All that glitters is not gold.

business, cheap, did you know, eco, friends, help, inspiration, recycle, repair

‘Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it. ‘

Henry David Thoreau

We have been quiet for so long we have been asked to write up a story or two about the cycling industry perspective on pandemic and the issues that came with it.

The small proportion of the world (here: the UK) has changed overnight in March 2019. The world as we knew it has stopped and we do not believe it will be back anytime soon. We found ourselves in the middle of one of the biggest crises the world has seen since the World War. Our team had to adapt and amend their ways overnight to accommodate for that change; it is a very small team for what we do and the amount of projects we are involved with, however efficient and tight knitted it might have happened to be.

In the last 2 years we have learnt a lot about people and even more about ourselves. People, strangers and friends, have put our patience, our professionalism, our humanity, our understanding, our humbleness, our compassion and our ability to remain calm to an ultimate test. We have failed many of these tests and we learnt the hard way that we have much to improve upon.

But we also have learnt a vast number of very valuable lessons that we will remember forever. We learnt the true meaning of friendship and the true cost of supporting people who do not appreciate your help. We learnt the importance of patience, we learnt the gravity of broken promises and the joy of changing lives. We kept Leeds going; at times as the only bike shop open in Leeds, we kept NHS cycling, we kept the other essential workers moving… It is an extreme privilege to be able to say we have pulled through this together and we thank those who helped us in doing so; whether they stayed or the chose to go.

We witnessed the most iconic increase in popularity of cycling and we were a part of things that made history. The Bikes College grew to exponential size yet we still thrive to continue to do what we do best- keep you cycling and keep looking for new stars of cycling.

We worked hard to keep Leeds cycling and occasionally it did backfire. As some old saying goes ‘it is not always gold if it glitters’ we also understand the price this growth comes at. The endless days, long shifts, numerous problems and issues, supply chain delays, staffing shortages, parts shortages, worries and fears, additional stress, additional workload… We feel like the last few months put as to some ultimate test. Despite the hick ups and a few teething problems we believe we came out of it stronger, smarter and significantly more mature as an enterprise.

We continued to be not for profit, we continued a number of grass root level programmes, we preserved the low prices and continued with the highest possible quality. We also maintained our sense of humour and an overall can-do attitude.

Whatever the price was- you guys made it worth it. and for this please accept many thanks.

Here’s to another few few years!!

#smilingchainlink #tbcleeds #builtnotbought #whobuildsyourwheels #tbcjasper #tbcstemcap #tbcmudguard

Cake is not free.

consider

Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.

Warren Buffett

If you missed the yellow shutters and the bikes outside and the social media presence and the silly opening hours and the Bike Library involvement and the trailer full of bikes and the late drumming sessions and the school donations and the yellow sign and the bike attached to the railing and the many many other things you might have missed the fact it was our second birthday on 18th April 2018.

We opened the doors 24 months ago and it seems like it has been decades since then. Let’s just get you onto some statistical data. We have collected from more places than ever (LCC, the Police, the Railway Network, the University, the charities, the other bike shops, etc.) and have given to more than ever too (the charities, the schools, the Bike Libraries, etc.). We are currently the sole supplier of the bicycles to a couple of very similar projects around West Yorkshire. We had a documentary made about us (it’s currently touring the US) and a short marketing video for a new Leeds’ based start up; we got on the radio and the TV too. We employed Sam; he’s a cool guy.

2 years ago we started to prepare this fine mixture of ingredients, we have spoken and worked with so many different people who helped us discover the better ways to do what we do the best. We have seen our stickers in Europe and beyond, we have sent some to Asia too.

We have kneaded this dough using only the finest Leeds’ based ingredients; the people, the places, the vibe, the bicycles, the Leeds City Council, the hard work, the time, the tears and sweat… we kneaded this dough. We mixed it with some sunshine, some long hours, some finest friendships and put it in the oven. And it took some serious effort to bake this beauty.

Cake does not come free. Happy birthday to us.

