Xmas Caption Competition: Results!

Thanks to everyone who entered the Fixed Gear Exeter Xmas Caption Competition. We have sorted through all the entries on Twitter and Facebook and chosen the top 4 who will each win a selection of prizes. I would just like to say that the standard of entries was very high but unfortunately I'm a bad liar...

Without further ado, the winners are...

First place

(The Bristol Dropouts musette, 5th Floor water bottle, Ass Saver, socks, Bone Shaker mag, plus some notebooks, stickers, grips and badges)

"*Texting friend* 'I really need to think of a good caption so I can win this Fixed Gear Exeter competition?!'" - Jed Allen

Second place

(Cycle Style book, Origin coffee, notebook, badges, stickers, Ass Saver, Bone Shaker mag)

"OK, do this application form 'Do you consider yourself a hard worker' Hmm. 'I ride a fixie, we don't have breaks." - Iain Randall

Third place

(Ass Saver, Bone Shaker mag, notebook, badges and stickers)

"Friends in the park" - James Fishwick

Fourth place

(Woolly hat)

"Honey I'm gonna be late, bike stuck in gear!" - Devon Coffee

We will be in contact with each of the winners to get the prizes to you before Christmas. Thanks again to all the companies who kindly donated their goodies. Check out the original post and above for links to their sites and support them like they supported us!

Urban Cyclist Magazine Issue 2

We went to the local News Agent – WHSmith – during lunch break and picked up Urban Cyclist…a rather glossy magazine.

All was going well, reading through the second edition until…oh no… the Dashing Tweeds cycling jacket at £850! (page 44) – the fashion show has only started. The jacket scored 3/10 and reported as “poorly shaped, badly thought out” say no more…next please!

We aren’t here to bash this urban cycling magazine. We are actually happy to see such press coverage for fixed gear and single speed lovers. It will bring even more chat before and after our CoffeeShopRides in 2013 and BikeFilmNight too.

The Charge Grater, new from Charge Bikes for 2013 gets a positive review: “Light, comfortable, fast handling & great value” (page 96).

Grab a copy if you wish to share this rather unique/ niche subject. And if you can’t and don’t want to fork out 599 pennies see below some shots of this actual issue.

Xmas Caption Competition

In order to thank everyone who has got involved so far and to hopefully spread the word a little further we are having our first ever Xmas Caption Competition. Anyone can enter free of charge for a chance of winning some great prizes just in time for Christmas.

Prizes

Huge thanks to everyone who donated, we really appreciate the support!

• Our favourite Fixed Gear shop Bristol Dropouts donated the BDO x il Soigneur tweed musette, and the Ass Savers mudguards.
• The awesome 5th Floor gave us a cool water bottle and some stickers.
• Bone Shaker magazine have supplied some back issues as well as some stickers, post cards and badges.
• The best pedal powered coffee shop in Exeter, Bikecaffe has donated some great smelling Origin coffee.
• Our favourite bike builder Magic Bike Mike is donating a t-shirt (not pictured) in your choice of size.
• Milltag, BÖIKZMÖIND, and No Guts No Glory gave us some stickers.
• A mystery benefactor gave us the Cycle Style photo book, grips, hat, socks, canvas bag and a bunch of notebooks stickers etc.

 

The Fixed 'n' Chips Video is here!

As you may know we have been massively inspired by BÖIKZMÖIND and the Bristol Fixed Gear scene in general. When we heard that Gavin was putting on a Fixed 'n' Chips Alleycat race we went along to see for ourselves and take some pictures.

The final edit of the official Fixed 'n' Chips video is now live, check it out below:


FIXED 'n' CHIPS 2012 from BÖIKZMÖIND on Vimeo.

Bike Film Night | Edition 1 Review

Edition 1 of Exeter #BikeFilmNight took place at the Exeter Phoenix cosy Black Box – Thank you to the Phoenix Digital Department for their participation, help and support. BikeCaffeExeter helped us too to get this space.

NoGutsNoGlory, MagicBikeMike and Velo Vintage gave their time to interact and show their products to the audience of 40.

Böikzmöind was the main film. A real eye opener for the Exeter audience who totally enjoyed it.

