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Editors Letter
Bikes are way more than transportation for the people who live here quoted by Peter, the owner of Brick Lane Bikes. And he couldnt have been more right... Taking a stroll in Shoreditch is like sitting in the front row at a bicycle fashion week: flashy customized bikes constantly rolling by on the paved runway. The people of Shoreditch never seem to get tired of thinking of new ways to spice up their bikes, the result in giving birth to never ending bicycle trends and tribes. In this issue, you can explore how to be a cyclist whilst leading a fashionable lifestyle, showing you how to ride with ultra style minus the lycra! Whether it be an elegant dress, or your skimpiest hot-pants! Check out the Ride Sally Ride editorial feature for inspiration! Second of all, we have found a whole host of budgetfriendly customizing tips, an insight into bike tribes that pedal through Brick Lane, as well as our favorite cycle destinations featured on page 11. So, After reading the first issue of Kickstand you will realize its not just about the bike you ride, but how you ride and where you ride it! Its a whole new lifestyle that must be explored and we are happy to be your guide. So, lets start the tour! (in Shoreditch, not Tour de France!) Editor-in-chief Hayley Somerville

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Contents
Page 10 Page 12 page 16 Page 18 Page 22 Page 24 Page 26 Page 36 Page 40 Page 42 Page 48 Page 50 Page 58 Page 60 Page 62 Ready Set Ride Look Mum No Hands Whe The Cycle Tribes Go To War Cycle Tribes Boris Bikes Bike Couriers Ride Sally Ride Brick Lane Bikes On Your Bike Boys And Their Toys Bike Of The Month Gear Up 21st Century Polo What A Feeling Music To Your Ears

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The Team
Editor-in-Chief

Liisa Ennuste

Graphic Editor

I like cycling with my boyfriend through the forest in estonia.

Hayley Somerville Fatima Niemogha

Assistant Editor

I live far from the city so I dont have a chance to cycle everyday but I when I do I can go out into the country side.

Features Editor

Bemi Shaw

That road between Marble Arch and Notting hill. That road goes on for ever and ever.

Wherever, whenever. I race a lot so I practice cycling all the time.

Rhiannon Wastell
Creative Director

Wheres your favourite cycling destination?

Production Manager
In Holland there are a lot of long cycle paths along the beach that are great to cycle on on a warm day.

Andrea Farias

I always cycle to the supermarket (If that counts.)

Fashion Director
UM. I dont really cyce. But if I did - where the Von Trapp children cycled in The Sound of Music, Actually, Id rather ride a motorcycle.

Natalya Xavier

Lynsay Hodges
Contributor
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Ready, Set, Ride.

These Shoreditch hotspots are perfectly accessible by bike and are a must see when in Shoreditch, theyre loved by the locals and sought after by the tourists. Get riding. Rokit Vintage: 101-107, Brick Lane. Affordable, wide range of vintage items, perfect for classic pieces or a unique buy. Vibe Bar: 91-95 Brick Lane. Chilled out daytime bar with a popular outdoors area, doubles up as a popular club 7 nights a week. The White Cube Gallery: 48 Hoxton Square. Modern art at its finest, full to the brim with up and coming artists work. The Book Club: 100 Leonard Street. Daytime eatery and night time hipster club. Full of guest dj sets, quirky club nights and T4 presenters The Breakfast Club: 2-4 Rufus Street. The tastiest food going, all american pancake goodness with a splash of british eccentricity.

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Look

No Hands
Andrea Farias
Riding bikes is not just a hobby, its a lifestyle, and no-one understands that better than the owners of Look Mum No Hands. Whether you need a drink, some bike repairs or just a chat with like minded cyclists, this cafe all that and more.
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At first glance, Look Mum No Hands! Just a short walk from Old Street Station it looks like just the typical trendy Shoreditch cafe. It has all the usual elements of a Shoreditch cafe: the work of upcoming artists hanging on the walls, the eclectic mix of cool new music and well known classics coming through the speakers, even the bare lightbulbs that hang from the ceiling. But this is a cafe like no other. It should not take long to notice the bikes adorning the windows or the dedicated bike parking in the courtyard. Next to the bar where normally you will find only the kitchen at other cafes there is instead a bicycle workshop where your broken bike can usually be repaired in less than a day. Take a closer look and you will see that almost everything in Look Mum No Hands! has been picked out for the discerning cyclist.