No better place than…?

consider, did you know, friends, learn, ride, safety, share, social, travel

Not all those who wander are lost.

J.R.R. Tolkien

All travelling one does in their lifetime supports the one’s development and ability to remain open minded. That is a fact.

There was a time when the #tbcleeds team (quote) ‘swanned’ around Europe for over a month. We went for an adventure of our lives while visiting almost 20 countries, most of which heavily cycling influenced and cycling friendly. We have discovered places we never considered as a cycling mad (i.e. Poland) and we also learnt that the cycling is actually pretty popular in Europe; the UK, however strongly advertised as a cycling nation, has some catching up to do…

Sweden and Denmark, and for this example the entire Scandinavia, is an amazing place for cycling. The infrastructure is phenomenal, the driver’s are friendly and the cyclists are great.

Poland is absolutely driven (sic!) by cycling, there are paths everywhere, people are cycling everywhere, families are cycling with kids, adults, men, women, we have seen them all. Cyclists are great but there is still room for improvement for the drivers’ attitude.

France is great too; the city cycling is splendid, the countryside cycling is first class too. People behind the wheel are friendly and the cyclists are understanding too.

Germany and the surrounding places (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, etc.) are amazing as well. Quiet and peaceful rides are guaranteed; the driver’s and the cyclists live in a mutual symbiosis and it feels really natural to turn the two wheels.

Portugal and Spain are pretty awesome too. People are friendly- be it as drivers or cyclists- and the cycling is such an underrated way of transport.

Then we came back to England and we must admit it was a bit of a shock. Drivers are not that great and cyclists sometimes do not do themselves any favours. We are so behind with Europe- in attitude, in understanding, in respecting each other, in imagination vivid enough to realise that we do share the space and we do want to go home safely. Whether it is Europe or not.

Happy birthday.

birthday, business, cheap, did you know, friends, help, recycle, repair

It is not going to work.

Everyone

We could bore you with endless statistics. We could then proceed with some numbers and facts. And then possibly some case studies. We could follow it with an endless list of people and projects we helped. Or just quote the feedback we received. We could complain about the long hours. Or shout about the impact we have made on some folk’s lives. But we will not…

David woke up one day with a dream; call it a vision. A dream that not many understood and certainly not many believed in. He then persevered to make it come true. The Bikes College has started on that day; a small idea that took over David’s life. He has heard it all: ‘it is not going to work‘ followed by ‘are you mad‘ and often accompanied by ‘are you kidding me‘… Now to save you from a lot of jargon and boring detail let us fast forward to April 2017. Today is the 1st anniversary of the TBC shop opening on Copley Hill in Leeds. It has been 12 months which is 52 weeks which is 365 days which is 8760 hours of David’s life committed to something that according to many others had no chance of existing. This is history; still in making.

We have turned over almost 2000 bikes. Yes that is two thousand bikes since we opened our doors; that is on average 39 bicycles every week. We sold some to ensure that we can do what we do with absolutely no financial support from anyone- we still do not receive funding, we still do not ask for grants, we still do not rely on donations. We dismantled some of the above to ensure that our spare parts room is full of shiny bits to make your bikes run smooth. We gave some to different projects in Leeds and beyond to ensure that they can do even more. We also gave some away to ensure that anyone can get a bike without the need to ask for one should they feel no need to do so. And every time we created non salvageable ferrous waste we gave it away to the local small businesses free of charge to ensure that our rubbish can become someone else’s treasure. That is how we started after all…

The journey that you have witnessed is just a beginning and we will grow bigger and bigger; we promise! But we recognise and appreciate some help and support without which David’s dream would have never materialised. These include but are not limited to the following:

