News
JAMES GOLDING | CANCER SURVIVOR AND RECORD BREAKER
The Fix talks to an old friend of Quella James Golding about surviving cancer, breaking world records, and his goal of being the first man to win Ride Across America.
We have known each other a while and we are very familiar with your back story and the horrendous health issues you have battled, but it’s inspirational stuff and it would be great to share it with our Fix readers.
I don’t mind talking about it at all because, horrible as it was at the time, it has brought about so many positives in my life and changed my perspective on almost everything. I was diagnosed with cancer in 2008 and told that my chances of survival were bleak. The following months consisted of some very gruelling treatment and a prognosis that I might well spend my life in a wheelchair. As you can see, I managed to avoid that, but I did spend 4 months in one and then got a second diagnosis of another tumour 3 years later. It was hard going but it was during those times that I developed a resolve to turn the negatives into positives and I will always be grateful for that.
Since your recovery, it is fair to see you have become a fairly bonkers cyclist. Could you give the Fix readers an insight into what ‘bonkers’ about cycling means in your case?
Yes, bonkers is a good way of putting it!! There have been so many big rides and so much training. It is fair to say that some of the early smaller sportives I did after cancer also were some of the hardest at the time when my body was still massively depleted. Since then, I guess some of the bigger ‘headliners’ are LA to Miami (3473miles), London to Edinburgh in 2 days, 9 x Haute Route 7-day trips across the Alps and Pyrenees, the Mallorca 312km and pre-running the Tour of Britain route. The most recent big one was the Ride Across The West in the States earlier this year which has qualified me for the Race Across America 2020. I have definitely missed loads out, but they are all on my website.
And, you have raised a few quid for charity in the process – we know you are a modest soul but please tell us the magic number?!?
I like to think that I am modest, but I am also unbelievably proud to say that I have raised over £3million for charity since my recovery from cancer.
Huge congratulations on breaking the seven day world record, talk us through that.
In a word – hard - 1766 miles of hard! As with a lot of challenges, it becomes a huge mind game. Am I in real distress or real discomfort? Discomfort – keep going!! Do I want to stop more than I want this World record? World record please! I have learnt that if there is a clear goal, I can nearly always keep going. I am definitely an endurance rider not a racer.
So the big project now is Ride Across America, where are you at with that?
I want to be the first British athlete to win and I am confident that I can do it. Endurance races aren’t as well known as the Grand Tours but I can assure you that this is a monster. It is widely recognised as the hardest bike race in the world. To win, you need a proper team behind you and I have secured some great sponsors and we are well on the way but I am still fundraising and would love to hear from any readers who would like to get involved in helping a GB rider make history. It’s a huge financial commitment as well as a personal one and cannot be done without a professional team in place.
Give us a few stats!!
There are many, I know them all far too well!! Here’s a few – the total race is 30% longer than the Tour de France and is complete without any rest days. I’ll race 3000 miles total, approx. 375 miles per day for 8 days against the clock, average sleep per night 3 hours, over 17,000 metres of climbing up to a max height of 3309 metres (1.5 times Mont Ventoux!!) To break the current record, I need to get from San Diego to Maryland in under 7 days and 16 hours! Of all the stats, that final number is the one that I wake up in the morning thinking about. Sadly, all the rest are out of my control!!
Bloody hell!! It sounds horrific. How’s training going?
Really good thanks, notwithstanding a few domestic issues. Louise, me, and our two kids moved to Portugal to give me easy access to the right training environment – better weather, quieter roads, and plenty of climbing. The house desperately needed a new kitchen and a few other bits. The local builders arrived and took it upon themselves to make their first job ripping out the old kitchen, so we are currently living in a house with two young kids and a makeshift kitchen in the front room. The builder is now well behind on the project and Louise’s patience is wearing very thin. Apart from that we love it!!
Is the Quella still getting a run out for the odd trip to the local bar?
Hmmm, I am sad to report that the local bar is not really on the agenda, unfortunately it's definitely more bananas that beer at present and my lovely Quella is hidden at the back of the garage behind the majority of my furniture, a large pile of building materials and a cement mixer!! Get the house finished, ride across America, and then I will be back on my trusty single-speed and definitely enjoying a few cold ones!! As usual, ‘One step at a time!!!’
James – as always its been an absolute pleasure. We wish you the very best luck with the project and the fundraising – if anyone can do this, it is you!
