The Lakeland based bike shop DC Cycles has spun off a new web-based venture based on the owners' realisation that "women really aren't very well served by bike shops."
DC Cycles in Ulverston owned by Charis Drysdale and her mechanic husband Dave has been open two years and focusing mainly on Dave's workshop service and accessories. In fact, apart from some rather nice custom builds based on Niner frames, they don't even sell complete bikes.
With a wide range of Lake District visitors calling through, it didn't take Charis very long to work out from the appreciative comments from women cyclists that there's a whole market for clothing, obviously, but also the saddles, helmets and even tools that women appreciate. "It's funny," says Charis, "women say they want their own tools to be able to fix things but cannot even get the husbands to take them seriously, let alone boys in bike shops. They can ask me."
Charis - full name Isabella Charis - thought that Charisvelo wouldn't have quite the same ring to it and started her Izzivelo website quietly this week stocking Ana Nichoola - our writer Leonie reviewed the Her Pleasure Armwarmers here - Pearl Izumi, Castelli, Giro, Bionicon and Alchemy Goods with the intention of building up over time based on customer feedback.
Meanwhile, husbands could do a lot worse than checking out the Kooky n Kool section for Christmas. We're loving the Alchemy Goods Magnolia handbag made from recycled inner tubes that, according to Izzi - sorry, Charis - "Feels like soft leather the more you use it."
Details: izzivelo.com
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On Izzivelo: Alchemy Goods Magnolia Handbag made of recycled inner tubes £77.99
'Ingenious' ?!? ...
Sorry, but the BBC is definitely tilting towards cycling after the Panorama debacle....
Unlikely. Not once he hears that it'll 'help Gore'.
Indeed I did. I can only assume the Mr Onion allowed himself to be interviewed and dropped himself in it by not accepting the caution. A caution...
Remember your hiplock D1000 is only as good as the street furniture it is attached to.
I feel this person's problems may be a little more deep seated than not wanting to pay ulez (although their car is exempt).
Now very old news, but it still just doesn't take....
I am not sold on this - As mentioned, Sram has ok'd e.g. Pedro's chain checker which is more like a traditional tool. And those you can fit and get...
Kei vehicles here. Europe already has microcars of course (in fact there's at least one place in the US where they have quite a few really micro...
Let's hope that it makes other drivers think twice before attacking cyclists...