Moving from fixed gear to road cycling were the 2 Rapha Films. More traditional & beautifully filmed. The last little surprise was the “Every time a bike is stolen…” -  funny, sweet and bitter 5 minutes.

Velo Vintage also gave away 2 pairs of tickets via a prize draw for their December ride.

Being a free evening, the screening was appreciated by all. A great social evening about cycles. Another #BikeFilmNight  will take place in February/March 2013 – Date tbc. It will be at the same Exeter venue. The film will be 100% adrenaline and mainly about urban messenger riders!

In the meantime, you can check some pictures taken during this first edition > HERE. Thank you all for making this cycling community happen!

Restrap Horizontal Foot Straps Review

Pretty soon after I started riding Fixed Gear I realised I was going to have to use a foot retention system. Gentle rides without having your feet attached to your pedals are fine but when it comes to skidding or getting up big hills you need the extra leverage (and danger!) being attached provides.

I've never used toe clips but they don't look particularly secure and I wasn't sure how they would work with a range of footwear. Clipless pedals aren't for me so that leaves Foot Straps.

I decided to get my straps from Restrap because they are a small UK company and they use recycled materials. I bought their horizontal straps (rather than diagonal) as they seemed like they would be more secure.

Verdict

Bike Film Night

This Wednesday the 21st sees the first Bike Film Night presented by OneGearExeter and BikeCaffeExeter at the Exeter Phoenix. The event is free and features some great films:

Böikzmöind: A fun documentary by Gavin Strange about the fixed gear scene in Bristol.
Rapha films: Short documentaries beautifully filmed about road cycling and adventure as a group of passionate cyclists.

 

As well as these great films Magic Bike Mike will be in attendance with some bikes he has built and No Guts No Glory will bring some bits and pieces from their shop.

All of the tickets are now allocated so unfortunately there won't be any available on the night. Stay tuned for more information about the next Bike Film Night which is already being planned!

Ass Savers Mudguard Review

If like me you aren't too keen to attach a big mudguard to your bike but still want to arrive at your destination with a dry bum then you might be in the market for an Ass Saver. It sounds like someone who helps you out ("Thanks for that Jeff, you're a real ass saver!") but it's actually a small folding mudguard made from (mostly recycled) thin, foldable plastic.

"The SmartAss fits nicely onto the rails of your saddle without any tools or fittings. When it stops raining, simply fold it up and store it underneath your saddle until next time. The SmartAss fits about 80% of all standard rail saddles"

This video shows how it works:

Coffee Shop Ride: 14th of November

After a week off the #CoffeeShopRide is back this Wednesday the 14th of November. We've decided to try a new route around the city for a change. Here is a map of the route to give you an idea of the distance.

As ever anyone is welcome to join us, just turn up at 6pm (or earlier if you want a brew) at Devon Coffee which is next to Nero/Subway on Queen Street Exeter. The pace is steady, a ride not a race. We mostly ride fixed gear or single speed bikes but you are welcome to come along on your geared bike as long as you wait for us on the hills!

You can follow us on Twitter or Facebook.

Fixed'n'Chips 2012

If you are interested in Fixed Gear bikes then you have most likely heard about Fixed'n'Chips by now. The race was organised by Gavin Strange of Boikzmoind fame and is related to the weekly #ChipShopRide in Bristol (which inspired our very own #CoffeeShopRide). This was no ordinary alleycat though, for example how many races have you heard of where you can gain bonus points for scoffing battered sausages?!

OneGearExeter travelled up north to Bristol to take some photos of the event, view the full gallery here.

Coffee Shop Ride: 1st of November

Thanks to everyone who came out to the last Coffee Shop Ride, it was nice to meet some new people and the turn out was great despite the rain. We rode to the Turf Locks which was fun if a little dark (I almost rode into the canal at one point!).

Anyway... the next Coffee Shop Ride will take place this Thursday the 1st of November. We will meet at the Exeter Cycles Cafe (on the Quay near Bar Venezia) from about 5:30pm onwards to leave at about 6pm. We will head towards Topsham and probably stop at the chippy before heading back.