James Golding is aiming to be the first British rider to win Ride Across America, the hardest endurance bike race in the world. It’s a huge challenge and despite having some great sponsors on board James is still fundraising hard in between countless hours of training. There are still some amazing sponsorship opportunities available.
If you are interested in helping James and promoting your brand, visit his website at www.onestepatatimeuk.com
OR
E-mail: simon@jamesgolding.uk.com
Daniel Hughes has had some amazing adventures in his lifetime - passing selection for the Special Forces, placed the first Red Nose and made the world's highest video call from the summit of Everest to the BBC Newschannel, raced two world Duathlon championships, raced as a pro-cyclist and flies around the world as a 787 pilot. In recent times, he has combined his travel with his love for cycling and photography to create beautiful content for his website and Instagram accounts that has lead to sponsorship with some of cycling's top brands including Shimano, Silca, Panaracer, Hexa helmets and Strava. When not riding one of his factory issued Basso bikes and filming in some of our planet's most extraordinary places, he can be found bombing around his home town of Stoke Newington with his wife Carali on a pair of Quella Stealths.
YOU HAVE POSTED SOME INCREDIBLE FOOTAGE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, WHAT ARE THE STAND-OUT DESTINATIONS AND RIDES?
ANY TALES OF ADVERSITY THAT YOU CARE TO SHARE?
HOW IS THE BUCKET LIST LOOKING? ANY BIG CHALLENGES ON THE HORIZON?
IS A GRAVEL BIKE VERY DIFFERENT TO A ROAD BIKE? WHAT ARE YOUR WEAPONS OF CHOICE?
YOU WERE A SPONSORED RIDER FOR A WHILE, IS THE RACING CAREER OVER?
WHAT CAME FIRST THE CAMERA OR THE BIKE? DID YOU HAVE ANY PHOTOGRAPHIC TRAINING?
HOW DOES THE 'SELF-PHOTOGRAPHY' PROCESS WORK WHEN YOU ARE RIDING ALONE? WHAT KIT ARE YOU USING? DO YOU WORK WITH OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS?
THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING. AS A FINAL QUESTION, WHAT DOES DANIEL HUGHES DO ON HIS DAYS OFF OR ARE YOU TOOK KNACKERED?
THE BRISTOL BIKE PROJECT I AWARD WINNING COMMUNITY PROJECT
Bristol Bike Project is in its 10th year, The Fix talks to Krysia Williams, Community Co-ordinator to find out more.
Happy birthday to the project! Congratulations on your 10th anniversary, that's quite an achievement. For those unfamiliar with BBP, can you explain how it all began and why?
Thanks! Yes, we’re really proud to be celebrating our 10th year! BBP was born when two friends came back from a cycling trip in Norway with the idea to do combine their new-found love of bikes with a desire to do good in their community. Through volunteering with Bristol Refugee Rights (BRR), they’d come to know of the acute need for affordable transport among asylum seekers in Bristol, many of whom were struggling to get about the city to make important appointments. They put up some posters asking for unwanted bicycles, and within days were spannering away and rehoming those bicycles with people from BRR. The mound of donated bikes grew as quickly as the number of people knocking on our door needing a bike themselves, and before we knew it we were settling into the vibrant workshop in Hamilton House which we still call home today. Our friend James from Touchpaper Productions recently made a film to tell the story of our 10 year journey. It’s a lovely watch, for anyone interested!
We hear you are in the 2019 Lonely Planet guide, what sort of experience are you offering a tourist who turns up with Lonely Planet in their back pocket?
Indeed we are! It was a lovely surprise to get that Lonely Planet window sticker through the post! The Project has definitely become a bit of a meeting point in Bristol, so it’s amazing to get this recognition on a national scale. For anyone, tourists or otherwise, interested to know more about the Project, I’d say don’t just come down to have a look. The real experience is by coming along and getting stuck in. You could come and fix your own bike at one of our DIY workshops, sign up for a maintenance course, or volunteer at a session to help others get out on two wheels! We also offer tours to people who are setting up their own bike projects, and we’re really happy to share our learnings to get people started.
How many staff and volunteers work at the Project now?
We’re a pretty big community now... There’s around 16 employees, mostly part-time, including our shop mechanics, coordinators for our community programmes, and office staff who keep busy making sure everything is rolling smoothly behind the scenes. We also have around 150 volunteers who give a huge amount of time and energy to get bicycles ready for our community programmes. Most of our volunteers are keen to get their hands dirty in the workshop, but we also have some fantastic volunteer support in the office, helping the business of the Co-op tick over. Oh - and all our directors are volunteers as well!
