The Sweitzers: The Owners of West Hill Shop
The owners of the West Hill Shop, as of July 13, 2004 Jim and Diny Sweitzer have lived in Putney since 1998 and have two sons. They all have participated in cycling and cross-country skiing throughout the years. Jim can be seen riding his Independent Fabrications Ti Crown Jewel painted in custom West Hill panels, his 2010 Specialized Epic Marathon 29er mountain bike, his steel Marinoni Fango cross bike or commuting on a 2009 Giant Seek 0 and sometimes the BOB trailer. Diny spends less time trail riding these days, and more time road biking on her Giant Avail Advanced. During the winter months, they wish for the fluffy stuff, whether for classic or skate skiing, or foraging in the woods for untracked or lift service tele.

 

 

Their story: We met in Bozeman, Montana, in the early 80's telemark skiing the slopes of Bridger Bowl Ski Area. We spent those out-west years playing hard: skiing, biking, hiking, and camping. It was the shared enjoyment of these activities that ultimately brought us together. While residing in Massachusetts Jim did the 9 to 5 as a senior project manager for an environmental consulting company, while Diny freelanced in the video production industry as an editor. We made our move to Putney, Vermont, in 1998 and wonder why we took so long to find this very special community. It felt just right from the very first day we arrived. E-mail Diny or Jim

 

 

 

	Pip's a national cyclo-cross champion, master mechanic and the Shop's humble, hard man.

 

Pip Bannister

Born as, but not known as, Phillip, is our partime wrench and xc ski tuner. He is also our in house cross-road-mountain bike racer, architect, fiddle player, Putney Planning Commision member and Putney's Citizen of the Year for 2007. He now holds the title of the 2008 National Cyclocross Champion for age 60+ category.

 

 

 

 

 

	Proud Father - Camp Mather 2010

 

David Robb

David joins West Hill Shop as store manager with over 15 years of experience in the bicycle industry. An avid cyclist, his experiences range from being a Boston bike messenger in the early ‘90s and helping out in the early days at Independent Fabrications to serving as a race mechanic for several events and teams. David has also worked as a mechanic and manager at several shops in the San Francisco Bay area. David just moved to Brattleboro with his awesome family and pets, and commutes to work regularly on his new Giant TCX 0 cross bike.

 

 

 

 

	equipment tester

 

Andrew Morrison

Andrew joined us in the summer of 2011.  His passion for cycling starting in the 7^th grade with a GT mountain bike, but has since branched out into road riding and a new found passion for dirt road touring.  He first landed on skis in McCall, Idaho, where he learned how to skate ski and telemark.  Work at the West Hill Shop for Andrew is more like a daily play date as he takes a break from science and teaching.  His aspirations are aimed at graduate studies nearby to expand his knowledge in forestry and invasive species management.