Our January sale is continuining until 31st January 2010 so there is still time to grab a great bargain!

Great Savings:

• Cateye EL600 RC Lights £50.00 reduced from £74.99
• Cateye EL610 RC Lights £65.00 reduced from £100.00
• All Bontrager Tyres 50% off
• All Clothing at least 20% off
• 54cm S-Works Tarmac SL2 with Dura Ace 10sp Group and Mavic Carbon Cosmic Wheels ex demo now only £3,000 reduced from £5,500

Our January sale starts at 09:00am on Saturday 2nd January 2010.

• A minimum of 15% discount on all bikes and accessories not already discounted
• 3 for 2 offer available on clothing and accessories not already discounted.  Choose three items and receive the lowest priced item completely FREE!
• Special Bargain Room for those extra special sale items at extra silly prices

As the annual Christmas shopping frenzy reaches a peak, one Newcastle store has predicted that this year’s must-have, topping the lists for adults and children, could be an old favourite.

Joe Waugh of M. Steel Cycles in South Gosforth, has seen an interest in cycling build over the year, which could mean that a shiny new bicycle tops some individual’s Christmas lists for the first time since they were children. And for those who are eternally difficult to buy for, Joe thinks a bicycle could be the answer.

The appeal of cycling seems to have climbed steadily throughout 2009, judging by the shoppers coming through the doors at M. Steels and enquiries received via their website. Sales have risen throughout the year, and despite the recession biting, the annual summer sale saw an impressive rise on 2008 figures of 52 per cent.

“I think the rising interest in cycling has been fuelled by two key factors this year- the recession, which has meant that this economic way to complete short journeys has been particularly attractive to many, and the government’s ‘Change4life’ campaign raising awareness of the need to get active.” Joe explains.

A poll run on the M. Steels website confirms that since the advent of the Change4life initiative, 21% of respondents had taken up cycling as an activity they could easily incorporate into everyday life, with the aim of improving their overall health. Joe is keen to highlight this to those considering making changes in their own lives, but admits that he has a very specific preference about the type of bicycle to secure a space under the Christmas tree this year. Joe and all his staff want to see people out riding in the fresh air; a pastime which they feel has more to recommend it long term to newly motivated fitness fans.

“I can’t see much point to these indoor stationary cycles that seem to end up gathering dust and the whole family’s washing year in year out once they’ve been used once or twice. There’s just very little incentive to keep using them- pedalling on the spot is so boring!

“A bike that isn’t fixed to the floor is the gift that keeps on giving as, when used correctly, it improves your wealth and your health! You can cut your petrol costs by getting where you need to on shorter trips under your own power and there may be much easier, faster routes available to you that aren’t accessible by car. The whole family can cycle together and have a day out, and for those who get really bitten by the bug, there’s local clubs, racing groups to join and different disciplines to try. There’s something for everyone.”

With cost being a factor for many families this winter, Joe is anxious to reassure that the price of a bicycle can be very reasonable indeed.

“There are definitely cycles available to fit every budget- it all depends on what you are looking for. If you want top of the range that’s great, but it may come with some features you are never going to need if you are only cycling in your neighbourhood and not looking to compete. Like buying a car though, it’s worth investing as much as you can. Good quality bikes, correctly maintained, will go on for years. Imagine the savings to be made on gym memberships in that time frame!”
Finally, Joe offers a word of comfort for those whose families may not be getting the less than subtle hints and planning to gift wrap a new two-wheeled metal steed.  The annual office spirit of goodwill could be a useful alternative resource.

“In the spirit of the season, of course, maybe it’s time to remind your employer about the shared benefits of the Governments Cycle to Work Scheme.  They get a healthier workforce, the environment gets a break and you get to pool any Christmas pounds and get a tax-free bike with just a little involvement from them – direct them to www.cyclescheme.co.uk for all the details”.

Anyone looking to explore their options this Christmas, even if they aren’t sure exactly what their family member will be looking for, is invited to contact the store for advice. For more information call Joe on 0191 285 1251 or visit the website at www.msteelcycles.co.uk.

Hi, Joe Waugh here again!

We’re all feeling the pinch a little, aren’t we? My family and I have been making a few cut backs here and there at the moment, as have a lot of people I know. With the light at the end of the tunnel so far away, it looks we’re going to have to continue scrimping and saving where we can. I bet you can’t guess what my top tip for saving a bit of money is!

Those who read this blog every month will know I’m a self confessed cycling nut, but even I have neglected my bike a little bit in favour of the car in the past. With the ‘R-word’ looming, this has all had to change and I’m now cycling almost as much as I used to in the past. I’m feeling much better for it too! I’ve also managed to shed all of the weight I put on over Christmas, and more!  At least I’ve managed to find something positive out of this whole Credit Crunch debacle!

