This week's Readers' Choice winner in the sporting goods category started pedaling early and never looked back. 

Free-Flite Bicycles of East Cobb was the easy winner, according to readers in East Cobb, Northeast Cobb and Marietta, garnering 14 votes. 

No other sporting goods establishment had more than two votes. 

While the sporting goods industry has changed in recent years -- the superstore Sports Authority chain left the area years ago -- the devotion to a locally-owned hub for cycling gear and service remains strong. 

Free-Flite, located at 4177 Roswell Road, has been in business since 1978, and also has locations at 2949 Canton Road in Northeast Cobb and 1437 Riverstone Parkway in Canton. Loyal customers know it's much more than a place to buy bikes and accessories

One of the more recent popular stories on East Cobb Patch was a remembrance of John Kovachi, a longtime custom racing bike wheel builder at Free-Flite, and who died in October. 

A spring sale is underway through this weekend at Free-Flite, which also provides resource information for such organizations as Georgia Bikes!, PATH Foundation and Bicycle Ride Across Georgia.

Come back to Patch on Monday morning for next week's poll, which will be the best restaurants in East Cobb, Northeast Cobb and Marietta with a patio.