Wednesday 10 May 2017

Gearing up for the Spin Cycling Festival - a creative alternative

We had the London Bike Show earlier this year - a large glitzy bonanza at the Excel Centre. Now we've got a more down-to-earth alternative taking place in the middle of London and showcasing a bit more of the urban, edgy side of biking than what you see at larger scale international events.

Spin Cycling Festival is coming to London this Friday (12th May) and will be representing at Kensington Olympia all weekend.

I also have a particular interest in the festival as I will be part of the panel for a discussion event run by the Adventure Syndicate, "Nothing to be afraid of." We will talk about overcoming fears of getting out and taking part in events or racing. I must say, I am looking forward to being involved, and seeing my fellow panel members - Jools Walker, Sarah Outen and Helen Lloyd - as well as Emily Chappell of the Adventure Syndicate.

As for the main festival, this will be an expanded version of last year's event, taking place in central London (Kensington Olympia). Now in its fifth year, the Spin Cycling Festival will have stands featuring state-of-the art technologies in clothing, accessories and bikes of interest to urban cyclists, single-speeders, BMX bikers, and weekend warrior roadies.

There'll be zones like the Art Hub and the Makers Lounge displaying various exhibits of cycling art and custom-made frames from independent bike aficionados.

The demo track will have an alternative twist too. Named the Day-night test track, visitors will be able to try out bikes and accessories, as per the name, in a simulated dark, night-time setting.

And when you want a break you can get refreshments from the Camden Town Brewery or the Volcano Coffee Works while following the action from the Giro d'Italia.

I wasn't able to go to last year's event, but I am looking foward to attending this weekend. I get the impression that it will be a bike show at a more human level than the other events. It could be like how the Cycle Show was 15-20 years ago, well before it became the massive scale event it is now at the National Exhibtion Centre. In those days the event was held at the Business Design Centre in Islington. I've always thought it's a shame we don't have that sort of event anymore. So a trip to the Spin Cycling Festival could be the event that fills that gap.

Looking forward to catching up with folks over there.

The Spin Cycling Festival: 12-14 May 2017, Kensington Olympia, London


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