From chatting with some of our customers at M. Steel Cycles, I think quite a lot of people are blowing the dust off their bikes or looking to buy a new one to replace a few car journeys a week. As a fanatic, I’m obviously going to agree, though you’d be hard pushed not to see sense in their reasoning. Running a car can be so expensive. Tax, insurance, petrol, not to mention the money we have to fork out if something goes wrong with it – it can seem like there’s no end to the money that we shed for our four wheeled friend!

Public transport links in Newcastle are particularly good, with decent buses and trains as well as the Tyne and Wear Metro Service. Using public transport is another obvious way to save a few pennies. At M. Steel Cycles, we’ve just got a range of Brompton fold away bikes in stock which are perfect if you’re looking to combine cycling and public transport. These are the only bikes that are allowed on the Tyne and Wear Metro as they become so compact when you pack them away. They’re nifty little things and have almost cult following about them! We’re really happy to be stocking them as they add something completely different to the range of bikes we have at the shop.

I’ve mentioned it before but Cyclescheme is now more relevant than it ever has been. Cyclescheme allows you to get a tax free bike to use to ride to work. This can save you a pretty penny, as well as helping you to get fit and ease a bit of the traffic from the roads. The first step for companies who are interested in offering these discounted bikes to their staff need to register with Cyclescheme on their website, www.cyclescheme.co.uk. Then the staff members wanting a bike need to call into a shop, (preferably M. Steel), that runs the scheme. Once the bike they want is chosen, a voucher will be issued for you claim your bike. The price of the bike, minus the tax, will be deducted for the employee’s wages over a few months. You can use the bike immediately to ride to work and will all yours once the final payment as been made. There’s not been a better time so get on your bike, get fit and save a bit of money in the process!

We recently donated a bike to support the great work done by the doctors in the Northern Oesophago Gastric Unit at Newcastle’s RVI. The bike will be used to auction and raise future funds for the unit. Though many people may not realise it, Oesophageal (gullet) cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the highest incidence of this disease in the world is in the North East of England and Scotland. The unit was set up by Dr. S Michael Griffin MD FRCS in 1989 and is now the largest of its kind in Western Europe. Cure rates are improving as a result of research into this type of cancer so constant support is needed for them to carry on the great work they do. Newcastle’s RVI are a big supporter of Cyclescheme so it was fitting they should receive something back from us.

Until next time, happy riding!

The region’s premier cycling shop is encouraging the people of the North East to get on their bikes over the festive period and beyond.

Joe Waugh, owner of M. Steel Cycles in South Gosforth, Newcastle is advocating the many benefits of cycling - and says Christmas and the New Year is the perfect time to start.

“The build up to Christmas, the day itself and New Year can be particularly stressful and those of us prone to bouts of anxiety and depression can really suffer,” he said.

“Getting out in the fresh air can really lift your mood and reduce feelings of stress and negativity,” said Joe, himself an ex-competitive cyclist who represented Great Britain in the Olympics and brought back a Gold Medal after competing in the Commonwealth Games in 1982.

But the benefits don’t stop there.  During the festivities, most of us are renowned for a spot of over indulging in food and alcohol - resulting in weight gain and feelings of sluggishness.

“A Christmas or New Year dinner with all the trimmings can end up being a whopping 950 calories” said Joe.

“Whilst I don’t want to sound like a party pooper, I do want to encourage people to combine their partying with a spot of exercise.   Cycling is great fun and can burn up to 600 calories per hour - and at least that way people won’t feel so bad in the New Year,” he said.

M. Steel Cycles is a family run business which has a long standing reputation in the North East.  They stock a wide range of cycles and cycling accessories to suit all budgets.  To view their range of products or to read more of Joe Waugh’s cycling facts and figures visit www.msteelcycles.co.uk.

Joe Waugh here! I can remember watching the opening ceremony to the Olympic Games when I was eight years old. I think it must have been in my blood because I went on to compete in the Games twice. One issue which tarnishes many major sports events is that of performance enhancing drugs.

My initial thoughts when it comes to drugs in sport are, is it cheating and why do they do it? In the days when I was competing, I believed in the Olympic ideal, but many people didn’t. One of the main reasons I never went professional was the underworld of drugs.

Ironically, my hero was Tommy Simpson who died in July 1967 on the Mont Ventoux and was one of the first high profile casualties of drugs in sport. In a book that his nephew wrote he said that although he did take drugs, he wasn’t a cheat. He claimed everybody else in the race was also on some form of drugs and he was merely levelling the field. I guess he was saying, drugs don’t make a greyhound out of a cart horse.

When I participated, many of the competitors, including me, were amateurs. Now, there is a lot of money to be made in advertising and sponsorships and people will do whatever they can to accommodate this and earn the most. This can bring up the question, what is cheating? If the athlete who uses performance enhancing drugs is a cheat, is the athlete who has the money to spend millions on his bike and equipment to enhance his performance also a cheat? Conversely, if someone is born with better attributes, should they be put up on a pedestal above someone who dedicates themselves but falls short? The truth is - I don’t know the answer.