Where do staff typically come from? Do you take them on as trained mechanics or are they learning on the job?
Many of the mechanics, and office staff, who are now employed at the Project started out as volunteers. We’re really keen to support people who want to build their skills, and volunteering with us is a really great way to get that training. Many volunteers actually say how getting involved in the Project helped them to realise that they want to pursue a career as a bike mechanic and have gone on to get jobs either at the Project or other bike shops in Bristol. It’s amazing to see people develop in this way! We don’t offer any formal training or apprenticeship schemes at the moment, but it’s something we’re keen to look at in the future.
Does a job at BBP tend to be a start point for people wanting to move onwards in the cycling industry, like an apprenticeship type model?
Yes, a number of our volunteers have started out learning here, and have gone on to work in great independent bike shops in Bristol like Jakes Bikes, Bike Workshop, Roll Quick and Bool’s Bicycles. Some also get jobs with us, or learn elsewhere and then come to work for us. I think being mechanic here is quite different from other bike shops - you’re working not to make a profit for the business, but to support our community programmes which help people with less money get out on two wheels as well. We’re also a Co-op, so everyone - yes, even the mechanics! - get stuck in with the wider business of the Project, like designing our community programmes, training volunteers and providing general support to the wider BBP community. 
How is BBP funded, is it possible to generate any surplus with a model like this? What happens to any profits?
We fund ourselves for the most part through our busy bicycle shop, where we sell refurbished second-hand bikes, and do all the usual bike shop stuff like repairs and services. It’s always been the priority to make our own money where possible, so that we’re resilient and not reliant on grants. We also get some grant money and have a successful Earn-a-Bike Supporters’ Scheme - we’re really grateful for all the donors, funders and customers who support us, ensuring we can continue to be here for our community.
We’re a Community Interest Community, so all our profits are reinvested in our community programmes. We are able to generate surplus, which is really important in safeguarding the Project against any big expenses things that might come up - like our move this year!
We understand a move is on the cards, for any potential landlords out there, maybe you could tell us what you are looking for?
Yes, we’re really sad to be leaving our lovely home at Hamilton House, but the time has come to move onto pastures new. We are looking for suitable spaces anywhere in Bristol - somewhere accessible, reasonably central and affordable. To give you an idea on size, we currently have about 1500 sq ft inside for our shop and community workshop, and a further 900 sq ft externally for bike storage. We’d love to find a bigger space if we can, but we’re flexible and willing to be creative! We don’t have a clear idea of when our landlords want us out, but it could be as soon as February 2019 so we are looking for somewhere as soon as possible to ensure a smooth transition.
We know your efforts have been recognised with a few awards over the years but we understand that 2018 landed a biggie with the National Community Group Award - tell us more.
We were pretty thrilled when one of our former Earn-a-Bikers, Essam - popped in a few months back to tell us he’d nominated us for MTM’s community group award, which celebrates the the excellence & achievements of Asian, Black & Ethnic Minorities. We were even more thrilled when we were announced as the winners! There’s so many organisations doing such wonderful work in Bristol, so it’s a real honour to be named for an award like this!
PARIS-ROUBAIX | FEATURING GARRETT TURBETT
In December 2002 Garret Turbett was involved in a life-changing road accident. His neck broken in three places and his back in one, he was left with 80% paralysis in one arm. At 34 he became a para-athlete for his native country of Ireland.
This is a story of overcoming adversity, a love for the traditions of cycling and the battles of one man taking on the cobbles of Paris- Roubaix.
FEATURING QUELLA AMBASSADOR GARRETT TURBETT
FILMMAKERS CLEMENT HODGKINSON /2ND CAMERA TOBY RONEY
www.clementhodgkinson.com / www.tobyroney.comSUPPORTED BY QUELLA BICYCLE
Elliot Jones | A Photographer on a fixie
'This is my bicycle, there are many like it, but this one is MINE' is a sentiment most cyclists are familiar with; your bike is precious and personal, a friend as much as a possession. Like a lover, it might have 'issues'; a cranky personality, the occasional breakdown, and the ability to puncture your emotions from time to time. However, together you make a beautiful partnership without the complications of bad sex and arguments about whose turn it is to take the bins out.