Mum

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This bike cafe is the brainchild of friends and bike aficionados Matt Harper, Lewin Chalkley and Sam Humpheson. We all love bikes and cycling. I do a lot of racing and mountain biking around London and south of England. In a few weeks Im travelling to Italy to cycle the last 8 miles of the Tour of Italy. Not in the race were just going to do it for fun. They saw the growing popularity of cycling as an opportunity to profit from their hobby. You can combine a cafe with almost everything so, I thought, why not combine it with a bike shop? said Matt Harper. With fixies and vintage bikes becoming a common sight, not just in Shoreditch but all around London, its surprising that this cafe catering to bike lovers has only just celebrated its first birthday. They choose to start a bike cafe not just to give exhausted cyclists place to rest and grab a snack, they need a place to screen bike races. You cant really watch racing on TV, its not like football. We wanted a place to watch the races and we knew a lot of other people who also wanted to watch them. If there is a race on you> can be sure it will be showing at Look Mum No Hands! but they also hold many other events. Its not surprising to hear that they host a cycle club that

meets at the cafe before training and stops by after to refuel and talk with like-minded bike lovers or that they hold static bicycle races in the back of the cafe. However, although Look Mum No Hands! may have been born because of racing, the owners of Look Mum No Hands! are also lovers of design. In March, they celebrated the launch of Cyclopedia by Michael Embacher. As the name suggests the book is a collection of the best bicycle designs over the past 90 years. It is an essential for every bike enthusiast. Just recently they teamed up with Shoreditch designers to create and exhibit limited edition bike bags for the cafe. They also have film screenings, new bicycle launches, panel discussions with racing celebrities and journalists such as Jack Thurston from Resonance FMs The Bike Show, and a knitting club. Even if your love of cycling doesnt come close to the bike obsessed owners, that doesnt matter at Look Mum No Hands!. The food is simple but delicious; much better than the regular corner cafe, but its the cakes and coffees that are their real specialty. We do have a lot of regulars but a lot of people just like the look of the cafe and come in for a drink. Theres a very relaxed atmosphere so you dont have to be into bikes to come here.

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Your guide to spotting the various cycling tribes of Shoreditch

With its abundance of cycling shops and cafes, not to mention the rows upon rows of bikes chained against gates, its not hard to see that Shoreditch is the area of London that takes cycling most seriously. However, to the untrained eye the streams of people pedalling along may all appear the same. Not so - in fact, Shoreditch is filled with tiny cracks in its cycling infrastructure, separating seemingly similar individuals off into their specific cycling tribes. Never fear, though, as with this guide even the most alien to the area will be able to discern which breed a particular specimen belongs to. BORIS BIKERS
One of the most varied groups in our list of Shoreditchs cyclists, Boris Bikers are less of a tribe and more a collective of individuals sharing both a common vehicle and mindset: to wage war on anyone or thing that dares to block their way, whether man, motor or pigeon. Bombing the wrong way up a one-way street, the Boris Biker allows cycling amateurs to take full advantage of the Mayors cost-efficient transport scheme. Too bad the only qualification needed to join the group is a reckless disregarded for your own or anyone elses personal safety.

WHEN THE CYCLE TRIBES GO Lynsay Hodges TO WAR

HOXTON HEROES
One of Shoreditchs most well known cyclist, the Hoxton Hero uses his apparatus as an extension of his personality to showcase to others just how cool and original he is. Invariably dressed as a lumberjack/fisherman hybrid, this particular breed of cyclist will be seen scuttling about the side streets of town on his fixie bike. Extra cool points will be awarded to him if the bike features a) a brightly coloured paintjob; b) no brakes or c) handlebars narrow enough to display his new knuckle tattoos to full effect.

