Member Article

Challenging trail for Beddgelert Bikes

For local bike hire/adventure shop owners, Nik Joyce and Paul Inch, the lockdown period has certainly provided a bumpy ride, but they’ve beaten the odds by ‘pivoting’ their new business, 1085 Adventures, and taken their sales online.

Customers now have access 24/7 to their extensive product range.

“We sell quality products that are ultra-lightweight for bikepacking, backpacking and packrafting. Specialist brands include Apidura, Hyperlite Mountain Gear, MSR, Ortlieb, Granite, Lezyne, Exposure Lights, Real-Turmat, Hydro Flask and Therm-a-Rest,” explains Nik.

And despite the effect of Covid reducing Beddgelert’s tourist numbers, the villagers have rallied and Nik and Paul managed to successfully launch their new adventures store which offers guided rides, trail running, bike packing and bike rafting expeditions and appeals to walkers and hikers too - anyone with an adventurous streak.

“1085 Adventures is all about creating adventures and experiences. We sell everything but bikes and work closely with many other established businesses. Our store sells all the gear you need for any excursion, whether it’s a two-hour micro ride or an epic two-week expedition. From sleeping bags (with ethically-sourced down!) to protein bars and prints created by local photographers, there’s really something for everyone here - as long as you like the outdoors!”

Over the months, the business partners have been continually pedalling uphill to beat the odds. If launching their ‘outdoors’ business in lockdown wasn’t tough enough, Nik also survived a flood and freak storm - nothing has dampened her enthusiasm to pursue her childhood dream.

Last March Nik took ownership of the Beddgelert village bike hire shop, realising a lasting desire to settle in the Welsh village that she’d spent so much time holidaying in as a child. She now runs it jointly with her business partner, Paul, a qualified bike mechanic, a trained mountain bike leader and a passionate bikepacker and bikerafter who, in his spare time, volunteers for the Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team.

“Fate took hold after I found out that the village bike shop was up for sale,” says Nik. At the time, I was running my software business in Cheshire. I have always loved sport and in particular, biking and I’ve always been up for a challenge.”

“Deciding to relocate to Wales and run the shop has allowed me to indulge in another of my passions, which is to promote cycling for its positive mental health benefits; cycling is inclusive and it has a hugely beneficial impact on people’s wellness and wellbeing. Promoting cycling is my way of helping to support the community and the local NHS.”

“As soon as I had taken the plunge to relocate to Wales and began travelling back and forth to Beddgelert, I could feel the stresses of modern life disappearing each time I approached the village. It was absolutely the right decision to make.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Mac Watson .