Cycle to Work with Stamford Cycle Co
Last week Stamford Cycle Co opened their doors to the cycling community of Altrincham. The timing could not have been more perfect, as just a week on we are approaching annual Cycle to Work Day! Thursday 5th August is all about encouraging people to make their all-important commute by bicycle. Whether you’ve been cycling for years or you’ve only ever driven, with the right bicycle and a safe storage method, anyone can switch to a more sustainable mode of transport.
Recently opened Stamford Cycle Co have a wide selection of road and hybrid bikes to make the journey a doddle, while secure, covered, on-site bicycle storage at 3 Barrington Road means you don’t have to worry about theft, rust, or a long walk to pick it up! Not to mention our brand new shower and changing facilities, making it easy to get ready for work after travelling in.
To encourage more people to cycle to work, we spoke to Ed and Bryony at Stamford Cycle Co, to find out a bit more about their shop and how you can optimise your two-wheeled commute.
Firstly, welcome to the neighbourhood! Please tell us a little bit about why you opened Stamford Cycle Co?
We have always loved travelling and exploring by bike and wanted to share our knowledge & experience to help people enjoy getting about on two wheels.
Our focus is on utility cycling. Whether you’re commuting to work, grabbing some shopping or enjoying a ride with family and friends, we’re here to help you get the best out of your bike.
What services do you offer?
We have an open workshop offering a full range of repairs & servicing. All types of bikes are welcome. We also have a range of new adults & children’s bikes and accessories in store.
If you’re looking for a custom build bike, we have a range of steel frames to choose from and can help build any type of bike you like. Friendly advice is always available!
5th August is Cycle to Work Day. Do you have any words of advice or encouragement for someone wanting to transition to cycling to work?
We’ve seen a huge increase in people cycling to work over the last 18 months. Some people have been nervous to return to public transport but there are lots of benefits to commuting by bike.
It’s a much greener way to get around and reducing our carbon output has never been more important. Cycling is also a great form of exercise that you can make part of your work day, rather than having to find time to fit this in.
Travelling by bike offers more independence than waiting for the bus or having to collect the car before your parking expires. You can travel at times that suit you. It can be much quicker to cycle short distances than joining busy traffic jams and it’s great to clear your head after your working day by enjoying a bike ride!
Can you recommend any accessories for someone commuting via bicycle?
Adding a rack or basket to your bike makes it easy to carry anything you need to take with you for work or to grab some shopping on your way home. You can let your bike do the carrying for you and a set of waterproof pannier bags will keep your things safe and dry.
A good pair of lights will make sure you’re visible if you’re commuting when the daylight hours are shorter.
We would recommend carrying a waterproof jacket and a pair of gloves in the winter months.
What is cycling to work like in Altrincham?
There are dedicated cycling lanes along many of the roads into Altrincham but lots of the routes to the centre can take you off road. The Bridgewater Canal and the nearby parks offer great escapes from some of the busier road routes into town.
The Bee Network, which is an initiative to prioritise active travel across Greater Manchester, also has development plans to create a dedicated cycling and walking route into Altrincham from residential areas.
What are your top 3 road bike recommendations for someone cycling to and from work?
If you can, choose a lighter weight bike. Lighter models can be more expensive, but you will be able to get to work quicker with less effort, and you can pedal at your own pace.
If you’re looking for a new bike just for commuting, you might not need to invest in lots of gears, especially if your route is quite flat. With a single speed, your bike will only need minimal maintenance.
If you’re using your bike to commute every day or doing lots of miles, we’d recommend you get your bike serviced around every 6 months. This will help maintain your bike’s components. Although parts will need replacing from time to time, a well looked after bike should last you a lifetime.
What is your top bike pick for value for money?
We have a range of bikes from Forme which start from £399. The City models come fitted with a rack and mudguards so are ideal for commuting. We like things to be multi purpose and with a good range of gears and grippy tyres, they’re great for exploring the local trails and county parks at weekends too.
Finally, what do you think the future looks like for cyclists in the UK?
Travelling by bike has become increasingly popular and we are pleased to see there is continued investment in the UK cycling network. We have already seen the introduction of many more dedicated cycle lanes, which have helped to get more people feeling confident on the roads.
E-Bikes are also becoming popular and can make it much easier to cycle longer distances or hillier routes. Cargo bikes are also making greener delivery and courier services possible in cities.
We hope that cycling to work can be the first choice for most people in the future.
