H2 cycle gym. Soho

Bad business idea... (i) Cyclists are cheap, the alternative is free (ii) No cyclist can be bothered going to the gym and then cycling 15 miles home.. Fact.

I'm not sure about that C2.. I'm not cheap.. I spend thousands on bike stuff. I know plenty of cyclists who use the gym and cycle (15 miles home). I'm willing to pay a fair price for a shower (don't have any at work) a locker, secure bike parking in Soho and spin classes to aid my training.

Just saying

i think c2's fully missed the plot about h2. i like this concept.

I'm willing to pay a fair price for a shower (don't have any at work) a locker, secure bike parking in Soho and spin classes to aid my training.

Exactly. Can all be done in some unused basement - relatively cheap rent, minimal startup costs, good potential to sell to businesses instead of individuals. Throw in a fresh towel every day and laundry service (at extra cost) and you're making some good return.

If I was a dragon, I'd be in for sure.

I'm not sure about that C2.. I'm not cheap.. I spend thousands on bike stuff. I know plenty of cyclists who use the gym and cycle (15 miles home). I'm willing to pay a fair price for a shower (don't have any at work) a locker, secure bike parking in Soho and spin classes to aid my training.

Just saying

Agreed - you only have to look at all the carbon monsters circling Regents Park (which is 2 mins from soho) to know that:
a) Cyclists are NOT cheap
b) There are a lot of people with very expensive bikes who would most likely like somewhere safe to lock them up and have a shower after morning laps.

^^.. Fuck mattty.. You are so right!

What's more, it's perfect in Soho - there are plenty of small-medium sized businesses within a half mile radius to make it work. Once you start looking at Canary Wharf (for example), the businesses are all too big - they will have their own underground parking and shower facilities. Square Mile might be workable, but you're already looking at quite large enterprises there already. Maybe do a collabo with Rapha for a premium-level epic clubroom featuring gritty black and white aspirational photography and fragrant Ventoux soap in the showers.

Kicking myself for not thinking of this first... :-/

fuckfuckfuckfuck.. I want in

emailing Simon Mottram

emailing Simon Mottram

Don't do it. I don't want to pay 60% more for a pink stripe on my membership card..

on the other hand.... 100% Merino towels...mm

This is solving for me-

-shitting myself about my bike locked up outside during the pre or post-work gym
-work not letting me put my bike inside and continue shitting during work
-lugging a massive pack of clothes around everyday

If the gym's actual free weights area isn't shite and underground locking is 24hr I'll cough up the pennies now before the permanent lockers disappear.

^ this

wow, great business idea!

Before Cyclefit was Cyclefit, they were called Bike Park. They had bike parking facilities on their (small) premises and if I'm not completely wrong, they had a shower, too. They were way ahead of their time then. It's good to see something like this being done on a larger scale. I wonder how high the percentage of cyclists using the gym in addition to riding a bike will be?

Why aren't they still doing it if it was such a good idea? Just asking.

I think they were before their time and didn't get enough custom (the critical mass is definitely there for it now). Their premises were also less than ideal for it. Perhaps the Cyclefit concept was just better for them. But I don't really know, as I almost never went there. Someone else on here might know.

In Holland there used to be a good few bit bike parks like this, valet parking sort of things. Could see the same working here for sure. Ideally companies would pay on behalf of their employees - much cheaper than buying space for and building their own bike parking and shower facilities.

Yes, that'll all develop quite naturally with more cyclists. In Central London, it'll even be far more lucrative than in the Netherlands.

Yeah, in Holland I just used to lock my bike where I pleased. Never more than 10 feet walk from wherever I was going. In London they'd get carted off, nicked or squashed by a van...

Although vandalism and theft did happen in NL too. I once saw some punks (proper ones, not trendies) walking along with a razor blade popping tires. Did I stop them? Did I buggery.

Yeah, in Holland I just used to lock my bike where I pleased. Never more than 10 feet walk from wherever I was going. In London they'd get carted off, nicked or squashed by a van...

They would be extremely unlikely to be carted off, pretty likely to get nicked, and very unlikely to get squashed by a van. The two unlikely ones obviously happen every once in a while, but as they are so rare tend to get over-reported. Curiously enough, there was huge under-reporting in the press of the problem of bike theft in London until we raised the issue to greater attention.

Quick update. FC manager is trying to negotiate an all inc deal, shower, change, bike park and daily locker (not inc long term locker rental) for £33 per month.. It's not a done deal but the price depends on getting a minimum of 15 people to sign up.. She don't care if they work with us or not.. So as and when the deal is agreed happy to offer it to forumgers.

Likey?

yep - I'm game.

also interested but want details on their gym facilities and bike security methods first. Don't fancy signing up and stepping into a gym with a load of spin bikes, one bench and 10kg dumbells. I sent an e-mail on exactly what kit they have but got no return.

Sorry to drudge up this thread but have you heard any more news regarding this gym Brave?

I just found out i'm starting work in Shaftesbury Avenue start of Jan and have been told there is a year long waiting list for the bike parking in my building and no showers.

I've forwarded details of this gym onto HR but if you heard anything sooner of a LFGSS group signup lemme know.

Good bump.. I'll chase my procurement bitch see what the fuck..