Top tips for a Dry Saddle

If you cycle in Britain be prepared, be a boy scout, make sure your wet weather gear is to hand and is dry, make sure your shoes are sturdy and waterproof because as we all know Britain is a wet country.

A wet saddle is a forgone conclusion parking outside in Britain.

If you need to leave your bicycle out in the rain you know you’ll have a wet bum when you get back on your saddle.

Not only the inconvenience and slight humorous embarrassment of having a wet stain in a location that could suggest another type of incident the weather isn't helping your bike either. Water and steel mean rust, the longer your bike is left to get wet and dry the more likely your bike will rust and no matter how well intentioned we are constant oiling and protecting the bike with products isn't happening let’s be honest.

So what to do?

Well you could cover your bike everywhere you park it, carry a bicycle cover with you everywhere on the off chance of rain, and when it does rain we’ll you then have a wet cover to deal with, pack in your bag and take home to dry. The trusty old supermarket plastic bag can be a more convenient saddle cover but the rest of your bicycle will always be exposed.

Or

The more obvious idea is to park your bike indoors, let’s be honest there aren’t many covered cycle racks around so why not park your bike in one of our Cycle Hubs. Yes, they aren’t located everywhere but where they are located it seems silly not take advantage. A dry, indoor, secured space, well lit and with added extras you won’t find at your local on street bike rack like CCTV, bicycle pumps, some even have toilets.

Avoid the embarrassment of the British bicycle wet bum this year and sign up to use Russell's Bicycle Shed located in the City Centre and Meadowhall.

Meadowhall Hub connecting you to the rest of the country.

Meadowhall isn't just a shopping centre there is so much more to the area of Meadowhall than that. Our Cycle Hub is located at the junction of two National Cycle Network routes and is just steps away from rail, tram, bus and coach connections to places all over the country.

It opened in September 2023 and was opened by Ed Clancy the South Yorkshire Active Travel Commissioner.

Located Next to Platform 2 in The Meadowhall Interchange Car Park at the end of the Blackburn Valley Trail.

With bus prices increasing and a single fare from Ecclesfield to Sheffield City Centre costing £2.80 each way and a journey time of potentially 50+ mins have you considered using multi-modal travel?

It's a peaceful traffic free 16min cycle ride along the flat Blackburn Valley trail from Morrisons in Ecclesfield Park cycle right to the front door of our Cycle Hub and 5 minutes later (if you time it to perfection) you can be sat on a train on your way to Sheffield City Centre taking 9 mins and costing as little as £1.90.

Travelling each way

Time saved = 40+ minutes

Money saved = £1.80

Doing it 3 times a week each way:

Time saved = 120+ minutes

Money saved = £5.40

Doing it 3 times a week 48 weeks a year each way

Time Saved = 4 days

Money saved = £249.20

Even with the £5 per month cost of our high security hub included you can save nearly £190 per year.

If you drive well just imagine what you can save.

The driving journey takes about the same amount of time if the traffic is low but the cost savings go through the roof.

Cost of travel at 50p per mile over 6 miles = £3.00 each way.

Cost of parking in the City Centre if you get there early enough and grab a cheaper car parking space could be around £7.50 per day.

Notwithstanding the gym membership you can save a lot of time and money by mixing up your transport to work.

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The power of Active Travel and Public Transport is huge and it will make a massive difference to how you feel just try it, what have you got to loose. Click the banner below for more information.

What is Russell's Bicycle Club

For several years we’ve been offering Russell’s Bicycle Club to our customers. If you haven’t come across it yet and you are a regular rider it may be of interest to you.

So what is Russell’s Bicycle Club? It’s a cost efficient way of getting your bicycle serviced is the simplest answer. Basically, you pay a fixed monthly amount and every 6 months your bicycle gets a service provided by our experienced mechanics. But also any of those annoying little jobs that can’t quite wait until a service like break pad replacement and puncture repair are free of labour costs.

Why does that matter? Well essentially every time you use your bicycle it wears out a little bit. The more you use it the more it wears out. Every moving part on the bicycle, which is most of them, experiences a significant amount of wear and tear during a years worth of use. To make sure that wear and tear doesn’t result in a failure of a part while you are riding, which could be dangerous and painful, getting your bike regularly serviced is essential.