SICKENINGLY BEAUTIFUL FEMALES

Ignoring the fact that long, flowing skirts are both impractical and uncomfortable to ride in, the Sickeningly Beautiful Female (or SBF) can be spotted floating along the roads of London on her vintage frame, stopping even the surliest commuter in their tracks with her saccharine smile. Opting for delicate pastel paintwork and either a wicker or wire basket suspended from the bikes handlebars, the SBF will use her bicycle to shuttle her new blooms home from Columbia Road flower market.

COURIERS
A puzzling set of people, bicycle Couriers isolate themselves from all other cycling tribes by their enthusiasm for eating, sleeping and breathing bicycles. Taking their hobbies to new extremes, the Courier earns a living shuttling letters and small packages between businesses throughout the city. Bracing the elements to make sure some corporate wankers memo gets to the other side of London on time might sound like the short straw to most non-cyclists (and many of those who do ride) but the Courier gets the last laugh, as he gets to do what he loves - riding freely and independently through one of the worlds most beautiful cities for a tidy sum at the end of the month.

MOUNTAINEERS
No one rides a mountain bike in Shoreditch the roads here are flatter than Fearne Cottons chest.

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NAME: Gemma AGE: 25 PROFFESSION: Freelance Textile Designer. Type of Bike: Vintage run-about It reminds me of a ladies chopper! its small and light but its only really good for short distances, which suits me! Favourite Accessory: My bell. But im thinking of investing in a basket. My bike definetly needs a basket! Favourite Song: I shouldnt really listen to my music, im distracted too easily! but if i had to choose, continuous podcasts are always really good.

NAME: Roberta AGE: 25 PROFFESSION: Architect Type of Bike: Raliegh Flyer. Its fast and cheap! its my main form of transport to get me all over London. I will never be seen on public transport.

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Street Style

Favourite Accessory: Just as long as i I have my bike i dont need any accessories. Favourite Song: Im obsessed with listening to softcycle when im cycling, it gives me energy!
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Name: Zara Age: 33 Proffession: Unemployed

My favourite accessory had to be my basket, its filled with all my crap. But then again my bell does make a nice sound.

I ride Bronx bike, the model was called sit up and beg it sounds fucking rank but i had to have it! because of the possitioning of the handle bars you get a much better view when youre cycling.

I get a lot of road rage, so listening to music calms me down. I usually listen to the Sleigh Bells Album.

Name: Frankie Age: 31 Proffession: Market analyst.

Above NAME: Sonni AGE: 23 PROFFESSION: Student Type Of Bike: Pacific Carry Me. Its only just been launched in the UK. Its a company in Taiwan called Folding Bikes Its so easy to carry around, its practical and can be folded down quickly. It makes my long journey to uni so much easier. Favourite Accessory: I love my new helmet. But i really want a big fat horn! Left NAME: Richard Age: 37 Proffession: fireman.

I ride a single speed, bike, Ive slightly customized it myself with new tyres and bits and bobs. I design and sell them so I got this on the cheap!
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I can only ride when im listening to my 80s love songs playlist!

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Type Of bike: I bought a bike that I had completely customized in Brick Lane Bikes - I love it! I picked some of the brightest colours, I have to stand out! Favourite Accessory: I have to have my Ipod when cycling - a bit of hiphop boosts my energy!

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Theyre multiplying every day, but are they actually any good?
When you think about what could be added to East London, the first thought is probably not more bicycles. Yet, that is exactly what has appeared over the last few months, due to the birth of the Barclays Boris Bikes. Row upon row of the bikes have sprung up to rival those of the local hipsters and prove that cycling in Shoreditch is now just as much about practicality as it is about looking cool.

Boris Bikes worth it?

