Bristol's latest cycle cafe: Roll for the Soul

Bristol's Roll for the Soul is a cycle cafe with a difference. Inspired by the local bike festival and bike project, its shiny exterior, according to founder Rob Wall, is a Trojan horse to get Bristol cycling - and keep it cycling. The city has already dug deep to help make it happen, with money from the community, council and crowdfunding, as well as Wall's life savings.

In RFTS Wall wanted a year-round hang-out for Bristolians, whether they cycle or not. Open since July, the place is already buzzing from office workers at lunch through to late in the evening, when MTBers, commuters, roadies and their friends meet to chat, attend launches, talks, exhibitions and film screenings.

"The crowdfunding was a really important exercise for us," says Wall. "We were 45 days in when we hit £12,000. It was just massively motivating that people were supportive enough to part with their cash when it was still a notion, so that spurred us on."

Everyone is welcome at RFTS

The significant remainder came from Wall and his wife's life savings, a £40,000 grant from the city council, and some individuals who just "wanted to see it happen".

One inspiration for the cafe was the Bristol Bike Festival, which Wall helped organise. The other inspiration was the Bristol Bike Project, where Wall volunteers to teach disadvantaged people to renovate a bike, which they then get to ride away.

He says: "It's just the most wonderful place to hang out; when you walk through the door everyone is equal and you just never have a bad time."

"The shiny exterior [of RFTS] is kind of a Trojan horse for getting the same ideas across to people

about reusing stuff and the social benefits of cycling, and promoting and supporting cycling in Bristol," says Wall.

The crowds at lunchtime and the evening are indicators of Wall's success. The location in the heart of Bristol, great vegetarian food, and the programme of events, from racing and film screenings to talks and skill-share sessions has helped.

The place offers low-cost space for community groups, but it's also where many of Bristol's cyclists - and non-cyclists - gravitate at the end of the day.

There's bespoke tuition in the workshop with the aim of demystifying bike maintenance as well as the usual services. However, says Wall, "I never want to fix someone's puncture twice. I'm very happy to do it but you're going to watch and learn!

"It's one of those challenges to try and appeal to all those audiences without being so middle of the road that you're not saying anything to anyone," he says. "Hopefully our customers are realising cycling's not just for weirdos in Lycra."

This article was first published in the January 2 issue of Cycling Weekly. Read Cycling Weekly magazine on the day of release where ever you are in the world International digital edition, UK digital edition. And if you like us, rate us!