Finding myself in the Trossachs on a family holiday last week and luckily having the time to hire a bike for a few days, I reached out to an old friend, Mark Shimidzu.
Mark and his family run Wheels Cycling Centre, just outside Callander
With over 30 years of experience in the cycling industry it’s hard to imagine Wheels being unable to answer any cycling relating needs. Mark and his son Peter have a wealth of knowledge of bikes having repaired, hired and sold every type of bike you can imagine.
They are also Cytech qualified offering a range of servicing as well as more immediate repairs, should you come a cropper close by and manage to limp into the centre.
I hadn't seen Mark in a number of years but a friendly welcome is always on hand and I’ve popped in many times only to lose hours drinking Janet’s tea and eating her biscuits.
With a newly built bike center complete with workshop, sales room as well as toilets and a kitchen you’ll likely find yourself stopping for longer than planned.
Wheels have provided bike support to Rat Race events in the past and both Mark and Peter have great local biking knowledge of the area. Indispensable for those hiring bikes and looking to get the best out of their time in the area.
Legend also has it that Mark staged a cyclo-cross event in his and Janet’s back yard!
Road, MTB, Gravel / Cross Bikes and Hybrid's can all be hired from the hour with prices ranging from £10 - £20. Full day hire is from £20 to £40 depending on the bike you want.
Hire rates can be found here: http://www.scottish-cycling.com/hire.html
There's also free parking for customers - Bonus!
In addition to selling / hiring Scott, Trek, Focus and Cube Bikes, Wheels are also the Scottish Dealer for Van Raam. Recently they delivered four bikes to Erskine to enable some of our veterans the chance to get some exercise and to stay healthy. If you want to read a little bit more on these amazing bikes and mobility they can offer those with special needs, see below.
With Aberfoyle or "Gravelfoyle" seeing a deserved rise in popularity due to events such as the https://www.dukesweekender.com/ the chances are you may find yourself close to Wheels either on an MTB, a Road Bike or a Gravel Bike.
I hope you take the opportunity to stop by and say "Hi" to Mark and his family. You never know, you might end up with a cup of tea, a biscuit and some invaluable local trail / road knowledge!
Info:
Email: mark@wheelscyclingcentre.com
Tel: 01877 331100
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