This week marks the end of an era in Glenrothes as the owners of a popular bike shop move on to pastures new.
Andy and Fiona Hain have had a significant role in a great many people’s lives over the last 40 years in and around the town.
Be it providing the bicycle on which youngsters first learned to ride, to the professional service, given to the many great successful amateur riders from across Fife, the couple have been there for every gear change and turn of the peddle.
Leslie Bike Shop, which they started back in 1981, has since become an institution, growing from its humble beginnings in Leslie High Street, to the large specialist retailer it is today.
However, tomorrow they will ring the cash till for the last time.
The couple will hand over the company to new owner Bryan Moodie and ride off into retirement.
“We’ve come a long way since that first little shop in Leslie all those years ago,” said Andy,62.
“I’d always been a fan of sport, particularly cycling, it just seemed logical to open a bike shop.”
Decision made and coupled with the customer service which has since become legendary, they needed a bigger shop just two years later.
Over the years Andy kept pace with changing trends and the huge growth in popularity for cycling, something Andy calls the ‘Chris Hoy effect’, to become the respected business it is today.
“It’s a whole different game these days, so much technology and skill required when it comes to repairs,” he said.
“We have always catered for every type of rider, be it the parent looking for a toddler’s first bike, to the £10,000 bikes right at the other end of the scale.
“Anyway, what could be more important that a child’s first bike?
“It’s one of the key moments in our lives, we all remember it.”
Asked what the most pleasurable part of the last 38 years, both say it was seeing the successive generations come through the door.
“We have two and three generations of the same family and that’s lovely,” said Fiona.
The couple now plan to spend their retirement riding rather than selling bikes.
“We will finally have time to get out and ride, we want to see much more of Scotland and do it on two wheels,” Andy said.
“Whatever you age, the sheer joy of riding a bike remains the same and that’ll do for us.”
Leslie Bike Shop will host a celebratory open day on Saturday at their Bankhead shop in Glenrothes from 10am to 5pm. All customers past and present welcome.
