Exeter Bike Polo

Exeter has a growing Fixed Gear scene - we meet weekly to ride and have a good few people in our Facebook group swapping bike parts and ideas. We even have our reoccurring Bike Film Night held at the Exeter Phoenix (stay tuned for more details about the next one...).

What we don't have so far is a bike polo scene. There is some interest however so we just need to sort out some details the main one being a decent location. If anyone knows of a good place to set something up then let us know either in the comments or in the Facebook group.

Image by James P.

Juliet Elliott - On the Other Side of the Night.

If, like me, you haven't been out for a ride for a while due to the snow slush you might find yourself watching Fixed Gear videos and dreaming of better weather. In which case you're in luck.

Local rider Juliet Elliott stars in this video for Met Helmets which is really nicely shot by moonlight. Keep an eye on the locations - I spotted the Quay in Exeter and Ness Cove which brought back some childhood memories!



If you like riding at night then join us on our weekly #CoffeeShopRide starting from Devon Coffee on Queen St in Exeter on Wednesdays from 6:30pm. Unfortunately the weather is too rubbish for tonight's ride but we should be okay next Wednesday the 30th of January.

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.

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.

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!

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/