  • Amelia D.- thank you for joining TBC and thank you for reminding David what is important at the most crucial moments
  • Janice F.- thank your for this life changing chat and a cup of Earl Grey in the middle of Bramley a few years ago, and for bringing Ed W. too
  • Ed W.- thank you for bringing ideas together and brain storming them to explain the bigger picture
  • Kev and Sylvie- thank you for the inspiration and the positive vibes that transformed some dark energy into something so powerful that it still surprises David even after all these years
  • everyone at The Bristol Bike Project- we salute you guys for you have laid the foundations for TBC
  • Nick from The Bristol Pedal Revolution- thank you for the endless chitchat and the wacky ideas
  • Harvey from The Bike Bunker- thank you for showing David what is important in life
  • the Leeds City Council- thank you for everything for without you guys this would have never flourished as much
  • Roger F.- thank you for your help and support, and for your invaluable advice
  • John P.- thank you for your help and support (and all these contacts you have)
  • The Pedallers’ Arms- thank you for opening a few doors that have led to the conception of TBC
  • Bike Mill- thank you for supporting the same cause and making Leeds the cycling capital of the North
  • Tom and  Edna M.- for pointing out how unique David’s idea was
  • Ruth D.- thank you for bringing ideas together and painting even bigger picture
  • Marek S.- for invaluable bespoke business advice
  • Raitis- thank you for keeping the fleet running
  • Conor W.- thank you for another point of view and invaluable advice
  • Pip B.- thank you for everything (period)

 

 

…this is just a beginning!

It has almost been a year…

business, consider, did you know, friends, help, repair, share, social

A single day is enough to make us a little larger or, another time, a little smaller.

Paul Klee

There are times at which one falls behind with all their plans and the will to progress by any means necessary. Things get omitted, things get put aside, things get re-prioritised… There are also times when these things get dug up and our lives are regaining so much momentum so we can simply thrive again.

2017 has already been a year of transformation and some amazing changes. It is almost the end of March but what a few weeks that was. We have secured some amazing collaborations, we have also discovered some new ones; we got in touch with some old friends and we made some new ones. We get busier and busier as days go by.

We were branded ‘the only reliable and reputable’ second hand bike shop in Leeds (thank you Mr T.W.) and a few people mentioned us when ‘the places to go for repairs’ were mentioned. This is on the brink of the first 12 months since we have opened our door. The fame of The Bikes College is spreading, and it is spreading fast.

Thus to waste no further time we would like you to accept our deepest appreciation for what you have done for us guys for it is you that make us better; one day at a time. We salute you and this is all owed to you. Chapeau guys!

A tribute ride in memory of Leeds’ John Harkins

consider, crime, friends, help, inspiration, learn, ride, safety

Come and join us for a memorial ride to Kirkstall Road. We will gather starting from 5pm to leave the shop on Copley Hill about 545pm. The plan is to get the Critical Mass gathering for 6pm and let them join us on the memorial ride to pay our respects to the fallen John Harkins who tragically lost his life in the Kirkstall Road tragedy on 14th November 2016. Invite whoever you believe might be interested and spread the word please. We plan to be at the scene of the accident about 630pm. Have no bike? Come and join us on foot.

1. The police has been in touch now and they are aware of the ride- we discussed the implications of the large gathering and the potential (although still unintended) disturbance to the traffic in the area. I am awaiting further instructions and additional comments and/or arrangements from the senior officer of the local police. Their support and/or assistance will be discussed further too. I will update following a meeting with them in the shop which has been planned for before the ride.

2. The local media have been in touch and expressed their will to provide coverage- they were instructed to be as little invasive as possible (it is not a publicity stunt- it is a memorial ride after all). They will pay us a visit in the shop prior to the ride and I will update should anything change.

3. We have a few groups coming together and cycling towards the central meeting point at the Museum steps where the ride will join with the Critical Mass- the ride itself is not a feeder ride- if the CM wishes to join us we are riding towards their starting point for this very reason- as of yet no contact was made by CM and from what I was told there was no confirmation of their involvement (hopefully as of yet).

4. The route discussed with the police is to involve roads with 2 lanes of traffic to ensure the least disturbance possible. Due to no confirmation of support as of yet (therefore for planning reasons it has been assumed there would be no support at all) we will refrain from going onto single lane roads where possible. The proposed route is: Millenium Square to Rossington St to Woodhouse Ln to Albion St to Headrow to Westgate to Kirsktall Rd. We were instructed to obey the road signs and road rules or we will be stopped and the ride will have to discontinue.