Rhiannon Wastell

blossoming mode of transport. He said I really think the bikes are worth it, I use them about 2-3 times a week, mostly to get to university and to work. I do think they are good for tourists and stuff though, you can see different parts of London and you discover things you didnt know were there. We also wanted to know if he could dish any dirt on the bikes but all he had to say was that Theyre a bit heavy and could do with more gears but otherwise I love them, theyre changSo, are they worth it? They do seem to ing the way we get around and its really cool. be taking up a lot of space and are undeniably clunky but they are becoming a representative Shoreditch is full of up and coming young symbol of London itself, spreading the Shoreditch professionals, and if they approve then the future cycling bug to other parts of the city like wildfire. of the Boris bikes are in good hands. Plus with You can find the rows of gleaming Barclays bicycle culture in general being a major attracemblazoned bicycles pretty much anywhere tion of Shoreditch, with the constantly growing within Shoreditch, there are more than a fair array of bicycle repair shops, bicycle cafes and few around the trendy areas, including Hoxton the population of cyclists in general, it is beSquare, Pitfield Street and Old Street. Constant coming the only acceptable way to get around. users of the bikes should definitely buy an annual membership which is a huge bargain at only 45.00 a year plus 3.00 for a key, visitors and tourists on the other hand can choose to pay 1.00 for 24 hours which is more than a bargain. We asked Tom Williams, a UAL student and East London resident, his opinion on the

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Bemi Shaw

Bike Courier
The New Career?
Now, when I think of bike couriers my mind jumps straight to classic busy New York. The scene of traffic jams, and the humble bike courier whizzing through lanes like a dog on speed while the vehicle users beep their horns in heated frustration. However open your eyes and look at our busy city of London, is this image not a parallel description? 2010 saw its greatest rise of bike couriers and now in 2011 the numbers are still rising. But why is that? Personally being on my bike all day doesnt appeal (I leave my sweaty look for the gym where no one can see) but ordinary people, and people out for work have started to opt for bike couriering as a new occupation. But why the rise? People are looking for jobs in the least obvious places with the job market currently being so competitive (though we see them on a day to day journey you never think today I may become a bike courier) but why not? Its a great physical workout without the pain of actively doing anything but your job, its ultimate freedom if youre a passionate cyclist and finally its the perfect stress relief tool. We all know the feeling when we get on a bike the automatic nostalgia, its the sort of stress relief you pay an expensive psychiatrist to tell you, you need. So why not do it for a living? When I spoke to Shoreditch based bike courier Alex Dare he had this to say well biking is a passion of mine, and I couldnt think of a more perfect job for myself, though it can be stressful at times as soon as I get on my bike I can just focus on the cycle ride, Its a true head clearer. For students and people in between jobs, bike couriering has become an option for a new occupation. Flexible hours mean time to go to classes but also look for a sturdier job, for your typical Shoreditch coolest its the opportunity to look cool on your bike while making some cash, and if your really clever you can nurse your continuous hangovers while keep a level of professionalism since youll be out of the office most of the time. As with any careers though there are downsides. Most bike couriers have to take a physical test to insure they are fit enough as its a high impact job, so if youve been binging on the junk food for too long you may have to hit the gym first before you try for this career. In prolonged cases of bike couriering bad backs and spinal problems may occur as racing bikes are the choice of ride in this profession. And most importantly your competing for jobs with other couriers not only bikes but vehicles as well, so jobs can sometimes be scarce. But dont take my words for gospel, give it a go yourself. If your looking for a new career, you love biking or you simple want an excuse to buy yourself an expensive shiny new toy check out the couriering scene just be careful because if you cut me up and Im in my Vespa Im not stopping.

2011, the year of new starts but how about considering a new career path? Welcome to the world of bike couriering, competitive, fast paced and a-lot of Lycra.

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Ride Sally Ride

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Bright, bold, with bags of attitude, heres how to ride your bike in true Shoreditch style.

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Dress STYLIST OWN Shoes CONVERSE

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Hat URBAN OUTFITTERS Dress FRENCH CONNECTION lBelt TOPSHOP Boot ALL SAINTS

Jacket JUNYA WATANABE BY COMME DES GAR CONS Bra AMERICAN APPAREL Shorts TOPSHOP Necklace STYLIST OWN

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Dress RIVERISLAND Headband TOPSHOP

Jacket H&M Jeans CHEAP MONDAY Shoes STEVE MADDEN Glasses ROKIT

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Jumpsuit H&M Glasses STYLIST OWN Shoes THE KOOPLES