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I don’t have time to repair my bike so I don’t use it when it breaks. That’s where Russell’s Bicycle Club comes in. We know that fixing your bike is one of the last things you want to do after a long day at work, you have enough to do and you also need your rest time too. So that is why we try to set up workshops close to you, like in the City Centre where you may work. When your bike doesn’t feel just right as a Club member you can just drop it off and we’ll try to get it fixed and tuned ready for the end of the working day.

We are here to help you stay cycling and if you have a bicycle that is well maintained then you are more likely to choose that over the car to travel short distances or commute to work. Getting into the routine of little and often helps and by spreading the cost of bigger services it helps you to manage how much your bicycle costs to keep running.

Want to know more or to sign up click the banner below:

New Cycling Infrastructure

Have you tried some of the new cycling infrastructure that has been constructed between Kelham Island and the City?

Not unsurprisingly we’ve been using it quite a lot since it conveniently connects our two locations in Neepsend and the City Centre. If you don’t know where the route goes here is a short guide.

1. From our Neepsend Shop turn right to the junction of Rutland Road

2. Join the pavement at the crossing and turn nearly 180 degrees onto Neepsend lane.

3. Cycle along Neepsend Lane to Ball Street either turn off at Naomi’s Garden and ride along the river path or you can now ride along Lancaster Street which is now No Entry ‘Except Cycles’.

4. Cross the River Don on Ball Street which has been pedestrianised and made pretty by local community volunteers with planters and benches.

5. Turn Left onto Green Lane and follow passing the Grind Cafe and the Kelham Island Tavern on Russell Street (we had to mention Russell Street :-)

6. Near the junction with the Ring Road you’ll spot a cycle lane on the left which leads to a new controlled cycle crossing.

7. Cross the Ring Road on the new Cycle Crossing.

8. Passing the old brick furnace behind the Shakespeare Pub which is getting a bit of a spruce up.

9. Join the new cycle path along Gibraltar Street to the Dutch style Roundabout

10. Go around the new Dutch style Roundabout.

11. Head up West Bar along the segregated cycle path all the way to Townhead Street.

There are still a few things to be tweaked on the route but the more people who use it the quicker that will happen. We think it’s an absolutely amazing addition to Sheffield's cycle infrastructure and completes the route from Hillsborough and Oughtibridge all the way to town along Penistone Road.

There are still things being planned to make the route better along Penistone Road but it has created a fast, efficient and safe cycle route to town for many people.

The route between our shops also joins up so much potential with routes from Hillsborough and even Oughtibridge.

Sheffield is looking good for the future of cycling as transport for the city.

Here be Peregrines!

When we opened the City Centre Cycle Hub we noticed a strange thing happening and eagle eyed pedestrians walking passed the shop probably have seen this too: lots of dead birds on the pavement, not just dead but decapitated, barely recognisable apart from the wings and occasional head.

Now it could be considered a bit gory but we were intrigued to know what was happening so we started watching the building and amazingly one day we spot something perched on top of the Vita Student sign. Looking closer through a friend’s telescope we see a peregrine, like the ones that live in the bell tower of St George’s Church on Mappin Street.

This bird and it’s partner appear to be catching other birds bringing them to the sign to feast and then discarding the remains to the pavement below. It’s amazing to think this is happening right in the city centre of Sheffield and most of us wouldn’t know.

The Natural World is amazing and when given the opportunity to adapt it will.

If you visit the hub look out for the feathers a sure sign of a feast for the peregrine earlier.

Delivering in the snow

Even in the snow and icy conditions we have been out delivering office furniture on our cargo bike, it's difficult on side roads still and so the decision to ride on dual carriage ways was necessary. It helps that most drivers give you space but there are a few who don't and many who are trade people doing the same as us; working.

We aren't holding you up we aren't 'too slow' we are just doing a job in difficult conditions so if you drive, for work or commuting, think about whether it's the speed of the journey or the safety of the other road users, just ease off the accelerator and give at least 1.5m between you and the cyclist or pedestrian walking on the road because the paths are unsafe. This weather happens infrequently in Britain and everyone understands if you are a few seconds late because you did the right thing for your fellow worker and traveller.

Drive and ride safely.

