We are delighted to have a number of like-minded partners for both the Great British Escapades and the Great British Divide. They each bring their own particular qualities and first class products to the events. In the main they are British, without exception they are all independent and fiercely passionate about what they do as well their love for all things cycling!
Their support of our events is tremendous and we are very grateful to them all – please do check them all out for anything you might need as well as all the things you just want!
CHIRU ENDURANCE BIKES
Founded by Pierre Arnaud le Magnan who has extensive experience in bike design and build as well as being a highly accomplished ultra-distance racer himself – think French Divide 1st Place finisher and Silk Road Mountain Race Podium finisher! Chiru bikes are created with endurance riding in mind and are absolutely perfect for these long distance events and we are thrilled to have them as our bike partner! Since seeing several Chiru’s during the French Divide one was on the wish-list and a 2020 Kegeti arrived in the early part of the year – it is truly awesome!
BICYCLE SERVICES CANTERBURY
In the heart of Canterbury and just 5 miles from the start is the premier bike workshop of the region. It is great to have them as one of our partners and to know there is a place for any last minute needs close to the start. This is where Kevin occasionally works and the owner of the shop have helped bring several custom build bikes to life for him.
THE INDEPENDENT PEDALER
The Independent Pedaler is our local Cycling Cafe and it is brilliant! Now in its third year of operation it is well established and always buzzing with a fantastic energy that is matched by superb coffee and excellent local food.
The owners also run a highly successful Time Trial Team from the cafe and have just completed an absolutely incredible year in 2019.
The Pedaler will be supporting Registration, the Rider Briefing and start on Thursday 17th September at the near-by Illeden Farm Right on the North Downs Way, this was always the perfect choice of location for us and we are so pleased this has come to fruition.
HAPPY BOTTOM BUM BUTTER
As the website says, this is the ‘World’s leading sports arse cream’ and we are inclined to agree! At GBD HQ we have used Bum Butter for years and it really is fab! We, and all the riders bottoms will be very happy indeed for the support of the legendary Charlie Hobbs and his equally legendary arse cream along the route!
K-LITE UK
When you know, you know….! kLite produces quite simply the best (in our opinion anyway) dynamo lighting and charging systems. Kevin has used these for a couple of years now over 25000 kilometres including the 2019 French Divide. It’s been flawless throughout, producing an epic amount of light when needed and ensuring anything that needs charging is always full of life. To really understand Kerry Staite and kLite though I urge you to listen to the Bikes or Death Podcast where he is a guest on a couple of episodes (listen to this one first) – incidentally if you are not listening to this podcast anyway you should be!
WIZARD WORKS
Born from a love of slow travel and bike adventures, Wizard Works is the hobby turned side hustle turned independent business of commuter turned tourer turned bike packer Harry Major. What started as a hobby during a particularly cold winter in Vancouver, Wizard Works came to life in his girlfriend’s family garage in New Zealand and is now permanently based back in Harry’s home town, London UK.
Wanting to inject some creativity into the world of bike bags, Wizard Works makes technical and well performing products while maintaining an aesthetic thats lies somewhere between timeless classic and 80’s rave. Wizard Works bags have been personally tested and refined over years of bike trips all over the world.
Harry is a proper Artisan producer of bike bags and luggage and they are tremendous! A custom frame bag, a pair of stem mounted feed bags and a tool roll can all be found on the race bike and we love them!
SCIMITAR
Scimitar are the go-to brand for custom sportswear, sublimation t-shirts and custom promotional items. They manufacture the highest quality custom sports wear for a huge variety of clubs, charities and sporting events including a number of products using fabrics made from recycled materials.
SQUIRT CYCLING PRODUCTS
Squirt is a unique chain lubricant – it contains waxes and water in emulsion form that stays clean, lasts long and extends drive train life. It is the perfect product for ultra-distance off-road cycling and is something we have used for quite some time.
We will have a supply of Squirt during the event for all the riders to keep your drive chain running smoothly.
PILGRIM CYCLES
Pilgrim Cycles are very kindly hosting the one and only Checkpoint on the North and South Downs Escapade. They are a small friendly independent bicycle shop and cafe based at Box Hill and Westhumble Station in the beautiful Surrey Hills. They specialise in touring and bikepacking and are and build their very own Pilgrim touring bikes.
MAP MY TRACKS
Map my Tracks will be providing the live tracking for the North and South Downs Escapade with their smartphone Endurance App. We are really excited to be able to use this and provide a ‘Dot Watching’ element to the event.
Millions of people around the world use Map My Tracks to track their outdoor activities and adventures, gain insight and share their special moments with others. Bike, run, hike or just heading out for a stroll… Map My Tracks is used to track every activities, extreme adventures and live experiences at events.
MORE TO COME…..
We are currently talking to a number of other appropriate businesses that are keen to be involved with the Great British Escapades and Great British Divide. We will keep this page and our social media channels updated as new partners join us.
GREAT BRITISH ESCAPADES 