How to get back on a bike

Summer holidays will soon be upon us and it’s a perfect time to dust off your bike and polish up your cycling skills. Traffic is quieter in the summer making a gentle commute to work or the shops even more pleasant. But if you don’t already have a bike what options are available to you in Dumfries?

Bring an old bike back to life

Your first stop might be to check your shed or ask family if they have a bike they’re not using any more. Make sure it’s the right fit for you though. If it’s been sitting around for a while it probably needs a once over by someone that knows the ins and outs of bikes. It may even benefit from a full service.

If your bike needs some TLC then there are two bike shops in town that offer service and repairs. DG2 Wheels and G&G Cycle Centre (Halfords only service bikes purchased from them).

Dumfries Community Workshop will be opening soon and we’ll be helping people that want to learn the skills needed to repair, restore and recycle bikes. We’ll also have a small range of restored bikes for sale.

Summerhill Community Centre also has a bike workshop and can offer free bikes to local residents and they have recently trained 4 people to Velotch Gold standard.

Buying a second-hand bike

You can get a second-hand bike on eBay etc, but Dumfries has a second hand bike project - The Bike Shed - where you can browse second-hand bikes online and pick them up from their storage at The Crichton. They also have monthly open days so you can go and “kick the tyres” as it were. One advantage of using the Bike Shed is that they also offer an after sales warranty.

The Bike Shed’s next open day is 10 June.

Buying a new bike

There are plenty of online retailers, but buying from a local bike shop means you’ll get good advice on the best fit for you and guaranteed after sales service.

You can purchase new bikes at a variety of prices from DG2 Wheels, G&G Cycle Centre and DG2 Wheels and Halfords. They’re all central and you can visit all 3 in an afternoon to get a better idea of the range of bikes that fit most budgets.

Hand Built Just for You

If you’re looking to invest in something built just for you or your company, Ariel Bikes, hand build custom e-bikes and e-cargo bikes just a few miles from Dumfries.

Now what?

Now you’ve got a functional bike, why not make it a social thing?

WWCT offers introductions to e-bikes and social rides during the week by experienced trainers. Bikes and helmets are provided if you need them.

Cycling Dumfries is a local campaign to improve cycling conditions in the area, but they also arrange non-competitive group rides at weekends and some evenings during the summer.

CTC Dumfries and Galloway offer longer road rides.

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If you’re interested in finding out more about volunteering and skill sharing at the Dumfries Community Workshop, stop by 7 Friars’ Vennel from 5.30 - 7.30pm on Thursday the 4th of June.

We’ll have an open day in June where you might find a bike to suit your budget. More details to follow.