Detour Pit Stop #55: Bike Stop, Stevenage, UK
Photo Charlotte Vowden
On a quiet weekday afternoon, a steady flow of riders rock up at the Bike Stop. Some are there to browse, others know exactly what they want to buy, and most end up kicking back with a danish whirl and cup of coffee. The mood is undeniably chill. On an event day, it’s anything but.
Established in 1981, this unassuming motorcycle and scooter gear shop-cum-cafe in Hertfordshire is one of the most respected and well supported retail hubs and ride-out destinations in England – just don’t be fooled by first impressions. The Bike Stop’s grade II listed building looks titchy, but it’s a 3,000 sq ft labyrinth.
Stocking everything from jackets, helmets, suits and boots to maintenance kit and intercoms, owner Martin Brown has made sure everything a rider could possibly need (and a heck of a lot more that they’ll want) can be found within the seven ‘showrooms’ – and all budgets are catered for.
The staff, who ride a range of two wheelers, are so knowledgeable and good humoured you’ll feel as though you’re on the receiving end of a personal shopper experience. Disappointingly, when I visited, the life-size Guy Martin cardboard cutout wasn’t for sale.
Situated on the high street in Stevenage Old Town, the Bike Stop is roughly thirty miles north of London. If you’re rolling in from the capital, exit the A1 at junction 8. Open Tuesday to Sunday, it has a limited number of dedicated parking bays out front, but the team have got traffic management down to a fine art so they can guarantee a safe space to de-mount when special events attract riders en masse.
From workshops to demos, test rides and celebrity appearances – including Elspeth Beard – the Bike Stop’s calendar is full of reasons to make a repeat visit, and there’s often a competition with some top notch goodies up for grabs involved.
Celebrating its 40th birthday in 2021, the Bike Stop has even more reason to put on a bit of a show. For an idea of how good it can get, visit their Facebook page to see Dougie Lampkin perform motorcycle acrobatics over willing volunteers as they lie down on the pavement before he takes his bike for a tour through the store. Eek!
Words Charlotte Vowden Twitter | Instagram
Photography Charlotte Vowden
