onionbagblog

Published as part of the Hidden Kiosks project.

The Bike Guru Cafe Workshop is coming to Colchester as part of our latest innovative use of the social space down by the old bus station. The Hidden Kiosks are proud to welcome Matt – for he is the Bike Guru – for a highly enterprising project combining coffee and cycling.

This mix seems like the perfect approach for what we are trying to achieve at the Kiosks. We are keen for all of our partners to try and think of ways in which to use the space as a social gathering, as well as offering a local service that will benefit the people of Colchester.

Matt’s plans impressed the judges so much that we have offered him a three-month tenancy at the Kiosks. The Bike Guru Cafe Workshop will have a grand opening on 30th September, giving the Bike Guru a significant period in which to experiment and learn from his social idea, and then hopefully carry this through to a more permanent business base.

Matt has been trading around Wivenhoe and Colchester for a number of years now as The Bike Guru. He offers a mobile bicycle mechanic service, plus plenty of support in helping local folk to learn more about their bikes and how to make the most of cycling in our community.

It comes as no surprise to find out that Matt’s second passion is coffee. He has had an intensive crash course in the art of preparing the perfect cup. A traditional Italian coffee-making machine has been sourced, and soon the old bus station will add a continental aroma to the air.

Which is all perfect timing, with Matt’s new near neighbours at firstsite scheduled to open the doors of Colchester’s prestigious Visual Arts Facility a week ahead of The Bike Guru Cafe Workshop.

Matt also impressed us with his plans to use the space outside of the usual daytime schedule. This will be very much a social space, with cycling themed film evenings scheduled, as well as intimate performances from local bands.

Keep Colchester Cycling – the bike hire scheme for our area – will also find a base at Kiosks once the workshop is open. Matt is keen to set up a number of guided bikes rides around Colchester and the surrounds, to help local folk appreciate the benefits that a bicycle can bring.

There is currently a tremendous buzz about cycling in Colchester: the cycling status town has been a huge success, cycling champions are leading rides and enabling others to follow – we’ve even had the Tour of GB and the Halfords Tour Series bringing road racing to the streets of Colchester.

What has been missing to date is some form of central cycling hub that can hopefully unite all of this two-wheeled activity. The Bike Guru Cafe Workshop will be much more than a bike repair workshop and a place to sample the best coffee in Colchester.

Both activities are highly social – both will hopefully help to create a social space where ideas and future projects can be forged.

Please do join the Bike Guru for the grand opening at the Hidden Kiosks on 30th September.

Chapeau!