5. The family of John’s is aware of the ride and we would like to make sure they do not witness any misbehave and they remember this as a tribute the cycling community of Leeds and beyond paid to a fellow fallen rider. We expressed our deepest condolences and we invited them to join us should they feel fine to do so. There is no confirmation of their appearance as of yet but please remember that they might be there guys- let’s stay civil and considerate.

6. The Aviators Cheer group was contacted too- they were also invited to join us although no official confirmation was received as of yet- once again this is a group of the very closest friends and colleagues of John’s- bear that in mind and again let’s stay civil and considerate.

7. There are some rumours of a few rider groups visiting from outside Leeds- no official confirmation as of yet so please bear with me on that. Should that happen let’s lead by example and considering all of the above let’s make this the bike ride that John would be proud of.

8. The general rules of cycling en masse will apply too guys- the weakest, the slowest, the most vulnerable riders are to be protected by those with the most experience. We are expecting kids and adults cyclists, and there are also a few pedestrians that will meet us there. Let’s stay safe, by any means necessary.

This is a follow up of a tragic accident, let’s not add to the drama. Let’s be nice, let’s be civil, let’s stay safe.

Yours truly #tbcleeds.

We are open!

business, friends, help, marketing, share, social

“Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those doing it.”

Chinese proverb

We have started our journey a few years back in Bristol as a small project with a huge vision. It took us almost 5 years to come to what we are now. We have started dreaming about our own small space to fill it up with our huge vision shortly after. It took us almost 3 years to find the space we wanted.

Now we are happy to announce that The Bikes College has settled down in Leeds in our new premises. It is a building that we have taken under our wings in attempt to turn it into what used to be a dream. Now it has become a reality and we cannot be more happy for that.

The Bikes College CIC is now open daily on Copley Hill, Leeds, LS12. Come by and say hello. Bring your bike too as in bikes we trust.

Merry Christmas

consider, free, friends, help, inspiration, recycle, repair, share

Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values.

Thomas S. Monson
It has been long enough for the human beings to be taught to collect, gather and posses. It almost seems like it is in our nature this hoarding malfunction that stops us from sharing; not only our possessions but time and affection.
And then you have this social phenomenon of feeling hard on yourself when you get the time and affection shared with you. It seems like it is in our nature this social malfunction of embarrassment and guilt just because our year did not turn out like the others’.
So dear human fellow beings, we at The Bikes College C.I.C. wish you during this festive period to put the differences aside and enjoy the sharing. Whether you share whatever you have to offer or you were shared whatever you needed. You do enjoy your very Merry Christmas.
And look out for the others- you never know- there might be someone close who needs your helping hand. And if you or someone you  know feared that Santa will never make it to your/their house with the dream bike- let us know- as Santa stays in constant contact with us. At this time of the year we are an officially approved Santa Claus’ Bicycle Distribution Centre®. Seriously.

In it to win it.

consider, free, ride

You gotta be in it to win it.

Anonymous

It is a real pleasure to give stuff away for free to those who need it- we established that a while ago. It empowers you and makes you feel capable of bringing the change; it also delivers smiles and happiness aplenty. And if it is free it feels like trading goods for smiles and handshakes; and that feels simply amazing.

The most recent Adwalton Cricket Club raffle was held during the third weekend of August and we proudly supported the prize pool. The tickets were sold in big numbers and even we bought one to support the good cause.

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The winner of our bike was Andrew and after a few hard choices (what handlebars, what gears, what pedals, a commuter, a mountain bike, what tyres, …) he got his new bike ready for collection.

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We built him a commuter/townbike/hybrid Carrera with 21 gears, caliper brakes and skinny tyres to zoom through the town. And Andrew stated that he will send us a picture of himself with his bike soon too…

Have fun on it Andrew and ride on!