Crediton's BEST Motorcycle & Bike Shop: Union Road Moto Velo!
Alright, let's talk about Union Road Moto Velo in Crediton. Forget the sterile, corporate jargon you usually get. This is gonna be… real. Okay, deep breath. Here goes.
Union Road Moto Velo: My Crediton Motorcycle Mecca? Maybe.
First off, let me just say, I'm obsessed with bikes. Always have been. The thrill of the open road, the smell of exhaust… yeah, I get it. So, when I heard about Union Road Moto Velo, I practically sprinted over there.
Accessibility (And My Own Bumbling Attempts):
Right, accessibility. Okay, so, physically, it's… well, it's a shop. It’s a slightly older building, so I, myself don't use a wheelchair as such, but I think it would be a tight squeeze in the main area, especially if there's a crowd. There's no ramp, which is a bummer. But you know what? The staff? Absolutely fantastic. I mean, genuinely helpful. If you needed help, I bet they'd bend over backwards to assist you. They strike me as that sort of place. So, while the building might not be perfect, the people are definitely aces.
(Side note: I totally almost tripped over a gleaming Triumph Speed Triple trying to get a better view of a vintage Norton Commando. Mortifying. But the guy behind the counter, he totally just chuckled and pointed out the oil stains on my jeans. Solidarity, brother.)
The Bike-y Bits: (Things to Do, Obviously!)
Look, this isn't a spa retreat. This is a motorcycle and bike shop. So, the "Things to Do" really revolve around bikes. Buying, browsing, drooling. They had a stunning display of retro helmets the last time I was there – almost bought one just for the display value. (The wife would murder me, of course.) They also had some cool leather jackets, that I could almost afford…
The Cleanliness (And My Inner Germaphobe):
Okay, I’m a little bit… ahem… particular about cleanliness. I’m one of those people who squirts hand sanitizer after I’ve washed my hands. So, I was watching for this. The place? Clean. No dust bunnies lurking in the shadows. Things seemed well cared for. I observed no obvious signs of apocalyptic levels of grime. And, hey, I saw hand sanitizer dispensers strategically placed. Points.
(Okay, embarrassing confession: I did sneak a peek at the staff’s hands. Don't judge me! They looked clean. And happy. Weird, right?)
Dining, Drinking, Snack-y Things (Or Lack Thereof):
Um… It’s a shop. No restaurant. No bar. No coffee shop. There was a vending machine, but I wouldn’t trust it not to give you a dodgy sausage roll. So, pack a snack. Or, prepare for a post-bike shop burger run. I’m thinking the latter is probably what you'd need to do.
Services and Conveniences (The Helpful Stuff):
- Air conditioning in public area: Likely not, it's a workshop! You're there for the bikes, not the climate control.
- Cash withdrawal: Nope.
- Concierge: Nope.
- Daily housekeeping: Nope.
- Elevator: Nope.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Mentioned above.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Kind of… helmets, bike care products, etc.
- Laundry service: Hah!
- Luggage storage: Absolutely not.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Are you kidding me?
- Safety deposit boxes: No.
- Smoking area: Probably outside, but I didn't see one.
- Terrace: Nope.
- Wi-Fi for special events: Ha!
- Xerox/fax in business center: Okay, you're definitely in the wrong place.
Okay, that all sounds negative, but it's a bike shop! The service itself is the convenience. They're helpful. They're knowledgeable. They want to help you get on the road. That's the service! The other stuff is just noise and clutter to what's important.
For the Kids (Or, Things That Would Bore Them Silly):
This is not really a kid-friendly zone. My own niece and nephew would be bored in 5 minutes (unless they wanted to spend all day watching bike videos or something… that's their thing, apparently.) No babysitting. No kids' meals. Basically, leave the sprogs at home… unless you’re trying to cultivate new bike fanatics!
Access (The Practicalities):
- CCTV in common areas: Probably. Security is important, even for bikes.
