Open Toolbox Lewes!
February 4th, 2010 No comments »So i have been toying with this idea for a little while and now i feel that Lewes is ready for it.
When i first moved to London, i used to offer a service which i called the Open Toolbox. Originally on a Sunday morning, the idea was that people would come over with bike problems, bring a few Sunday be(ers)verages, some food, a bit of music. Then i would give free use of my tools and advice. The main objective was to give people a chance to fix their own bikes, meet others and help each other out. It quickly became quite tight group or people, with regulars showing up. More importantly to me it allowed for myself to meet other bike nerds, seeing as i was new to the city. After the open toolbox session, we would normally go out for a lazy ride and end up at the Polo.
I still need to figure out the exact logistics of it. But it will more than likely be on a Wednesday evening. Lets say from 5 – 8. In the shop we only have two workstands so no more than two people working on a bike at a time. But im sure within the three hours, we can get through a few people. Obviously i do not want to take anything away from the bike doctors on a Saturday morning, this can be something a little different. Bring some snacks, maybe a beer or two. Along with all your bike questions. All for free!
Lewes is a very independent and community driven town. So hopefully this kind of thing will appeal to everyone. Even if you have no clue about bikes, i am sure you will learn something. Plus i can assure you, there is no better feeling than turning something that you think will never work into something as good as new.
If interested, please send an email to me (Matt) at lewes@futurecycles.co.uk. Or give me a phone call on 01273 483108.
Hope to hear from you all soon!
Lewes Charity Shop Records!
February 4th, 2010 No comments »So i am going to start a new weekly feature.
Since working in Lewes, i have had a chance to explore a bit more of what the town has to offer. Everything from independent health food shops all the way to vintage and retro bric and brac. It was just after christmas that i started to venture into the charity shops. i like buying records. Mostly alternative shouty punk bands from America, but more recently got in to the habit of buying anything that takes my fancy, be it Costello or Cash. (a few weeks ago i picked up a signed copy of Something Blue by the attractions for £1.50)
So here we go.. Week beginning the 1st of February
David Bowie – Hunky Dory – 12inch 1980 reprint £3
Contains classics such as Changes and life on Mars. Never been a massive fan of Bowie, only ever listened to him in passing. But i really respect the work he has put out over the years (apart from that awful Christmas song!) So i am hoping that a complete listen of this will help me see him in a different light.
The Stranglers – Rattus Norvegicus – 12inch 1977 original £2
The punk record that never was! From the start of their career they were often lumped in with the Punk scene. There are parts of this record that really do have a punk vibe, a slight vocal snarl, but otherwise this is straight up rock ad roll. I love the use of instruments other than guitars and the offbeat feel of Peaches.
So that is it for this week!
Go and check your local charity shops for hidden treasures.
-M
Derma Shield!
February 4th, 2010 No comments »Oh My Word!
This is more than just barrier cream. Just had a can through the post, decided to put it to the test. Put on a golf ball sized application, let it dry for a little while and then put it to the test. A few layers of copper grease, blue grease, chain lube, dirt.. rubbed it all in. The kind of stuff which would stain the skin.
Then after a quick rinse off, any sign of the grease was gone. Amazing stuff!
Never before have i been this excited about PPE!
http://www.dermashield.co.uk/
Hell photos!!
February 1st, 2010 No comments »These have been lifted from SportivePhoto
Going to order some prints to put up in the shop, hang on my wall, place on my fridge, hand out to friends.. maybe a mousemat and a coffee mug as well?
Hell of Ashdown – The Aftermath
February 1st, 2010 No comments »And so the day arrived. With weeks of pretending to train behind us, Matt and I set out to Biggin Hill to take part in our first sportive. What exactly possessed us to enter the gruelling seven-major-climb-110km-ride-in-the-middle-of-winter, I can’t actually remember – but on our way to the start line there was no turning back.
It was great to pull onto the open road and gather some speed to stick with a group that looked like they meant business. It was at that point that I got the unmistakeable feeling of a flat tyre. After ten minutes of faffing about with tubes all our momentum and enthusiasm had drained away, we set off to complete the remaining 109.5km.
It was only after a short while of getting back in our stride that Matt disappeared up the second major climb of the day. It’s fair to say that since our last ride he has improved immeasurably. A slight role reversal had occurred and I now felt like I was holding up progress. From Hever to Hartfield the roads became incredibly icey, with some sections needing to be walked instead. This seemed to really annoy some of the more experienced guys, but to me it was all part of it and added to the challenge.
The first feed station was in Hartfield where I was reunited with Matt after him waiting for “ages”. Tea, milk, three sugars, and back out on the road. Starting again after a stop was hard all day as you get cold so quickly. Still after five minutes all is forgotten, and you’re warm… apart from your hands, feet, and face.
Next, was Kidd’s Hill AKA ‘The Wall’. We have a little competition going in FutureCycles to see who can get up it the fastest. You can forget fastest times though, it was all about not stopping today. It has never seemed so steep, and I was very please to get to the top and see all those who had arranged to see us there.
