Das Rad Klub Bristol to Barcelona Ride

Yesterday I passed a group of cyclists in matching black lycra near Cullompton heading towards Exeter. At first I couldn't understand why a group a roadies would be pedalling so fast but as we got closer it became clear that they were riding Fixed Gear bikes. They were all wearing Das Rad Klub Jerseys - I remembered Laurent mentioning that Das Rad Klub was a Bristol company so I Googled them to see what they were up to down here.

It turns out that 5 fixed gear riders are cycling from Bristol to Barcelona to raise money for Bristol Area Stroke Foundation. You can read more about them on the Das Rad Klub blog here and sponsor them here.

Riding from Bristol to Barcelona on a fixed gear bike (in this heat!) is pretty impressive stuff so sponsor them! Das Rad Klub have leant the guys a GoPro so hopefully there will be some footage to share once they get back.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!