The finalists
- Cycle Factory, Todmorden, West Yorkshire
- Pedal and Spoke, Peaslake, Surrey
- Riders Cycle Centre, Skipton, North Yorkshire
Read on to find out more about each finalist. Voting instructions at the end of the article.
Cycle Factory, Todmorden
Just reading the testimonials left by satisfied customers on their facebook page it’s clear that this is a shop that goes above and beyond the normal expectations of a bike shop.
Celebrating their three year anniversary this year, the Cycle Factory is a custom built shop in the heart of the Calderdale Valley. Carved out of the remains of a scaled down actual factory building this is a shop that was as built to order as many of the bikes that it sells to its growing customer base.
Another ‘switched on’ business that engages fully with customers on social media, Sam is prolific at using his platforms for not only engaging with customers new and old but also providing them with his own product reviews and news on the latest additions to the shop. It’s a cliche to say that when he’s not working on the shop he’s riding his bike but then, just because it’s a cliche doesn’t make it any less true.
Find out more on the official Cycle Factory website or follow them on Facebook.
Pedal & Spoke, Peaslake, Surrey
Despite being located in a small shop that is barely bigger than a garden shed, Pedal and Spoke in Peaslake, Surrey has become a hub for the very large local Mtb community, as well as being purveyors of some extremely desirable bicycles.
The shop is slap bang in the middle of the network of Surrey Hills trails, and location is certainly a huge factor in the store’s success. The area is a magnet for riders near and far: a ‘little Alps’, conveniently located 35 miles south of London.
When this tiny village shop became available to rent a few years ago, local rider Howard Wagstaff took the lease and shipped in a shed full (literally) of Santa Cruz bikes – a brand that at the time was largely unknown.
Focusing on high end bikes and builds for the keen rider, you won’t find entry level bikes or racks of jerseys for sale. What you will find is the largest demo fleet of SC bikes in the South, custom builds, and super friendly staff.
Not ones to be stuck behind the counter, Howard and his team are usually to be found hanging out in flip flops, chatting about bikes, advising on trail conditions, posting their latest bike builds on the shop’s very active Instagram and Facebook pages, or popping up the hill on one of their popular shop rides (note: not in flip flops). Nothing is too much trouble, and no bike-related question is too silly.
Riders Cycle Centre, Skipton
Riders Cycle centre is so much more than just a bike shop. It specialises in custom builds and workshop repairs and servicing. But all that knowledge and expertises isn’t closetted – there are regular workshop courses and even guided rides and adventures around the Yorkshire Dales. It’s a bikeshop/workshop/service centre/tour guide/centre of learning type outfit. But what is most remarkable of all is that all of that is handled and run every day by just one man.
Stu Rider exudes passion for cycling. He rides to work every day to open the shop and workshop, which doubles as his social media hub from which he broadcasts live and creates video highlights of his working day. It’s a fascinating watch and has helped build up his loyal customer base. Rider by name and rider most certainly by nature, Stu races, guides and coaches too.
He’s been a finalist in our awards before, which should come as no surprise. Is this to be his year of glory? That’s down to you now.
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How to vote
The voting page opens at midnight Saturday 15th September. Come back after then to..
Cast your vote by clicking this link
Click here to see all our other categories and finalists
Comments (3)
Comments Closed
I think you mean ‘Stu Rider exudes passion for cycling’. ‘Eschews’ in the current text isn’t very positive… 😉
You are not wrong. Sodding autocomplete!
Dunno about the other two, but the Cycle Factory in Tod is a cracking shop.
Proper, genuine old fashioned service and good stock of stuff you want to buy.