BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Currently trading online, Adventure Cycling Store CycleMiles is planning to open a store this summer in Hampshire, near Portsmouth.
CycleMiles is headed up by Miles Hutchings who worked in cycle retail as a mechanic before a long stint in local government. Now he is returning to his cycling retail roots after a cycle trip from Winchester to Muckle Flugga in the Shetland Isles two years ago. On the trip, Hutchings opted not to return to the public sector as a consultant but to create a ‘bricks and clicks’ cycle retail outfit.
In the process of setting up CycleMiles, Hutchings came across Free Parable Design Co at Taipei Cycle last year. He told BikeBiz: "I was looking for products and brands that perhaps the big UK importers hadn’t released yet, but were coming. I guess I was looking for a competitive advantage for when I started trading."
CycleMiles now imports, distributes and sells the Taipei Cycle 2012 iF Design Award-winning T2 lightweight single-wheel bicycle trailer and the complete range of monkii bottle cages and frame bags.
"I know I’m biased, but monkii drinks-cage and interchangeable frame-bag systems are fantastic and versatile products. A simple concept, superb designs, manufactured to very high standards in Taiwan. The monkii clip, monkii cage, monkii wedge and monkii mono are proving very popular with all types of cyclists, including Brompton and Strida owners.
"The T2 is a lightweight (3.6kg) bicycle trailer that is ready for on and off-road adventures. It can be fitted to 26-inch, 700c and 29er bikes, with 135mm quick release, Shimano Alfine or Rohloff TS hubs. Plus, as you would expect with such a premium product, CycleMiles carries the full range of spares for the T2."
Commenting on the future of the fledgling brand, Hutchings told BikeBiz: "After setting up the company, designing the CycleMiles brand and launching the first website and magazine adverts, we are just getting going. Setting up a new business, trading on-line and opening a new store is a mixture of excitement and anxiety in equal measures. I’ll be back at Taipei Cycle 2013 this year, working with Free Parable Design Co. and looking again for great new cycling products."
Hutchings also has plans for a cycle art gallery, which he will be developing in 2014.
CycleMiles is looking to speak to retailers interested in stocking the T2 trailer and monkii range of products. He’ll be at booth N0721 at Taipei Cycle 2013 or is contactable via www.cyclemiles.co.uk.
