Shops / Shop of the Week
Shop of the Week: Pedal Progression
Pedal Progression isn’t your average bike shop. Cresting the hill at the top of the Ashton Court Estate you can just make it out, dwarfed by its surroundings. Good things come in small packages as the saying goes and this is no different. It’s the closest trail hub to a city centre in the UK and the enthusiasm and energy of the guys who run the place is something to behold.
Bikers through and through, co-owners Matt Legg-Bagg and Sam Fowler have created a haven for those who prefer the bumpier side of life on two wheels. Bike hire and coaching sessions are on offer alongside a healthy supply of parts, tyres, tools and kit.
Tyres, parts and tools are available at the compact Ashton Court shop, as well as a workshop
“Coaching is probably the thing we invest most in, so that we can become better coaches,” says Matt. Pedal Progression started out as a coaching company: after a couple of years coaching in Canada, Matt joined forces with Sam to try and do something similar in Bristol. Eventually they were spending so much time training riders that the executive decision was made to turn it into a full-time job. Bike hire and opening the shop helped to bolster the business.
is needed now More than ever
Bikes suitable for Ashton Court’s woodland trails are available for hire
To say it was destiny might be a bit clichéd. However, Matt recalls making bike jumps with his friends and setting up ‘Stunt Club’ in the cul-de-sac he lived in when he was seven. The kids even had cards – this was no amateur operation. Delving into his mum’s collection of homework from years gone by, Matt also discovered that he wrote, as a 14-year-old, that his future plan was ‘to own my own bike shop’. It’s strange how things work out sometimes.
The Stunt Club may have long since disbanded but the guys have now set up Little Rippers – a training programme for children aged between five and 14 years old. This and the new partnership with brand Islabikes, who make bikes specifically for children, means the next generation of riders is in good hands. “I love getting people into the sport from the ground up. It’s awesome,” says Matt. “It gives me a lot of pride.”
Coaching, bike hire and repairs are all on offer
It’s not just future stars who ride at Ashton Court and Leigh Woods though. “The oldest person we’ve coached was a guy in his 70s – it was a jump session,” says Matt. Olympians and top riders on the European and world stages are also using the Bristol loops to train. As well as this, Bristol Bike Fest is returning to Ashton Court on June 30 after a year off. “We always support those guys,” says Matt. “We think it’s a great event.”
The next step is to transition Pedal Progression into a community interest company (CIC). Matt says that this will allow Pedal Progression to create community around fundraising and trail building with the team taking on the responsibility, where the Council is struggling through funding cuts. “The trail are currently without sponsorship. It would be ideal to fund-raise to expand and maintain the trail network at Ashton Court,” he says.
Trail maintenance is important to Matt and Sam as riders
Pedal Progression is at the heart of Bristol’s “massive and thriving” mountain bike scene and, judging by the passion of Matt and Sam and the plans they have for the place, it shows no signs of hitting the brakes.
Pedal Progression, Ashton Court Golf and Cycle Hub, Abbots Leigh Road, BS8 3PX
www.pedalprogression.com
0117 973 1298
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