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Shop Profile
BY Liisa Ennuste
Tiny from the outside, but as you step your foot into this bike shop situated in the arty scene of Shoreditch, a whole new world opens up to you. Inside the store, you find yourself standing under a rainbow of all sorts of bike components. From bars to saddles and stems of all hues, the stores resembles a box of vivid crayons. Small, but so rich in everything. The first member of staff offering help was a guy named Peter. Hes italian and has worked in the shop for 3 months. He willingly agrees to give us an insight into Brick Lane Bikes shop. We step into the backyard to get away from the lively discussions taking place inside the shop. Peter finds a comfortable spot and starts off with an introduction in a sweet italian accent. Well, our shop specialises in fixed gear and single speed bikes and offers an infamous collection of vintage and classic bikes and components, which includes World Championship winning track bikes and NOS spares and parts. But most importantly, he adds we sell our own brand BLB(Brick Lane Bikes) and have over 400 shops across Europe. And the reason why people keep coming back here is also because we carry the widest variety of bike parts and components in all colours and sizes to give customers the maximum choice... Over 20 different hues of bars, stems, track cranksets and so on... he states in a proud manner. When talking numbers, one can buy a bike Brick Lane Bikes for 800-1300 pounds. Bike prices in London are definitely higher than in Amsterdam or Copenhagen for example, he compares the price variation among other bike-friendly cities. Bikes here might be rather expensive and fancier than in neighborhood shops, but they rep-

Brick Lane Bikes

resent a cyclist like a pair of Louboutin heels represent a woman. So, many of the customers dont buy a whole bike, but choose to customize it by their equisite taste. That is probably because most of the people, who live in this area, work in creative fields and belong to the fashion and art scene. To them bike is more than just transportation, it is an accessory. They definitely care more about what their bike looks like and put a lot of effort into designing it. In my opinion, people here live a bit ahead of time, which makes Shoreditch the place, where new trends are constantly born, explains Peter with his point of view. When I ask Peter, if he has noticed a connection between the fashion and bike trends, he doesnt even let me finish and cries out loud: Yes, yes! In fact they are pretty much the same! Some years ago neon bikes were a big thing in Shoreditch, but now people prefer clean pastel colours. That is exactly the same direction fashion has headed to. Although the bike trends are noticeable, Peter admits to love Shoreditch bicycle scene, because of its great variety. I myself live just down the road and ride my Japanese Vevalo bike every single day. That gives me a good overview of the bicycles on the street I might say that more exciting than riding, is to see how the creative locals have customized their bikes! Just after a quick glance at the traffic of central London, one can say that its quite a deathtrap to a cyclist. But what about Shoreditch? I think London itself is pretty hectic and not very bike-friendly, but as there are so many cyclists in Shoreditch, drivers have more respect to them.

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Q&A with the s t o r e o w n e r, F e ya

So, you are the owner of this shop... Yes, me and Janus. Im from Israel and hes from Poland. May I ask, what was your passion behind founding this shop? Well, it was mostly about Janus, he is very passionate about cycling. I cycle, too, though. We live in Dalston, so we cycle every day. What kind of a bike do You ride? I have a classic Italian single speed bike. Tell me why does your shop stand out from the other bicycle shops? First of all, our shop was the first one in London to sell fix wheel bikes. Right now theres a bicycle shop on every corner, but 4 years ago, when we founded this shop, we kind of started the trend here. So the bike trend has grown bigger and bigger since then? Definitely. Everyones riding a bike now... It wasnt used to be like that some years ago. Also, medias interest has grown in a few years. A lot of magazines have popped in to take some photos and write articles about our shop. I see your shop is very busy, but the staff speaks to the customers as if theyre old friends. Whats the key point here? We are a very big distributor, but every shop maintains a downto-earth mentality: some things have no price tag on them, so you need to ask from the staff. Also, we so sell some secondhand. People, who work in the shops are very easygoing and social, so although we have many shops all over Europe, when you step in one of them, it is all very laid back.

