Get Rolling – Free Bike Repair Sessions in North Brighton this April!
From April 9th throughout the month on Wednesdays and Saturdays, cycle technician Liam Thomas of Good Cycle, will be setting up shop on Moulsecoomb Place Lawn, offering free bike repairs, quick tune-ups, and hands-on maintenance lessons to locals. It’s a perfect opportunity to get your bike in top shape just in time for the cycle-friendly summer months ahead.
Two wheels – one love
Chatting with Liam over a coffee, you can tell right away – this guy lives and breathes bikes. His eyes sparkle when he talks about them, whether it’s reminiscing about childhood rides with his family, sharing his fondness for long cycle routes over the Downs, or discussing the job satisfaction of fixing up a knackered old bike and getting it rolling again.
But don’t be fooled by the cheesy old cliché “find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Liam puts in the hard graft. Rain or shine, he’s out there, repairing bikes and keeping Brighton’s cyclists on the move.
From hobby to career
Liam’s love for bikes started young. Growing up in Newhaven, cycling was both a family pastime and a way to escape the small-town boredom. “There wasn’t much to do, so getting out on my bike was the best thing,” he says. He explored Castle Hill, rode the South Downs, and relished the sense of freedom that came with having his own wheels.
By 16, he was fixing his own bike and helping out his mates with theirs. “Back then, you didn’t have the internet to research everything like you do now”, Liam recalls, ”…so it was just a process of figuring things out as I went.”
That problem-solving skill and passion soon turned into a job at a bike shop, and from there, he never looked back. “I tried other jobs, but nothing stuck. Eventually, I realised – why fight it? I love fixing bikes, so why not make it my career? I think I was about 22 or 23 when I made that decision. There wasn’t anything else I was as passionate about, so I just kept going and progressing.”
Liam’s expertise continued to grow over the years, and he is now accredited as a Cytech Level 3 Master Technician, one of the highest qualifications in the industry. His skills were also honed abroad, where he managed bike shops in Australia and worked on high-end racing bikes for world champion triathletes. “That was a totally different level of precision,” he explains. “We were fine-tuning everything, trying to save just a few watts of power. It was a great learning experience.”
Eventually, though, Sussex called him home. Back in Brighton, he continued working in bike shops before deciding to strike out with his own mobile cycle repair business Good Cycle, confident that the area’s vibrant cycling culture would support his next move:
“Brighton really advocates for cycling, and there’s a strong cycling community here. The infrastructure is improving, but it still has a way to go before it’s truly cycle-friendly. That said, because there are so many cyclists, there’s strength in numbers – it makes you feel more confident on the road.”
The community angle
Liam’s not just about fixing bikes – he’s passionate about empowering people to take care of their own. That’s why, at his pop-up sessions, he’ll not only be mending bikes but also offering lessons on basic maintenance. “The idea is that people learn a bit while I work on their bikes – how to keep them running smoothly and spot issues before they become big problems,” he explains.
Liam also loves the social aspect of his job: “I get to see regular faces, have great conversations, and wave to people as they pass by. And when I fix someone’s bike and they come back a month later telling me how much they’re enjoying it – that’s incredibly satisfying.”
However, it’s not all plain cycling in this game. “On the flip side, it’s quite weather-dependent”, admits Liam: “If it’s a miserable, rainy, windy day and I can’t set up, I start worrying – am I letting people down? Am I letting myself down? That can be a bit stressful. But I try to take it in stride and not get too bogged down by things I can’t control.”
Liam’s top tips
For local cyclists looking for a scenic escape without having to venture too far, Liam suggests heading up over Devil’s Dyke, looping towards the River Adur, and then cruising back down. “You get the big climb out the way first, and then it’s mostly flat or rolling hills. Plus, the villages around there are beautiful.”
And if you want to keep your bike roadworthy for longer? His number one tip is simple: clean it.
“It sounds basic, but it makes a massive difference. Dirt and grit grind away at your components like sandpaper. If you keep it clean, everything lasts longer. Once a month in winter, every few months in summer – it doesn’t take long, and it’ll save you money in the long run.”
Getting roadworthy this Spring
So whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or your bike’s been gathering dust in the shed all Winter, Liam’s free repair and maintenance sessions will help you get safely back in the saddle. Drop by Moulsecoomb Place Lawn, get your bike checked over, pick up some handy tips, and maybe even meet some kindred cycling spirits along the way.
Session details:
Free bike checks, repairs & maintenance tips with Liam Thomas, Moulsecoomb Place Lawn.
From April 9th, Every Wednesday 9:30am – 4pm, Every Saturday at the top of The Avenue, Bevendean 11am-3pm.