Our Cycle Hubs - Your Questions Answered.

The response to our opening of the first network of Cycle Hubs in Sheffield has been amazing thank you all who have been positive and who have already signed up.

Quite rightly we’ve had a lot of questions about the hubs, the facilities and the pricing model in particular. So understanding that there will be other people out there who may have the same questions we thought we would try to answer as many as we can here.

Q. Will there be a space for me to park my bike?

We don’t guarantee a parking space but our hubs have lots of parking spaces for different types of bicycles and because they are managed when the places do start to get full we can find investment to expand them.

Sheffield City Centre Cycle Hub

Q. Can I park my fat tyre bike in the stands?

We try to provide different options for parking your bicycle so wherever possible we will offer two tier stands for standard bicycles and Sheffield Stands for those that may not fit in the two tier stands.

Q. Why can’t I just pay for a day visit?

We thought long and hard about pricing options and how it could be managed. We are a local company supporting the local community but to do that we have to have a consistency of cash flow throughout the year, by offering a smaller ad-hoc charge we may not be able to support you when the weather turns and the facilities may have to close thereby not providing any facility when you want it. We don’t believe our charges are exorbitant considering that a coffee on the high street now costs £3.50, a day bus ticket is £5.70 and a subscription to the Sheffield Tribune is £7.41 per month (paid annually at £89), and our facilities are managed with clean heated toilets, CCTV and lighting that all needs to be paid for whether you are using it daily or just occasionally. Our aim is to grow our network to make it more viable for you as a cyclist and provide facilities across the city whether you want to visit the or not you have that choice. We are not ruling out changes to our pricing model but we need to get established and grow our network before we implement any changes.

Q. Why is Sheffield Station different?

We used to manage Sheffield Station on behalf of EMT/EMR and we did that successfully for 10 years but their hub is part of their network and they decide how it is managed. At present the hub there uses a fob, on a computer system that is at least 20 years old, which can be passed around and used by anyone all for a one off fee, we feel our offer is much more secure, provides access to a local network not a national one and offers you piece of mind. You can also sign up on the day and have access to the hub in just a few minutes with no need to queue to buy a fob only to find out that they have run out.

Q. Where is the Meadowhall Hub

Our hub at Meadowhall is located in the car park behind the Railway Station next to platform 2. It is conveniently located at a junction in the National Cycle Network that links the route North to Ecclesfield with that of the route to Rotherham Town Centre and Sheffield City Centre. Trains and coaches from Meadowhall run to locations all over the country and it is only a 3 minute walk to the shopping centre.

Q. Some properties don’t allow e-bikes can I park mine here instead?

We are very happy to allow e-bikes to be parked in the hub. Although there has been lots of media about e-bike fires the risk of this is negligible.

Q. Do you provide charging for e-bikes?

Unfortunately we do not provide the facility for e-bike charging, there are several reasons for this which include; how we charge for this service, how we manage the multitude of charging cables for different bikes and how we protect those from being used or taken by others in the hub, but also there is the issue of e-bike fires which means we can’t risk someone leaving their bike charging overnight unaccompanied.

Q. How much space is available for Cargo Bikes?

There are currently 10 spaces available for Cargo Bikes and Tricycles at the City Centre and one at the Meadowhall Hub; they are the Sheffield Stands located along the wall as you walk in the City Centre and the low level Sheffield Stand directly inside the door of the hub at Meadowhall. We intend to increase the number of available spaces for these types of bike as demand increases.

Q. What time is the workshop open?

Our workshop in the City Centre is currently open Thursday and Friday only 10am - 6pm. We are hoping to expand those hours as the weather gets better and demand increases.

Q. How do I lock my bike to the 2 tier stands?

Locking your bicycle to the 2 tier stands is simple and very secure. Below are a series of pictures showing how best to lock your bicycle using a D-Lock which we do recommend using. In these pictures you’ll note that there are two different D-Locks used.

Please do keep your questions coming we will try to answer them as best we can. We feel our network is a positive addition to the infrastructure of the city and will help more people see cycling as a viable option. We look forward to opening more facilities soon.

Well here is to 2024

It’s been a weird year, what started with us closing our Sheffield Station shop after serving the users there for 12 years and we end it with a new venture, a new beginning in the Sheffield City Centre Cycle Hub.

