Idea – illustration – screen print – t-shirt

It all started in December 2012.

We wanted to have something more than a spoke card.

Beside our BikeFilmNight and CoffeeShopRide, we needed a little extra to show that there is a real fixed gear and single speed community in Exeter.

During a HandmadeArcade  organized by NoGutsNoGlory , we met Michael Jennings. His work is neat and detailed…ideal for a visual identity.

After a few exchange of emails and ideas regarding the main subject then the fonts and the layout, Mick came up with this one:

Why a bird?! Why not! It was important for us to have something not featuring a bike or anything directly linked to the minimal geometry of a cycle.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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!