Everyone is welcome - we normally have a mix of people riding Fixed Gear/Single Speed/Geared bikes so whatever you ride you're welcome to join us.

Coffee Shop Ride: 25th of October

The first ever Coffee Shop Ride was a great success (even if we do say so ourselves).The weather was unexpectedly great and other than a puncture everything went to plan. Thanks to everyone who turned up!

In order to suit people who aren't available on weekends we decided that the next ride should be held on a weekday evening. So... the second #CoffeeShopRide will be taking place this Thursday the 25th of October.

Exeter Cycles have recently opened a bike shop and cafe on the quay so we will be meeting there. It's near Bar Venezia and in front of the Clip and Climb centre, this link should take you to a map if you're not sure where that is.

We will ride to Topsham and back which is mostly on cycle paths but please brings lights as it will be dark. If you don't have lights shout on Facebook or Twitter as I'm sure someone will have some you can borrow.

Please join us, everyone who rides fixed gear or single speed is welcome and if you want to join us on a geared bike then that's fine too!

No Guts No Glory Celebrates 3 Years Of Success!

No Guts No Glory turns 3 years old on Saturday 3rd November! To celebrate this they will be filling McCoys Arcade with a section of local artists and makers as well as special guest artists, pop-up local cinema, live bands and competitions!

Based in the Independent West Quarter of Exeter, the No Guts No Glory shop is run by Nathan Blaker and Hayley Marchant. The project aims to support and promote up and coming illustrators, designers and artists by selling their work from their shop in McCoys Arcade. NGNG also curate a range of Organic hand-printed jumpers and t-shirts designed exclusively by the talented artists within the NGNG Collective. "The project is sustainable through and through, from the relationships built with artists and clients to our impact on the planet, using Organic materials and re-purposing where possible, as well as learning practical skills to fix and build things ourselves. We're proud of our D.I.Y ethos!" explained Marchant.

The little shop is crammed with self-published zines, magazines and books as well as an eclectic selection of prints and indie arts. "We aim to offer a platform for emerging local artists as well as bringing inspiring art from further afield to Devon" explains Blaker, who faced the recession head on and started NGNG in 2009 with a budget of only £300. "It's great to feel we have reached such a milestone - to be able to look up and see what we've achieved is incredible."

To celebrate their third year, No Guts No Glory are hosting a party on Saturday 3rd November 2012 to coincide with Handmade Arcade - Exeter's Indie Art and Makers fair. The fair will feature special guest artists Sandra Dieckmann and Jack Teagle, and see the launch of a (free!) Silent Cinema - run by a collective of local film-makers. There will also be live music throughout the day from some of Exeter's finest musicians; Some Sort Of Threat, Giles Bidder, Will Rene, Jess Maidment and more!

No Guts No Glory are offering lots of great discounts in-store as well as drawing competitions, mulled wine and lots of vegan goodies! Join them on Saturday 3rd November from 10am - 5pm at McCoys Arcade on Exeter’s Fore Street to celebrate the diverse range of Independent Art in the South West!

Tokyo to Osaka on Fixed Gear Bikes

This video is a few years old now but pretty interesting if you haven't yet seen it. A group of Fixed Gear riders on an epic journey from Tokyo to Osaka in order to discover the real Japan. It's 13 minutes long so grab a brew and enjoy:

And another one from #CoffeeShopRide with @OneGearExeter #fixedgearexeter by tomstaniford

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/QcYedMxGwm/

The first #CoffeeShopRide of @OneGearExeter #fixedgearexeter . Great fun! by tomstaniford

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/QcYUnQxGwd/

Coffee Shop Ride: 6th of October

The first ever Coffee Shop Ride (or should that be #CoffeeShopRide) will be taking place this Saturday the 6th of October. We will leave from Devon Coffee at 1pm and ride to Topsham and back which is about 10 miles and mostly flat.

We are all about the pleasure of riding so there won't be any sort of competitive element although you are welcome to wear lycra if you're into that sort of thing ;). Anybody who rides a Fixed Gear or Single Speed bike is welcome.

