Spinning around London at a New Urban Bike Show.

Two trips to an old Brewery and a bicycling bonanza! 03 05 05 Friday's ride 19 miles, max 19.4 on the Marin and Sundays ride 05 05 13, 15 miles with a max speed of 19.1 on the Brommie.

An introduction to Spin London's inaugural appearance - a very pleasant and rather an exciting experience it turned out to be. Billed as an Urban Bike Show it gave me the impression that it was mainly for cyclists with no more than one gear. I didn't let this put me off but I did take a fixie friend with me so that they could act as a translator for all that 48:16 numbers talks!   

                                                                          Donhou

                                           

                                                         La Torpille Cycles via There Cycling

                                                       

What a great surprise it turned out to be. Yes there were some fixed wheel bicycles, but there was a range of other bicycles too.  As I walked in I was drawn to a magnificent display by Peleton & Co of Boardman bicycles.   

This is the top, elite end of the range - the one I took a shine to was a track bike although I am sadly unable to make a career from riding a bicycle on a track!  

I was happy to learn, though, that Peloton & Co (their website www.pelotonco.cc is nearly ready) are about to open a new bicycle shop and cafe with a workshop in Smithfields - hopefully next weekend.  A definite must on my list. How exciting!

It was also pleasing to see several bike manufacturers for instance Bicycles by Design  Slate Cycles,  Oak Cycles and  14 Bike Co to name a few.  Surly, Pinnacle and Foffa were also represented fantastically well.

Most if not all of the exhibitors were independent, local to London companies with a really unique and off the beaten track range of bicycles and cycling accessories. 

I had done a bit of  research into the non bicycle exhibitors and had looked at each and every website earlier in the week to give me an idea as to what to look out for. 

Top of the list were Road Rags who specialise in merino clothing their merino legging with a skirt top is very clever and comfortable. 

Next on the list was  Vulpine who also specialise in merino.  Their Alpine top is very comfortable - I did try a buttoned top in Cycle Surgery later in the day but it was a slightly unusual size although this I am sure will change. The quality of their fabric is absolutely top notch and unlike Road Rage, comes in many colours. I can't wait to see more of their collection - their new one will be available in July.  Tokyo Fixed also stock Vulpine!

Next on my list was  Hackney GT.  Not just a Cyclocross club but a fabulous collection of cyclewear.  Their tops may not yet be in merino but in polyester.  The designs however are really, really great - their new collection will feature prints that have been inspired by Miro.  Genius!  Can't wait!

Not only did these three companies really impress me with their quality, design and passion for their products but as small independent companies the senior management and in the case of Hackney GT the designer were in attendance.   

This reminded me of Velorution in Great Portland Street who always seem to have interesting and unusual pieces - as I may have mentioned before - definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Ambling through Spin London I found two artists with stalls -  Rebecca J Kaye
who not only designs cards that are sold in Look Mum No Hands but also this cycling top for  Milltag (available to pre-order from 10th May apparently)

along with Anthony Oram who has some really lovely prints available on line

And not forgetting  Tamasine Osher who designs wall mounted furniture that combines shelving units with bicycle storage. 

Veleco caught my eye as their range of clothing is both eco-friendly and fair trade.  Great and fun designs on t-shirts, I thought.  

 

Retro Reflectives are creating ways of being visible without being bright yellow all over.

If fettling and bike building are your thing, Downland Cycles in Canterbury, Kent offer both bike building and maintenance courses. 

I also met the owner of Cycle Hoop who has just designed great bicycle storage.

Anthony also runs I Bike London who are great cycling enthusiasts - not just with their cycling accessories but also their rides around London. I am definitely going to look out for the next one.

Along with the exhibitors' stands there were also a few displays. Two chaps on BMXs were doing stunts that made you forget they were actually on bicycles. So impressive it made me want to cry - how do they do that?!  A bit of competition on Rollapoliza caused quite a stir too!

In the afternoon there was a question and answer session on bike security - including bike marking and a new a new system for quick release bolts  Atomic22 followed by a really scary demonstration by Bike Works on how ineffective some bike locks are.   

This was really scary as it took two guys a few minutes with a piece of scaffolding pole to break locks including Abus. They did not do a demonstration with the Kryptonite which is hopefully a positive sign that they are less easy to break. 

London Cycling Campaign were running a Time Trial for tyre Changing which was fun - although I was a spectator not a participant!

As its first year, the number of people attending Spin London was not enormous, by any stretch of the imagination, but that I am sure is pretty standard for new events.  What I can say though, having been twice in three days is that it is definitely a date for the diary.   I cannot emphasise enough how huge the passion for cycling there was from each and every organisation.  Spin London is not about fixed wheel cycling - it's about cycling.  What's not to like?!