find, easy to work with, and easy to reach. If you’ve found us online, that’s probably his doing.

Courtney White is our shop manager and the person who keeps the day-to-day operations on track. When she’s not at the shop, you’ll find her on the gravel bike or out with her dog Puck. Gravel is her thing, so if you’re looking for route tips or want to talk tire clearance, she’s your person.

We’re all riders. Road, gravel, mountain, you name it. We ride the bikes we work on. That matters because when you tell us something feels off at mile 40, we know exactly what you’re talking about.

What local teams and rides does Bell Lap support?

Bell Lap isn’t just a shop. We’re part of the riding community here in the Triangle. We’re proud sponsors of Rescue Racing and Appalachian Wild, and you’ll find us at local group rides, races, and events throughout the year. We believe a good bike shop should be a gathering point for riders, not just a place to drop off your bike.

We now have two locations in North Raleigh, our original shop on Creedmoor Road and our new spot in Lafayette Village. Both shops offer the full range of services, from tune-ups and repairs to professional bike fitting and custom builds. We’re also authorized dealers for Specialized, Bianchi, TIME, Niner, and State Bicycle.

We’d love to meet you. Give us a call or shoot us a text — (919) 417-1102 for Creedmoor or (919) 272-9731 for Lafayette — or just bring your bike by either location. Creedmoor Road is open Monday–Friday 10 AM–6 PM; Lafayette Village is open Tuesday–Saturday 10 AM–6 PM. You can also reach us through our contact page if you’ve got questions or want to set up a fitting.