Chris Kegel: A Brief History

The Early Years

Chris Kegel was born in Milwaukee, WI in 1953 and was the first son of Audrey Winter and George Kegel. The family of 6 kids grew up on 2119 S. 83rd street with good proximity to the family restaurant Kegel's Inn (59th and National).

Chris's father George was living in his own father's footsteps (John Kegel) as the owner of Kegel's Inn and was one of the most charismatic men in West Allis. Growing up, Chris idolized his father. In fact, in third grade the class went around the room to ask the students what he

Chris's mother Audrey was working at West Allis Health Department and kept tabs on all 56,000 residents.

Growing up

56,000 people in West Allis- mom talked to all. 2410 S 93rd to the west side and kids. Before he knew he needed glasses he swept the resturatnt- dad said he did a bad job. 

George left and lost lease from.

When he was growing up Chris was "little George" Footnote: 12 year old bird and bees. Knew then that he had to make his own choices and make his own philosophy

Be a good example, oldest don't get to misbehave responsibility to be good;

Early Learning Lessons

Dad and Uncle John polar opposites.... if they could have worked together (thrift plus charisma) battle instead of working together

1. Family

2. Work Together Cooperate

3. Being a Peacemaker- wanted to be good at bringing people together

Mom and Grandma lived together and fought constantly (grandma hardest working but kinda brash)

After dad left- became a father figure more than a good example

Couldn't stand how poor his mom was- lived in grandmas house. we would all get jobs so they wouldn't have to go on welfare. Didnt want the humiliation- made a plan to pay grandma and all the kids got jobs

Couldnt stand money for christmas- would buy the toys for christmas

When faced with great adversity, it opens space to do really amazing things in your live. Consumes people and can destroy people

most outstanding people in history overcame adversity and make

Appendicitis 10 years old

ruptured on the way to the hospital and every bump was a spike in him. Huge scar to this day. Ever since that.... he had a special power. Got in the bed and saw a big white light. Woke up afterward.... ever since he would think like hes been there before... see things before they happen. Time travel. Knows the answers to test.

not recommending a shitty childhood, but it will always be their choice. kids are critics, and they can be like you or be something different

Easy clarity

Most people are conflicted and cant tell good/bad. simple for chris. dad weak- made bad choices. Very charismatic, but forgot.

adversity allows you a chance to learn and grow

Mom had a brain annurism before melissa jerry 1 year, and every 2 years, melissa 3 years.

Brain annurism- came out of hospital for 3 months and would make fun of mom. After brain surgery, no filter.  Mom went through adversity and built her dream house except didnt have enough money and grandma took the house back.

Couldnt stand mom was so poor. 12 years old promise mom he will be a millionaire by the time hes 30. after 30 she bothered him but was a partner in the business opportunities there. not so shabby. 

Sports, teamwork, sand lot ball. Go over to the hospital field at baseball diamonds and played all day. Play with whoever was there. If you are winning by 5 runs, you give them the ball. Negotiate the rules as you play... want to have a good game, who cares who wins.

Older guys pricks, do anything to win. But Glenn) really good with younger guys- everyone had a chance to play and win. Played all the time.

Bike Stories:

93rd street had a long driveway (couldnt afford a garage) 100 foot long driveway had a basketball court.

Morning paper routes (then you could play in the afternoon) Milwaukee Sentinel. In West Allis, 1 in 10 got the sentinel was harder (1 square mile cleavland to lincoln) couldn't walk the route and still get to school on time. Bikes became a work tool. 35 to 50 people. Needed bikes to get around.

100 foot long driveway to race the corners. Billy was the toughest racer. Made a game out of everything.  Make work fun. Intended game out of everything. keep the kids happy.

Sibling rivalry. Child rearing a solid agreement to raise the kids with the same mantra. Parents vs Kids.

Low points. Couldnt make a bet unless he can win. Brother ed bet: $20 slave for a year. Billy and Ed super close. Jerry and Chris toughest time. andy mayberry, barney five. Moms child and Dads child. Jerry's pea story. No one leaves till he eats all the peas. Bad side.

Noel/ Julian (Leave it to Beaver)

How to raise your children

Whos the boss... Chris.

Kids love to be played with. Parents dont play with their kids enough.

Kids need to know the boundaries. Need to know who is boss

Chris and Helen

Helen a year younger than Chris. High School sweetheart... buttercup. Love letters. Helen and Chris were in love and was really good. It was Chris's idea to break up... Helen gets a new boyfriend and not allowed to talk. UWM favoite professor Carl Headman philosophy professor. Carl had a commune that Helen moved into. Kathy and Tom there... spent there... lived in moms basement. East side vs South side... even in those days rode bikes to east side.

Sow up tires... ride the good stuff. 20 sow up tires to fix.

Chris and Jane

Met Jane.... be friends first. Biked and hiked. A little heavy but got in great shape. Skied the Birkebiner and was great fun together. Hated kids. Jane was tough and Dad was persistent. Wanted kids and wanted to have a partner to have great kids together. In Jane, he saw his kids. Together we will have kids. Chris has an inner eyee

Chris and Mary

First date going to go to cafe corazon- but too crowded. then went to growler house. After planning to move out of the house for 10 year. 5 years. You are never going to get a girlfriend.

Mary's schedule busier than his. Was an easy relationship. Didnt have to disappointed... 3rd shift, baby.

First meeting and then the first date- and took to the JDRF gala. Much sportier athlesure.

Well come with me to costa rica.... and work wife wouldnt let him go.

Cross Country Bike Trip

I dont do this... wouldnt let her

Significant Moment

Near S dakota hitting it off well.... when getting to Milwaukee ill be done. Quit job, they fire you and they'll disown me. Mary I dont know how to explain this, but I want you to be with me.  I knew that I wanted this. it seems so important for you to stay.

Have to add value to other people. Thats how you get abundance. Sportsters get millions, teachers get not to much

People will pay with waht they value.

3.

Yard games

entered the bicycle industry at age 20, and was the fourth employee at Wheel & Sprocket when the bike shop opened its doors in the spring of 1973 in Hales Corners, WI. At the time, he was a student at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee with a dream of one day owning his ownshop. Dropping out of college was a pivotal point in Chris’ young adult life because it gave him time to learn the business that he envisioned he would one day own. In 1979, Chris became a partner in Wheel & Sprocket. In 1989, he bought his partner out, and in 1999, he made his last payment.

The Importance of Family

Chris’ two brothers, Billy and Jerry, joined the business in the early years. Now, Chris’s children are also  involved and have learned to work together to continue the tradition. But the longer you spend in and around Wheel & Sprocket you notice that everyone is family- the staff, our vendors, our customers.

Awards

 Wheel & Sprocket has grown from one shop in Hales Corners to seven locations in Metro Milwaukee, the Fox Valley, and Chicagoland.

Wheel & Sprocket has been a Top 10 Trek Dealer for over 25 years, #4 Ranking of Active Times Top 50 Bike Shops, Featured Top 100 Bike Shops by Bicycling Magazine, Top Workplace by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and continues as one of the NBDA’s America’s Best Bike Shops. Wheel & Sprocket is also a three time BRAINY Award Winner and recipient of countless communityawards from local charitable organizations.

Advocacy and Community Service

Chris Kegel was a founding member of Bikes Belong, (now People for Bikes), one of the originating founders of the bike industry's Bike PAC, served as past president of the League of American Bicyclists, served over 10 years of IMBA and initiate their “Ride Center Program”, NBDA board member for over 10 years, initiate the agenda for P2 groups and initiating the mechanic certificationprogram. Long time board member and past president of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin and WORBA.  In addition he was a County Supervisor for Ozaukee County in Wisconsin and helped many biking related projects including the Interurban Bike Bridge. Chris has received several community service awards including, UPAF Prestigious community service awards and JDRF Gala Honoree for work in advocacy and national bike ride program supporter.