Bike Hire/Loan in Manchester

a4annie

Hello,

I'm going to be in Manchester for the next couple of weeks for a work trip. I'm wondering if anybody here knows where I can get hold of a rental or loan bike for the time I'm there. At home I ride roadies but I'm really very happy with any 2-wheeled machine that goes.

I'll be staying at the Novotel, so somewhere central would be ideal. All suggestions/hints/tips for riding in Manchester welcome as well.

yours,
Annie

NFMC

Off the top of my head, I can't think of anywhere.

The best bet might be a place called Bicycle Doctor in Rusholme (about 5 mins drive/ride/bus journey or 25 mins walk - Rusholme is the curry mile with about 60 Indian restaurants and worth a visit in its own right).

They're a small independent co-op shop that's been around for ages. They sell bikes to students (they're bang in the middle of the biggest student population in the country) on the promise that they'll buy them back at the end of their study so they do something similar for a short stay???

Very friendly so worth a call anyway... http://www.bicycledoctor.co.uk/

In Rusholme is also Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op but I've never seen hire bikes there.

Obvious question...why don't you bring your bike with you and keep it in your hotel room?

NFMC

Oh...and tips for Manchester...not sure where you're from but it's a pretty good city for cycling in and around. It's not exactly second-nature to people but it's certainly not unusual. The city centre and the immediate area is pretty flat so you've got no killer hills unless you wanted to go 30/40 miles east or south to the Pennines or the Peak District.

Security's as much of an issue as in any city. There are loads of authorised 'Sheffield' stands pretty much everywhere and it's never hard to find a place that seems secure. I've been leaving my bike in Manchester locked up for over ten years and not had a problem. Had one pinched six months ago from the bike rack at my office but that was a very different issue.

Just realised that Harry Halls might be the very closest bike shop to your hotel. No more than five minutes. They sometimes do second-hand bikes. Never seen them do hire bikes but they may point you in the right direction.

http://www.harryhallcycles.co.uk/directory.asp

olr1

Annie, what size bike would you be looking for?

a4annie

Thanks for the advice!

NFMC - I will certainly check out those places (I'm from Melbourne, Australia, since you asked!)

olr1- I'm 170cm tall, and my non-compact roadie size is 52cm. However, as I said I'd be happy with anything that goes (as long as it isn't XL)

olr1

Ok Annie I think I can help you out.

What is the best way to get in contact with you, and what is the time difference?

I'm working on nights at the minute, so am currently wide awake..........

olr1

...you could check out the velodrome, which, given the seasonal weather we are currently having, might be just a little bit warmer and drier than the streets...

...you can also come out mountain biking if you really want the full gritty Northern experience...

Whatever, I'm sure I can find a bike for you to play on.