I applaud athletes who are dedicated, who train hard and perform to the best of their abilities whether they come first or last. I have as much admiration for the men and women who compete in tournaments the world over who put their all into it as I do the people who cycle the coast to coast or do a few miles with their mates on a weekend as a social event. It seems so much more honest to me.

The prevalence of drugs doesn’t affect my enjoyment of sports. As I always do, I’ll be watching the Beijing Olympics with a keen eye. It does, however, raise a few concerns. As a father and a former competitive sportsman, I wonder whether I would want my children chasing a dream in a place where drugs can be so rife. Another thing that bothers me is that whenever there is a great performance nowadays, you start to wonder if they’re taking something. It’s a really sad state of affairs as it could well be that there it was simply a fantastic performance.

Saying this, I still believe in the Olympics ideal. Watching the Games really brings back memories. They showed the dining hall for the competitors on the television the other day and reminded me of the dining halls in Montreal and Moscow when I competed. Even though there were hundreds of competitors of all various disciplines from all over the world, at that point no one person was more important than another. To me, that is what the Olympics should be about. What do you think? Let me know at shop@msteelcycles.co.uk.

In other news, we’re really looking forward to moving M Steel Cycles to its new premises next month. It’s been really busy but it’s starting to take shape and we can’t wait to move in. Until then, we’re selling off all the old stock at our current shop, so come have a look and have a chat! Check out our blog at www.msteelcycles.co.uk!

Until next month, happy and safe riding!

Hi everyone, Joe Waugh here.

How many of you drive to work everyday? What’s stopping you from hopping on a bike leaving your car in the drive everyday? If you haven’t got a bike, an excellent initiative is here to save you some money and get you riding to work!

The government initiative was put in place to tackle a number of issues which cycling may help to alleviate. It aims to get more bums on saddles by offering employees of company’s tax free cycles, saving you money and helping you to get fit.

So how does the scheme work? The employer first has to register with one of the companies who are putting the scheme into action. I recommend Cyclescheme (www.cyclescheme.co.uk), for reasons I will explain soon. You then need a written quote for the bike of your choice from a registered seller. The employer then needs to register the quote with Cyclescheme. Once the finance is sorted, a voucher is issued which can be exchanged for a bike. Your employer then deducts the price of your bike from wages, each month as a salary sacrifice. As your bike will be tax free, you can save up to 40% of the asking price!

It sounds complicated but it really isn’t! The staff at Cyclescheme are extremely helpful and will be able to help with any queries you have. They are one of the largest schemes to implement the initiative who support local, independent businesses, like my shop, M Steel Cycles. If you choose to use Cyclescheme, you have a wider choice of bikes and accessories and you’re not being constrained to the bikes the chain shops sell. There are many shops across the company who are supporting Cyclescheme, so check out their website for a full list. On top of that, you’ll also be helping support your local businesses, which is so important nowadays. Local shops are closing down everyday due to the larger conglomerates taking over which is a crying shame.

So why should you ride to work? There are plenty of reasons but I’m going to start with one which is no doubt affecting us all at the moment. With the costs of living going up, in particular the price of petrol, there is no better time to get cycling to work. When I fill up by car, I can spend between £50 and £70. The money you’ll save from just a few weeks of not paying as much for petrol will get you a really decent bike so there’s no excuse!

Cutting out a few car journeys a week will see you doing your bit for the environment as well as cutting down the traffic on the roads. You may even find your journey won’t take as long as you won’t be stuck in queues. The journey to work should be as relaxing as possible to help set you up for a stress free day at work. I can’t think of a better way to do this than leaving the main roads and using some of the cities excellent cycle paths to take a peaceful journey to the office everyday. Newcastle City Council and Sustrans produce maps of all the routes and cycles paths in the area which are excellent and freely available. As they say, a fit body means a fit mind getting in gear and active before work can help set you up for a productive and lively day!

If you’re interested in getting your employer signed up to the scheme, have a chat with them or your HR department. It doesn’t cost anything to sign up so you really can’t lose. The scheme works so well as a great camaraderie can emerge from all of the new cyclists; not only is cycling great exercise, it is extremely sociable.

Don’t take my word for it! According to Richard Grigsby of Cyclescheme, the enthusiasm for the scheme shows no signs of wavering. Many companies have already signed up and are enjoying the benefits of a tax free bike! These include the Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Trust, Sage Software Ltd., Barclays Bank, Trinity Mirror and Newcastle University!

As you may have guessed, I’m a huge fan of this initiative and Cyclescheme! If you want anymore information or want to chat about anything cycling related, pop into the shop or give me a call on 0191 2851251 or email shop@msteelcycles.co.uk. Check out Cyclescheme on the web at www.cyclescheme.co.uk.

Until next month, happy riding!