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cut sign that fashion is starting to take cycling seriously. To be honest, you only have to ask Vivienne Westwood, a long-time fan of pedal power. Or could it be just a novelty? the idea of reducing your carbon foot print to get around, however its definitely becoming the ultimate style statement for a growing number of people. But at the same time is it just a pretentious style choice for the eco warrior queen? Never the less the wicker basket and dinging bell is undoubtedly the most up and coming style choice this summer. Its not only what you wear on your bike that determines you level of cycling fashion consciousness, but also the kind of pedals your pedaling. The explosion of quirky vintage style bikes whether it is a vintage looking Pashley or an old granny style Raleigh. They are a lot easier on the eye than a clunky looking mountain bike or BMX, good for a slow leisurely ride. Imagine riding with your basket full of groceries and flowers and you can get an idea of the pace. Which therefore means you are a lot less inclined to reach for the dreaded lycra. In terms of what to actually wear,

the idea about fashionable cycling should come down to wearing your everyday clothes, dressing to suit your own individual style and personality, not actually dressing for the purpose of cycling - dressing as you would every day, in Louboutin heels if you like. Just anything but lycra.

Hayley Somerville

Have you ever considered the idea of adopting two wheels as your main mode of transport pedalling around the streets of London? But maybe the sheer thought of wearing Lycra and stretchy little shorts made you turn a blind eye Well think again as the vision for cyclists has become a whole lot more attractive. In case you were unaware, there is a twowheeled revolution taking place in the city of London, especially in the heart of the East End. But for some, the idea of dressing head to toe in the most unflattering neon spandex sports gear has been a complete turn off. Apart from the fact that safety can be an issue, the idea of becoming hot and sweaty or cramping your style and ruining your freshly blow dried hair with a stupid looking helmet also doesnt seem very appealing. Neither does the fact that you

On Your Bike
Where the Bike lane meets the Runway.

have turned up to work looking as if you were just about to cycle the tour de France. Hi-tech in the fabric department they may be, but in the design stakes, not so much and theyre not exactly every fashionistas dream, but fear not, as there is a way out of Gaudy, fluorescent, skin-tight Lycra and a yes to 21stcentury cycling chic. Take a look at Agyness Deyn for example, tootling around the neighborhoods of London and New York, looking just like a supermodel would when balanced on two outfit-matching wheels, Then theres Duffy, warbling as she pedals around in the Diet Coke TV advert. Cyclings not only greener more sustainable, cheap and healthy its officially the chic transport method. What with Chanel launching a ridiculous 6000 bike and Gucci following behind with a Beijing themed model, its a clear

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Boys and their toys

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Bike Of The Month

A little modest boutique that houses an eclectic selection of vintage items, from a 1920s art deco wallhung mirror to a pair of exquisitely embellished 1950s clip-on studs. Just stroll along Bethnal Green Road to the boutique, as this month Kickstand, on your behalf have spotted a pair of royal blue and emerald green Raleigh sport beauties and at affordable prices an astounding 98 each. You can always count on finding a quality-bargain in Shoredtich. Take the chance just to admire the robust beauty of the Raleigh sport originators of the late sixties and seventies on display. Mind you, they are only displayed on a weekly rota - so if you fancy yourself one of these, get in there and quick. Those of you that live a distance, never lose faith. Le Grenier never fails to provide you with a rich varied source of vintage wheelies guaranteed to keep you more than satisfied. Scour online and be quick to arrange a delivery.

Fatima Niemogha

1960s-70s Raleigh Sport Bicycles (Le Grenier).

Calling out to all you vintage devotees. We urge you to make a pit stop just outside Le Grenier, owned by a couple with equal passion for treasures of the past.
If you have a love for all things old and rusty with added character and charm then these sturdy and utterly reliable bicycles are just waiting for you to buy and ride them home. You see with these modern bikes they are bought for the design value but it stops there. the shop owner says, with much passion. Its approximately fifty years or so old and yet they still function, they are in good order. The same cant be said for these contemporary bikes. There you have it. Its out with the new and in with the old. The shop owner specially handpicks bicycles supplied at Le Greiner, by biddings at regional auctions and from local friends in the know, so he is never short in bringing customers anything less than the best of vintage. For more info visit the Le Grenier website at: www.le-grenier.com.