Anyone who has owned a bike will know the pain felt when some undeserving, low-life swipes it whilst resting and vulnerable. It is inconvenient, expensive and annoying - really, really annoying.
Elliot Jones, a 22-year-old photographer and content manager at website basementapproved.com, had owned his Quella Nero fixie for precisely 489 days. It had whizzed him across London from Tufnell Park to Shoreditch hundreds of times, always beating the traffic and the tube. Sure, it had thrown him a couple of punctures, one of them in the pouring rain, and it lost its chain bouncing out of one of London's 'infinite' potholes, but it was a good'un - extremely good looking, low maintenance, reliable and steady. So, when he emerged from the pub after a quick post-work sharpener to find what little remained of his lock lying on the floor, he was very, very hacked off. He had lost his loved one to a thief.
Luckily, Elliot is a resourceful fellow and a talented photographer, so when he was told a couple of days later that his insurance company wouldn't pay out – because the bike hadn't been locked in his garage – he came up with a plan. THE PHONE RANG AT QUELLA and Elliot pitched his intent “What if I provide some great photos of your new Varsity range and we work together on some Fixie art prints for the website, could we have a deal on a bike?'. A new partnership was born.
A brand-new chrome finished Varsity Imperial was dispatched and it was time to 'move on'. The old Nero had been great, but the Varsity was a step up. In Elliot’s words; 'This bike really is the business, I love riding it and the chrome frame gets comments every day. I am chuffed to be working with a brand like Quella on an on-going basis, and, as well as the general photography, we are going to partner on some limited edition, 'fixie themed', urban art prints, which is a really exciting project. Getting my bike nicked was a massive pain but every cloud...'
It all sounds like a happy ending, but if you are the grubby 'tea-leaf' that nicked a Quella Nero from outside The Prince Arthur, be very careful you don't get spotted riding it around anywhere near Elliot Jones. We have met him, he is a big lad who's definitely been around the block, I wouldn't fancy your chances.
Elliot's work can be seen at www.quellabicycle.com and on his own website www.photojones.co.uk.
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2 Wheel Gear | The brand that bikes to work
2 Wheel Gear was founded in Calgary, Canada with product manufactured using a borrowed sewing machine. 18 years later the brand is selling successfully throughout North America and has just landed in the UK for the first time as part of a partnership with Quella. The Fix finds out more:
Reid, thanks for talking to us, firstly tell us how a bike luggage brand from British Columbia ended up working with a UK fixie brand?
‘A good buddy of mine, Chris Ford, who is heavily involved in the Whistler mountain bike scene introduced me to Mike from Quella, having met him on a recent cat-skiing trip in Canada. We hit it off straight away and it was clear we had much in common, with a very similar ethos and a shared passion for cycling. Quella will make a perfect partner to support our entry into the UK and European market.
Tell us a bit about 2 Wheel Gear’s background?
The founder, Craig Coulombe worked in downtown Calgary as a geophysicist. His daily attire would typically include a starched white dress shirt and smart pants to the office but got fed up of pulling out a wrinkled set in the locker room following his morning trip to work. Ahead of the trend, Craig would regularly cycle to work, however, there were very few options to transport clothes. Backpacks made his back sweat and were uncomfortable. Panniers at that time were nothing more than open sacks for dumping everything in one place. He decided to make his own way. The first step was asking his mother-in-law if he could borrow her sewing machine!
What was the first product?
In 1999, a very rough looking Classic Bike Suit Bag was born, and It was the first garment bag that kept clothes pressed on their hangers and strapped to the bike rack. Craig knew he had created a new way to bike commute and teamed up with longtime University pal, Ken MacLean to start selling the bags. For years, the Classic was sewn one by one in Calgary and assembled with hand rivets to order.
When did you join the party?
I was brought in by the guys to manage the business in 2010 as a fresh-faced business graduate. I strongly believed in the movement that Ken and Craig had started and felt both the product and brand had a much greater market appeal than its current audience. It was quite low-key to start with, working mainly from my basement on the side of a full-time career. In the early days, a local delivery normally involved me taking an extra suit bag on my commute for delivery on my lunch-break.
When did things start to get serious?
We all agreed the business had great potential from day 1 but required a full-time commitment to be successful. In 2012, using my life savings, I purchased the company outright from Ken and Craig. It was tough to start with but in 2014 we had really broken into the North American market which is when I moved up to Vancouver.