A quick spin over Ashdown Forest and then a decent into Groombridge (and a climb out again). It was a very long way to the next feed station, and I think I took on about roast dinner’s worth of calories getting there. By this time Matt had dropped right back, and I had to wait “ages” for him.
Matt would be the first to admit that he may have gone of a little hard to the half waypoint…
There was the sudden realisation that I still had the same to do again.
….He may have died after Kidd’s Hill, but it’s fair to say that we have found our FutureCycles Cycle Team sprinter!
From the second feed there were only 20km to go, and they took an hour. On the way to the finish we stuck together as we navigated the icy patches and final climbs back towards Biggin Hill.
110km in 6 hours 18 minutes 6 seconds, start to finish including all stops… and punctures, which added up to over an hour. Not bad for a first run, and even though my legs were burning at the end, it’s a performance we can both build on in the future…
Yep, there’ll be more!
- David
50/14’s Send Off
January 30th, 2010 No comments »While living in London I was quite an active member of the London Fixed Gear and Single Speed (LFGSS) message board. Both online and offline. We would regularly meet up for rides and drinks. In that time is met a truly great cycling gent. Paul Roantree aka 50/14. Unfortunately he was diagnosed with Cancer a little while before christmas. He sadly past away a couple of weeks ago. Being such a great community, the LFGSS members all got together and organised an amazing send off for him. Which involved a custom cycle hearse!
RIP Paul
Photo Credit: Diable
Hell of the Ashdown this Sunday!
January 28th, 2010 No comments »So i will admit, i am a bit unprepared for this ride. The winter training regime hasn’t gone all too well. Too many pints and not enough electrolytes. Though Elete does work pretty well when used as a hangover cure!.
110km.. distance wise, not too bad. The hills, sit and spin up them. Easy with a triple chain set. The weather however.. Here is what metcheck has to say.
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Thats right… it will feel like sub zero!
Seven-year-old raises thousands for Haiti quake victims
January 25th, 2010 No comments »Pretty good going!
Via BBC news
A seven-year-old boy from London who was aiming to raise £500 for the Haiti quake relief effort through a sponsored bike ride has raised more than £72,000.
Charlie Simpson, from Fulham, west London, cycled five miles (8km) around South Park near his home to raise funds for Unicef’s earthquake appeal.
His call for support touched the hearts of people around the world after he put a message on the JustGiving website.
Unicef thanked him “on behalf of the many children in Haiti”.
On his JustGiving page, Charlie said: “I want to do a sponsored bike ride for Haiti because there was a big earthquake and loads of people have lost their lives.
“I want to make some money to buy food, water and tents for everyone in Haiti.”Unicef is helping to provide water, sanitation, education and nutrition, as well as supporting child protection.
Money raised by Charlie will go towards its Haiti Earthquake Children’s Appeal.
Along with donations, Charlie was flooded with messages of support.
One donor said: “Well done Charlie – you are an inspiration to us all.”
A donor who read about Charlie’s appeal in New Zealand described his ride as an “awesome” act of kindness.
Another donor said: “We’re cheering you on from Hong Kong.”
David Bull, Unicef’s UK executive director, described Charlie’s ride on Sunday as a “little seed” which had rapidly grown into something much bigger.
“This is a very bold and innovative gesture by Charlie that shows he connects with and not only understands what children his own age must be going through in Haiti, but is also wise enough to know that he can help them,” he said.
“The little seed – his idea – that he has planted has grown rapidly and his is a place well-deserved in the humanitarian world.
“On behalf on the many children in Haiti, I thank Charlie for his effort.”
Recumbents in Lewes!
January 15th, 2010 No comments »Guessing the car drivers of Lewes aren’t too keen on the idea of a recumbent bicycle just yet!
Amateur Photographer?
January 15th, 2010 No comments »So to those that had managed to brave the snow and come in to Lewes over the last few days (luckily it has all gone now), you would have probably found me playing with an old russian SLR camera. I have had no interest in photography in the past, but i am pretty pleased with the way that these have come out. Especially seeing as i have no idea what i am doing!
Look what we just had in the shop..
January 12th, 2010 No comments »An 1886 Peugeot..
Anyone know where to get spokes for it?
Notice the 1917 Tax plate?
Copenhagen Cycle Chic: Christiania Cargo Bikes
January 11th, 2010 No comments »The ultimate people, child, fridge, sofa carrying cargo bike!
We are pleased to announce that within the next month or so, Future Cycles in Lewes will be stocking the Christiania cargo bike. Only the new two wheeled one for now. With scope to be able to special request the original three wheel trike.
They come equipped with hub brakes and an 8 speed hub gear. Perfect maintenance free school run machine. With a gear low enough to easily make it up School Hill in Lewes.
There has also been rumors of an electrical assist version. To make things that little bit easier.
Pictured here is the bike without the cargo box. For more details and images, check the link below.
On thin ice
January 9th, 2010 No comments »The recent weather is no reason to let your bike just sit there and gather snow.
Take a peak at these cycling tips for taking to the road in icy conditions.
