A gronde day out

My eldest daughter starts school tomorrow and today was a day for a treat. A visit to Edinburgh to catch a show at the Fringe, a nice lunch and then some fun watching the street performers would be the makings of a great day out. So, how did we manage to find ourselves in Stockbridge, no 66-69 Hamilton Place? Funny that, a nice bike in the window, clean, simple graphics and a photo exhibition...My wife rolled her eyes, she'd been had! 


Ronde rondebike.com is a new 'cycle-cafe-culture' shop in Edinburgh. It is doing the same for cycling that Ex Deus machina deus.com.au and union motorcycles unionmotorcycle.com are doing for the motorcycle enthusiast. If you want a resin-rocket from ex deus et al, probably best to go elsewhere. As for Ronde, never mind the juxtaposition of lovely shiny new bikes and kit against old tiles - just walk down the street and visit Alpine Bikes. I used to work for Alpine in my student days and they where great times. Cheap Bontragers, beers after work and racing kid's bikes round the shop happened all too often. The manager, Alan (good guy) was never there, something to do with parenthood. My God, we where all to young and green to fully appreciate what that meant. The store in the shop was referred to Alan's back passage, you could imagine the look on a customers face when they asked where the latest and greatest unobtanium bars where? You guessed it - and usually shouted from the opposite end of the shop 'In Alan's back passage!' 


I'm not going to be hard on Alpine, they are catering for another market and it is encouraging that two shops selling bikes and kit are so close. Glasgow has something similar, off licenses. Where there is demand, there are shops. Surely this is a good sign for cycling and cyclesguff applaud Ronde and wish them all the best with the fantastic venture. I didn't have the chance to sample the coffee or cakes, but there could be a possible challenger for the Scone league. 

The contents of the bag will be the basis for another post. The pic was taken on the journey home, the passengers where asleep and the view was too good.


If you happen to have kids I would thoroughly recommend 'The Man Who Planted Trees' the puppet state theatre company's adaption of Jean Giono's classic tale.  


"laugh's, heartbreak, war, regeneration, scented breezes, sparkling wit, the best dog puppet ever. Perfect for children and grown-ups. Terrific." Guardian.  


The play starts with tales of barren landscapes, raging winds, intense summer heat and cruel winters. The description of the region and landscape in France was Provence. My wife's eyes rolled again, I could hear her mutter something about Mt Ventoux. 


Stay upright