In 2015, Two Wheel Gear started working with MEC, Canada’s largest and most trusted retailer of outdoor and cycling products. The focus is to create the very best bags in the world for professional business commuters and to keep pushing boundaries with bike commuting gear. Our focus is straightforward and simple. We want to make it extremely easy to bike to work.
We love some of the imagery and video you guys have done, how did that come about?
“What do you have there?” Was a common question at 7:30 am while changing in the men’s locker room in my corporate days.
Half or fully naked 40 somethings would always be asking me about my bike bag while towelling off in the men’s change room. I would be pulling my suit out of my Classic Garment Pannier and the bike commuters at the company had never seen anything like it before. I would often go into a full product demo while keeping my eyes up at shoulder height. These moments were the inspiration for our ‘locker room’ comedy footage that everyone loves.
We wanted a strong brand and knew that we wouldn’t create an impact unless the imagery was unique, and our videos generated attention. Our vision was to mix both style and humour across our social media platforms. We have created some great practical photography and video to help explain the product. They both work in different ways.
Finally, how do you see things developing in the UK?
I know that Quella work with some great distributors and they will use those contacts to give the product exposure through retail channels, as well as marketing the range on their website. A Quella bike with a 2 Wheel Gear garment pannier must be the perfect commuter combo! We aren’t expecting miracles, but we truly believe that the product is well-suited to the UK, particularly in the larger cities. If people are worried about the weather, you need to remember that we launched this product on the North-Pacific Coast of Western Canada, no one gets more rain than us!
Thanks Reid – we look forward to seeing you for a few beers in the UK soon.
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The Eroica Festival
L’Eroica is held on the Strade Bianche (white roads) of Tuscany. The term meaning heroism dates back to a bygone era when competitive riders would battle the elements on brutal cobbled surfaces compelling them to an iconic ‘god-like’ status. We talk to Gian Bohan, the founder of the Eroica festival in the UK, about this growing movement and his inspiration for creating an annual celebration of its existence within the heart of the Derbyshire countryside.
How long have you been involved in Eroica Britannia?
We are now in our 5th year of EB and I have been involved from the beginning. It was just an idea over a beer after having completed the Eroica event in Italy back in 2012. How was it and what made it so memorable? The Eroica event was totally different from anything else we had experienced in cycling. It was tough 220 km route which takes over 12 hours, on pre-1987 bicycles taking in the Strade Bianchi of Tuscany. There were food stops along the way, laden with local procure; cheeses, salamis, local soups and even the odd drop of wine. Not a gel in sight. Everyone had gone to such effort in their attire, not to mention the artistry in their facial grooming and of course there were some amazing bikes. The stars aligned and after a few years of doing the Italian event, we thought how incredible it would be if we could replicate such in the UK. How did you decide on a location? Our cycling backyard is the Peak District with our own version of the Strade Bianci, the old Monsal trail, High peak trails and amazing quaint villages. So the idea was born of Eroica Britannia. The villages and community welcomed the event as it was so different from the normal sportive of everyone racing through incredible scenery but not taking the time to enjoy and appreciate it.
Were you always interested in cycling heritage? Or, simply attracted by the opportunity to wear woollen shorts and grow a stylish moustache?
I was always attracted to having an adventure and an endeavour on a bike. When you add in being able to don a great outfit and drink Chianti and Beer, the battle of cycling on uneven, cobbled surfaces with unpadded attire becomes less daunting and frankly more enjoyable. My road into the cycling bug came from doing the Dallioglio Cycle slam for a few years riding around Europe for a few weeks. The odd drop of beer also passed our lips as you can imagine.
Tell us about your bike?
My collection continues to grow however my heart sways to an old rare Red Bianchi from Italy. I have to admit I’m not a tech geek, I just love my aesthetics and getting out where ever I lay my hat.
We noticed a number of Italian 'Eroicans' took part in the Paris-Roubaix when our Quella ambassador, the parathlete Garrett Turbett completed the sportive recently. They were riding old, heavy single speed bikes from the 20's and 30's which was impressive. Is this common?
You will see Eroican’s popping up to events all over the world. They’re an enthusiastic bunch of Italians and are unmissable due to their great retro kit, accessories and classic bikes.
What is a typical Eroica bike?
It has to be pre-1987, with gear levels on the down tube, no toe clips and brake cables arching gracefully over the handlebars. Riding an old bike is a whole new experience, add the gravel roads with a few lumps and bumps and it can get exhilarating.
What can visitors to Eroica Britannia expect?
