Yesterday I cycled into Leeds to meet publisher Ian Daley. We had such a good time I left my bike overnight in the Evans Cycles operated Cyclepoint at the train station. You can see where it says that just to the left of the bike, Operated by Evans Cycles.
Today I went back in mentally prepared for a wet and windy ride home. As I pushed my bike away, saying what a wonderful thing Cyclepoint was, I noticed my back wheel jamming in the brake blocks. Somehow during its time stored on the rack, the rim had got slightly bent, not badly, but enough to rule out riding towpaths.
I asked the Evans Cycles mechanic in the Cyclepoint workshop if he might be able to fix it.
‘Not before Tuesday, it’ll be fourteen quid plus any spokes.’
‘I need to ride home.’
‘You could try the shop.’
So I tried the Evans Cycles shop on Station approach.
‘Wednesday, we’re booked up solid ’til then.’
‘I need to cycle home.’
‘There’s nothing we can do.’
I asked whose responsibility the Evans Cycles operated Cyclepoint was.
‘It’s nothing to do with us, we just have a workshop in there, it’s run by Network Rail.’
That well known fixer of bikes, Network Rail.
At no time did any Evans staff come out from behind their tills and look at my wheel. So I took the train, past my stop to Ilkley and wheeled my bike into JD Cycles.
‘Whip it upstairs to the workshop. Shall I carry it for you?’
‘I’m fine.
‘Sure?’
I carried my hybrid up and one of the JD Cycles mechanics stopped what he was doing, hoiked my bike onto the stand, rolled the pedals, assessed the wobble, pinched the brake blocks, had the wheel off and clamped in a bench tool. Ten minutes and a new spoke later he said.
‘There, I’ve got you back on the road, tell them downstairs that’s a tenner.’
I went back downstairs and paid more. I was grateful so bought a little bag for under my saddle. Simon, who used to be my neighbour, left his till and fitted the straps for me.
So next time you are thinking how convenient Evans Cycles is on your way to or from work, don’t pop in and buy something, wait until the weekend and go to your local indie where you are treated not as an irritating interruption to the smooth running of their store, but as a fellow cyclist, mid-journey, who needs getting back on the road.