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Gear up
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Style and safety kicked up a notch...

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Twenty First Century Polo with a Twist

Fatima Niemogha
Polo of the twenty first century has just been injected with an uber-fresh lease of life, banishing all fatigued horses and eardrum-blasting fanfare. Meet the London Bike Polo team of North East London.
If you assumed polo was such an occasion only for the rich, the pretentious and the excuse needed for the uninspired poxy aristocrats to dress up in ill-fitting attire, so tight the poor satin-covered buttons on their garments cling on for dear life {think Katie Price} you assumed wrong. With the horses returned to the comfort of their stable cubicles to recover from yet another backbreaking task of tottering about their overindulged human riders, at the prestigious Asprey World Class Cup as of January earlier this year - the real poloists have been riding out at dusk to play regularly before then, and have been ever since. Some on their borrowed BMX bikes from PUSH, and others riding their own creations made up of spare parts - with their homemade mallets tucked underarm the discreet lot tap away at their handheld gadgets to agree on where to meet, greet and play. In the local area of Haggerston, East London, cornered off by Downham and Ufton road lies the empty playground area that still whispers the excitement and energy of the last game, just the evening before. Unlike the setting of the Aspery World Class Cup the London Bike Polo team of the North East alternatively play for themselves and the eyes of the locals, free of charge and though its a game of catch me if you can, catch them and you may even join (*on how to, see below). On one side of Downham are the rundown council estate buildings where the local kids can be found lingering about and the adjoining Ufton Road, a street so quiet only the rustling of tree leaves can be heard, aligned by uptown properties. London Bike Polo, closes the gap between the two sides of the young and the restless to form a united team both on and off court regardless of superficial wealth. Be a part of that community. Hop on a borrowed BMX with a homemade mallet and youre on your way. Catch the team play next at Hackney Downs, East London. Find out more on how to join or to keep track of their next few games, log on to the following website: http://londonbikepolo.wordpress.com/

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What a feeling

Cycling and music combined? Were definitely onto a winner.

Rhiannon Wastell
For many Shoreditch cyclists, culture in general is a huge part of everyday life. Just riding to work they encounter a massive variation of art, food and fashion and of course, the backbone of any modern day culture, music. The relation between cycling and music is that combined, they create the ultimate escapist experience, for now never mind the slight danger, just imagine cycling through East London on a beautiful summers day with the wind in your hair and your favourite album blaring through your headphones, there really is nothing better. Cycling, although a standard mode of transport, is not just about the process of putting foot to pedal and getting where you need to be. It is for some, a way to express frustration, Zara, a 33 year old Shoreditch resident quoted I love to listen to really angry music when Im cycling, it helps me to vent out my rage. I call it creative swearing. It seems that just about any genre of music can get people pedalling, whether its upbeat electro to energise, power ballads to put your all into or simply a bit of folk to relax to while youre having a casual day out, music is pretty much a necessity for a good bike ride. The whole appeal of music and cycling is the sense of freedom it creates. You can almost do a sort of mobile karaoke if you fancied it, because lets be honest, if youre screaming out Aerosmiths I dont want to miss a thing at the top of your lungs cycling full pelt and you get a few funny looks, who really cares? Youll be long gone, zoomed out of sight before they have time to even care. Music can help to focus the rider, bring more enjoyment into a possibly mundane activity, influence and inspire, and most importantly gives you a chance to experience another form of Shoreditchs famous culture whilst on the move.

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Musicgemsto someyour ears Some new and old classics to get

your wheels turning.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Metronomy On dancefloors Skream & Example Shot yourself in the foot again Passion Pit (Starsmith Remix feat. Ellie Goulding) Sleepyhead Death From Above 1979 Little Girl (MSTRKRFT Remix) Blur - Parklife Frank Ocean Songs for Women The Commitments Mustang Sally VV Brown Shark in the water (Blame Remix) Eagles of Death Metal Solid Gold Breakage - Fighting Fire Anita Ward Ring my bell

12. Empire Of The Sun - Swordfish Hotkiss Night

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