Devon Coffee is located on Queen Street next door to Nero. It's a nice little independent coffee shop so a great place to start. Please spread the word - feel free to use the image above or the Twitter hashtag #CoffeeShopRide. Invite anybody you think might want to join us.

See you on Saturday!

P. S. As well as this blog you can follow us on the Twitter Machine or join the Facebook Group.

Showing our fixie colours! #fixedgearexeter #bikecaffe #fixie #coffee #streetfood #cofeeshopride #exeter by bikecaffeexeter

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/QRpmEOzgWX/

My freewheel is coming off tonight (hopefully!) #fixedgearexeter by thomassays

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/QPT-4cwIKy/

Plymouth Fixed Gear Videos

Check out these videos by our neighbours down the road in Plymouth:





If you're in the Plymouth area (move? ;)) then check out their Facebook group. They're doing some rides on Thursdays:

"We're running a night time crit every Thursday with the Plymouth Fixed-Gear/Single-Speed Cycling Club (Although geared bikes are welcome, too) - nothing serious, just for some winter training."

via The Foot Down

Fixed Gear Exeter spoke cards are done. #fixedgearexeter by thomassays

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/QFoeYNwINr/

Some of our toys! 1983 Raleigh styler. French singlespeed cruiser. #Bmx by bikecaffeexeter

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/Nyo3KoTgd5/

Bikecaffe Sketch style! by bikecaffeexeter

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/M3q5WAzgXz/

Exeter fixed gear & single speed community plans

During our great not sunny Summer 2012, it appeared that Bristol - only up the road from Exeter - has a major fixed gear cycle community.

What is this all about?

It is not about racing but meeting up to share the same enthusiasm and passion: riding a simple and easy bike with only one sprocket!

The @OneGearExeter twitter stream was started with the aim of gaining local followers to build that missing Exeter fixed gear cycle community.

There are more and more cyclists, but no community! Once again it is clear that we aren't about competition level but about enjoying the rides, feeling the thin tyres stroking the road. Each bike being different and almost unique to match your personality to a certain extent.

 

What's next, you might ask?

First of all, getting enough people willing to meet-up most likely Saturday mornings/afternoons - as now darkness comes early - and go for a few miles within and around Exeter...all in a friendly manner.

The meeting point will be in Queen Street Exeter outside/inside Devon Coffee Shop. A great meeting place where you can get a nice brew before and/or after a ride. Great choice of teas and cakes too.

To know the evolution of such #CoffeeShopRide (important hashtag to remember for the future) our twitter account is here for live and direct updates.

Secondly, we hope to be able to organize little events including something along the line of Bike Film Night...not making films but watching films. A few movies are already on a shortlist. All details will be confirmed as soon as we have more information according to possibilities/options.

Local players would be involved as well. However, it is a real logistic puzzle to get the projection space, the eventual speakers and guests at the same time in the same space. Be patient with such thing but we hope that it will happen faster than initially thought.

This cycle community is not about making cash from participants but just about blending around the same subject that is pedal-power on a rudimentary machine.

You can also interact with us via Instagram:

Show us your fixie by tagging your Instagram photo with #fixedgearexeter and it will appear on our blog. Finally, if you see fixed gear or single speed riders in Exeter engage with them, whatever their age.
Until next time...be safe!

#fixedgearexeter #cycle #singlespeed #frame #fixie #label #numbered by whiteandcream

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/PzdnozAteC/

Strapped in. #fixedgear #straps #fixedgearexeter by thomassays

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/Pyi5OVQIBx/

BÖIKZMÖIND: A Bristol Fixed Gear Documentary

BÖIKZMÖIND is a documentary about the fixed gear scene in Bristol which was created by Designer and all-round creative guy Gavin Strange. The film focuses on what it's like to ride fixed gear bikes and some of the great events going on in Brizzle.

As well as the obvious riding footage and talking heads there are some excellent set pieces in the film. Gavin works for Aardman Animations by day and clearly used his creative side to come up with some sections which you wouldn't expect to see in a your average documentary.



What BÖIKZMÖIND does most of all is make you want to go out a ride as soon as it's finished which says it all really. If you are interested in seeing the film you can watch the Trailer or download it for only £5.99 from here.

Hello World!