When we were in concept stage we visited the Goodwood Revival and quickly thought let’s make EB the Goodwood of the biking world and created a 3-day festival. We’ve included Family rides, The Twilight ride – where there is a ride to the pub – and a plethora of music, entertainers, merchandise, food stalls, bike brands and we have even created our own Pub on site, The Britannia Arms!
Is it just for serious cyclists?
The great thing about EB is that it appeals to all generations. From cycling fanatics who want a real test and to experience the beauty of fatigue with the 100-mile route, to those who have only recently sat on a bike. Those wishing to have a more relaxed and indulgent affair can simply kick back and enjoy the vintage atmosphere.
A Single-Speed discussion with Tim Wiggins
Since a young age, Tim has always been interested in exploring the great outdoors. While doing so, he developed a real passion for cycling which led to the creation of his blog, ‘Life In The Saddle’. Following several years at Wiggle, Tim now showcases his challenges and adventures offering clear-cut, no-nonsense reviews. We speak to Tim about his love of single-speed bikes.
When was your passion for single-speeds born?
My love for riding a single speed bike stems back to my very first road bike. It was a 1992 Peugeot, and cost me £5 from a family friend; the brakes barely worked, the frame had rust damage, and the down-tube shifters were so worn-out that it constantly slipped back into the 42-10 gear, making it in effect a tough going single-speed bike. I still loved every minute of riding it. It was simplistic freedom, providing the ability to explore new roads and even new countries.
Do you still have the old Peugeot?
The Peugeot still sits in my garden shed; I am too sentimental to get rid of it. I have mostly been astride geared bikes for the last 10 years though; racing and riding endurance events and challenges all over Europe.
Tell us a bit more about some of these adventures?
3000 kilometres from Copenhagen to Andorra via the Alps was my most recent 'Big Ride'; the #7Countries7Passes was an unsupported epic exploration of the Continent. The thing is, riding bikes shouldn't be complicated. It is one of the nicest things about endurance bicycle touring; there is little to do except get up, ride your bike, eat, camp, sleep, and then repeat; you become a nomad disconnected from the busy junctions of everyday life.
These tours sound immense, but where do single-speeds fit in?
Single speed riding is equally simplistic in nature. It is bike riding as an art form, without the mathematic considerations of power output, timed efforts, aerodynamics or suspension pressure. That is not to say that single speed riding can't be hard work. Living on the Isle of Wight it is quite easy to rack up 2,000+ metres of elevation on a 4-5 hour weekend ride. Try doing that solely in the 42-16 gear, and your legs will be looking straight at the sofa when you return home. Single speed riding in this sense is an escape from the complicated: to the simple realm of one gear, one idea, and no choice but to grunt your way up the steepest of hills.
It sounds like your single-speed is the n+1 cycle in your collection?
There are still times when gears are essential. Riding for 28 hours, 400 miles across Europe: non-stop through Flanders, the Ardennes, and the Black Forest, on the #BlackForest400, would not have been sensible on a single speed bike. Returning home though, with battered legs and a tired mind; wanting to do nothing more than spin down to the harbour for an ice cream; then, the Quella Varsity was an easy choice. Spin the legs; feel the Zen. A single-speed should be a part of everyone’s collection.
Can you sum up a single-speed?
So for me, single speed is about a contrast. A connection with cycling's roots, and a chance to just spin without the considerations and calculations of endurance races and challenges. You can ride short or long; fast or slow, but you can only ride in one gear, and that is all you have to do. I love my Quella Varsity Cambridge. Her baby blue frame and classic chestnut tyres has continued my fondness of the single gear. The working brakes, real flip-flop hub, and the shiny chrome finishing kit only add to the romance…
MASTER WHEEL BUILDER | PETE MATTHEWS
In the good old days, wheels were as personal as a tailored suit. You bought them made on site at the shop you purchased your bike from and, if you raced, you had a pair of race wheels made by the local expert. When Quella Ambassador Garrett Turbett took on the Paris-Roubaix challenge he had one request, “Can I use custom wheels built by Pete Matthews to manage the 56km of cobbles?”
Pete Matthews is based in North Liverpool and is well-known as a master wheel builder. A racing legend in the North West, Pete has won more than 300 races in a 52-year amateur career and 20 national titles – including Amateur National Road Race Champion in 1968.
Through our friends at Spin Cycling Magazine we share their intimate conversation with Pete at his workshop in his hometown of Liverpool.