After 2 years of false starts and what seemed like someone somewhere just not wanting the hub to open it finally opened in November. This Hub is added to our hub at Meadowhall Railway Station and access to both is a small charge of £5 per month with no commitment of any period length.

2024 has been hard work, while waiting for the City Centre to open we saw a change of staff and we have been joined by Elliot who has been a star these last few months.

We grew our ebike conversion business partnering with Swytch and did some amazing Brompton Refurbs.

Our relationship with the railway industry grew with Northern Railways and shrunk with EMR but we can see a future there everything just needs to settle down with the new government and a dedicated plan for the future.

Our delivery service grew a little and we now transport everything from desk equipment and confidential files, to beer, cider and bananas in fact lots of bananas. In the last year alone we’ve done 2500km of deliveries and this has prevented 350kg of CO2 emissions being produced. We can only hope for more being done.

We want 2025 to be an awesome year and we can only do that by providing services you want to support so if you believe in better infrastructure for bicycles, more deliveries on ecargo bike and more reliable cost effective maintenance services for you and your bicycle then we want to hear from you because we want to support you to start, and keep riding.

So here is to 2024 and we are signing off, enjoy your Christmas, fingers crossed for a new bike, and we'll see you in the new year.

Sheffield City Centre Cycle Hub NOW OPEN

You may have seen the news, heard it on the grape vine, seen it on t’internet or via an email from our fair selves. Well we thought you’d enjoy a short tour if you wanted to know more.

First question, and it’s an obvious one to ask, is where the blooming hell is this marvellous cycle hub? Well that’s an easy one to answer, the map below shows you but if you are an old codger like me you’ll remember Telephone House in Charter Square and below that the nightclubs that existed, like Bar Matrix well its right there, the floors aren’t sticky and covered in spilt drinks and there isn’t a DJ anymore but the space has been skilfully repurposed to keep your bicycles secure.

 

Next on the list of obvious questions is what’s inside then? Well we have spaces for 140 bikes that includes 10 Cargo Bikes or Non-Standard bikes like Tricycles, there are 3 toilet/changing rooms, Cycle pump and soon to be a workshop offering repairs and servicing. In the new year there’ll even be bicycle hire available. Take a look at the photos below to give you an idea of what we have available.

A Welcoming Entrance

Automatic Doors

Exit with ease our Automatic Doors allow you to leave easily

Workshop

Coming in 2025

Community Noticeboard

Got something to say or want to promote things you think others will like.

Safe Lobby

Don’t forget to scan the BetterPoints app as you leave

Sheffield Stands

For no-standard bikes that won’t fit the two tier racks

Two-tier Racks

120 racks for standard bikes

Air is Free

Keep your tyres pumped up for a safe ride

Toilets

Big spaces suitable for changing too.

Toilets

Managed spaces kept clean and tidy

Meadowhall

Don’t forget your subscription includes the use of Meadowhall Hub too

With double sets of automatically opening doors, activated by a phone app, sign up and access takes as little as 5 mins and can be done on the day you want to use it, no need to buy a card or pass to access the hub, no need to book a space and wait for a confirmation, once you are signed up you can come and go as you please without having to extricate a card from your wallet or book in online before you arrive, its convenient and simple.

We’ve got CCTV covering the entrances and hub hub so that you feel secure, the access is controlled by the app and this means that only registered users can enter.

We manage the space so it’ll be kept clean and tidy, the toilets will always smell fresh and clean, when the workshop is open there’ll be a friendly person to talk to and if you find any problems we are here to fix them.

Now the burning question on everyones lips is how much does this fanciness cost? Well you’ll be surprised we are sure that all this costs just £5 per month, and it isn’t only for the City Centre Hub that £5 per month gets you access to our already active and popular Meadowhall Hub, and any other hub we open and manage anywhere in the city or wider afield. Pretty good eh?

It’s taken a little longer than we hoped to get this facility open and a lot of work but we feel we can offer you a facility that is well managed, secure, clean and tidy and ready for you to cycle into town or Meadowhall.

If you think this is something you’d want to make use of and benefit you in making use of your bicycle more, whatever the shape or size, then you can sign up here: