Bicycles built for two may become a familiar sight in Wallowa County this summer with the opening of Bike and Hike Adventures at 5 S. Main Street in Joseph.

Denise Baker, 43, moved to Wallowa County last fall from the Portland area and opened the new business Memorial Day weekend.

The business offers bicycle rentals, by the hour or longer, as well as bicycle “adventures” guided by Baker. Last week five bicyclists took advantage of a first-time package deal that offered a ride on the Eagle Cap Excursion Train to Enterprise, combined with a guided ride on bicycles back to Joseph via windy back roads. The package is being offered every Thursday morning. Baker plans to initiate an evening ride, minus the train trip, on the same country roads.

Bicycles available for rental include seven-speed tandem bicycles with a retro style, seven-speed Comfort bikes (with upright handles and comfortable seats), one-speed Huffy “cruisers” and 21-speed mountain bikes. Rental prices of $5 per hour for a single bike or $10 for a tandem includes a helmet, a lock and a map of the area. Photos of biking or hiking groups will be available.

Baker also plans to offer guided hiking trips into the Eagle Cap Wilderness and Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, but said she is limited now until she gets a permit from the U.S. Forest Service.

Call the business at 432-0113 or e-mail bikeandhike@ eoni.com for more information.

After visiting Joseph last summer with her three sisters last summer during Chief Joseph Days and “having the greatest time,” Baker decided to sell her house, pack up and move here.

An outdoors person, Baker said it has always been her “dream and desire” to live in a rural area. Her favorite sport is running, and she has run in the Portland Marathon twice, as well as a half-marathon and numerous shorter runs.

In the future Baker hopes to see her business sponsor a half marathon in Wallowa County or possibly a combination run and bike ride.

Bike and Hike plans to be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer (possibly closed on Tuesdays).

Baker enjoyed snow shoeing in the county last winter and may be open for snowshoe rentals and guided trips this coming winter.