QF Focus Magazine
Page 23
Pat focuses on the faces behind our Local Businesses Gary & Lynn Routledge - Cyclogical Quesada
Gary and Lynn met in 2006 and by 2008 they had decided they wanted to do something different with their lives, so they left cold, wet and windy Elgin in the north of Scotland
and came to Spain. When he was a lad, Gary would pick up old bikes from skips and dumps and take them home to fix. By doing this he was able to take on an extra paper round as he could get around much quicker than when he walked. From those early days he enjoyed anything to do with bikes and went on to buy and sell 2nd hand bikes and motorbikes as a hobby. Gary was a butcher by trade, and also taught Karate in the evenings, but his passion was promoting people's health and well-being which he did when he became the manager of a large leisure centre. Due to the weather in Scotland this was mainly done in the gym, but he went out cycling whenever possible. Lynn worked in a bank for twenty five years and was desperate to leave and do something completely different. After arriving in 2008, they went to the cycle and repair shop in Quesada to buy bikes, and got talking to the owner who said he was going back to the UK. Gary said “I´ll buy the shop” and that was it. Instead of looking for work they were to become the owners of their very own shop. The shop was very small and only had a limited range of goods, and by 2011 they had outgrown
it and moved to the larger premises where they are now. As well as offering bike sales and a repair service, the shop now sells everything you could possibly need for any level of cycling from tyres to clothes and accessories. Bike rentals are also available, with 40 bikes for this purpose, and this side of the business is proving to be very popular especially with holiday makers. Many clients are now friends, having bought their first bikes at the shop, then returning to upgrade, and then joining the organised bike rides that Gary and Lynn run throughout the week. As Gary does all the repairs and alterations himself, he takes his bike ride groups after the shop has closed, so he often doesn't get home until late in the evening. The bike groups cater for all cyclists including a ladies group which is run by Lynn twice a week. While Gary is busy fixing bikes and teaching the young apprentice they employ, Lynn is busy in the shop doing the sales, rentals and the dreaded paperwork! A lot of their business is repeat business and recommendations from customers, and as they have now been trading for eight years, they must be doing something right...
They both agree that their work here isn't as stressful as it was in Scotland but it does have its moments. From working eighty hours a week before he came here to his forty hours a week now, I think that classes Gary as being semi-retired! See page 35 for Cyclogical's advert and their monthly editorial.
Chryselios
Bistro – Bar – Restaurant Now open under new ownership with Lisa & Brian.
Breakfasts served 10am - 12pm. Sandwiches, snacks and Lunch Menu served 12pm - 4pm. New cake selection available.
A la Carte evening menu served 6pm - 9pm. Daily specials available.
3 course Sunday Lunch served 1pm - 4pm just 12.95€. Booking essential.
Open Mon - Sat 10am - 11pm (Closed Tuesday). Kitchen open 10am - 4pm (Closed Tuesday) and Sunday 12pm - 7pm, Kitchen open 1pm - 4pm (Sunday Lunch only).
Quesada - Just off Avda de las Naciones (around corner from Spice Hut). Tel 966 719 331 or 693 544 034.
Find us on Tripadvisor - Chryselios Bar and Restaurant. Email
chryseliosbar.restaurant@
gmail.com.
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