Why did you start wheel building?
It was a necessity. I’ve always done my own repairs. I started building my own bikes at the age of 14. Almost as soon as I started racing in 1960, I had to start building my own wheels as I was having problems with local shop bought wheels.
What was available in the early 1960s wheel-wise?
It was always pretty restricted in terms of hubs and rims. The serious racing bike shops did Campagnolo hubs with Fiamme rims and 99% of people used those. They were 36 spoke pairs or 32/40 pairs. Wheels did go as low as 28 spoke wheels – but they were seen as time trial wheels. They wouldn’t stay true for jumping about in races. I was only a junior and eight-stone soaking wet. I thought ‘I can get away with a pair of 28’s’, so I ordered them. I remember riding a junior race on Holcombe and was in the break, came around a corner, kicked, and the back wheel disintegrated. One of the guys in the break, Dave Rostrum, who I’m still good mates with now after 50 years, said someone in the break shouted ‘Matthew’s got trouble’ and the whole break put the hammer down and left me. Out on the moors in the rain. That was the end of my 28’s.
So that’s when you taught yourself?
Well, I couldn’t get wheels fixed on a Saturday night down a shop, so I learnt to do it myself for Sunday morning racing. I made a few mistakes, but there you go. You learned. You were away racing all the time – down south, in Ireland and such like – so it gave you confidence if you could repair your own wheels and true them up. I became sort of a team mechanic, which set me in good stead when I set up the shop.
Then you went to work at Harry Quinn’s shop in Everton Valley?
That was in 1966. I learnt a lot from Harry. He taught me about fork and frame building and I started experimenting with 28 spoke wheels. People would say ‘You can’t use those for racing’ but the ones that I made were turning out fine even for big guys – racing and everything. But as I couldn’t convince everyone, I went further and started making 24 spokes wheels as well. 24 spoke wheels were the lowest spoke count production wheels in those days – only be used for time trial and the track. I wanted to explore the myth that you couldn’t use 24 spoke wheels and below for racing. The only way to do that was to build a pair. It was trial-and-error in one respect, as everyone wanted light alloy spoke nipples. These would sometimes break after three or four years, but people would bring the wheels back to be rebuilt and say they had still run true with a spoke gone, so I knew that I was on the right track. I rebuilt using brass nipples and off they went.
Who's been your most memorable client?
There have been many however one that stands out for me is Robert Millar.
We were racing in the Isle of Man in our respective races and he asked me to build some especially light wheels for climbing in the Tour. He used my wheels in the late 1980s until he retired. It led to commissions from other riders like Sean Yates, Sid Barras and, more recently, Jeremy Hunt, Michael Hutchinson and Wendy Houvenaghel. I’m still in touch now and again with Robert. He rides motorbikes these days.
What’s changed in wheel building since you started?
Lots, but the main principles and benefits of bespoke wheels remain. I make strong, light and easily repairable wheels. In the old days, any steel frame would take any weight. These days, with tighter tolerances, lighter metals and lug-less welds, more breaks are happening. Wheels are the same. Some of those carbon-spoked, carbon-rimmed wheels are a small fortune to repair – if you can repair them at all. There always been a fixation with equipment weight, but it’s become silly in recent years. I have guys coming to me for wheels saying ‘can you knock 50gms off them to match these production wheels that are £300 dearer’. These are sportive guys who could do with losing a stone or two, so it doesn’t make sense to me. I have a pair of carbon rims with razor spokes and I’ve snapped a couple of spokes myself – and I weigh nine stone. It’s to do with both the spokes and rims being very rigid, so something has to give. It’s all about compliance.
How does your wheel building service work. Is there a set range to choose from?
It’s totally bespoke. I take height and weight into consideration and also what tyres are to be used and we then have a chat about what the wheels are going to be used for: touring; TT; road racing; general training; hill climb; track; whatever. Age is a factor as well. I advise from there. Lee and I do bladed spokes, 16-32 spoke wheels, different colours. We still use Royce hubs and, with the fashion for black hubs these days, plenty of people seem to like the shiny Royce hubs better. We also have some carbon frames coming out of Italy now under my Pianni label, which can be built up with wheels to match. We are looking at making titanium frames in the future as well.
So can we have a pair of those nice blue rims with Royce hubs 18/24 for free?
No. But you can have a free cup of tea.
Pete and Lee Matthews can be reached at 0151 924 9311. Prices and wheels can be found at www.petematthews.com