- Check-in/out: Not applicable. Its not a hotel.
- Exterior corridor: No!
- Fire extinguisher: Yes, hopefully! (Safety first, even for shiny machines.)
- Front desk [24-hour]: Nope.
- Hotel chain: Definitely not.
- Non-smoking rooms: Ha!
- Pets allowed: I imagine not, unless its a well-behaved dog, and you're just browsing.
- Proposal spot: Okay, that's stretching it.
- Room decorations: Nope.
- Safety/security feature: See above.
- Security [24-hour]: Nope.
- Smoke alarms: Hopefully.
- Soundproof rooms: Again… wrong place, buddy.
- Getting around: You're getting around on the bikes!
- Airport transfer: Seriously?
- Bicycle parking: Maybe. Ask.
- Car park [free of charge]: Usually, yes.
- Car park [on-site]: Yes.
- Car power charging station: Nope.
- Taxi service: Uh… you’re on your own with that one.
- Valet parking: No way.
Available in all rooms (If There WERE Rooms):
Well, this isn't a "hotel". It's a bike shop. So… none of those amenities!
The Verdict:
Union Road Moto Velo? Not perfect. It's a bike shop, not a luxury retreat! BUT it doesn't try to be. It's knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about bikes. That's what matters. And seriously, the staff are great. If you're a bike enthusiast, or even just vaguely interested, it's worth a visit. Just be prepared to spend some time drooling, and try not to spill oil on your jeans like I did! It's the kind of experience that reminds you that actual people still exist, who are passionate about their craft. And that's good .
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Pavillon Courmayeur's Unforgettable Italian Alps Getaway
Alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause we're about to dive headfirst into a Crediton Adventure, specifically around Union Road Moto Velo. This itinerary? Let's just say it's a suggestion… more of a… chaotic suggestion. Prepare for a rollercoaster, both of the literal and metaphorical variety.
Day 1: Arrival, Aspirations, and an Unexpected Flood of Chips
Morning (ish): Arrive in Crediton. "Arrive" is perhaps too strong a word. More like, wobble into Crediton. Train was late. Standard. Found the obligatory B&B – "The Old Dairy Dreams" (probably not dreaming of me, judging by the cobwebs). Checked in, fumbled with the ancient key (nearly locked myself IN the room, mortifying). First impressions? Charmingly dilapidated. Hoping the charm doesn't extend to the plumbing.
- Imperfection Alert: Forgot my toothbrush. Panic sets in. Retail therapy required to combat the morning's travel woes.
Afternoon: The plan – get to Moto Velo, scope out the scene. Maybe snag a cheeky coffee and pretend I know about bikes. Reality? Got distracted. The sheer quantity of pubs along Union Road… it’s almost a duty to investigate, right? Popped into the "Red Lion" for a quick pint. Ended up in a lengthy debate with a charmingly eccentric local about the merits of Triumph vs. BSA… I haven't ridden either, mind you. Felt like a right imposter, BUT got a free packet of crisps out of it. A win.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated joy at the crisps. Also, a sudden, intense craving for chips.
Late Afternoon: Chip Crisis & Crushing Disappointment: The chippy on the corner (can't be named for advertising purposes but, it's on the corner and smells amazing) was the focus of my existence by this point. Ordered a large portion. Sat on a bench, basking in the Devon sunshine, anticipating pure, fried potato bliss. Disaster. The chips… were lukewarm. And a bit soggy. Devastation. Utter, fried-potato-related despair. Nearly cried. This is when I started thinking whether traveling without my emotional support potato peeler (yes, it's a thing) was a good idea.
- Quirky Observation: The seagulls in Crediton are bold. I’m pretty sure one tried to steal a chip out of my hand. These birds are serious.
Evening: Moto Velo – The Reconnaissance: Finally, made it to Moto Velo. It's… impressive. The bikes… whoa. Actual drooling commenced. Met the owner (I think – it was all a bit of a blur after the chip debacle). Genuine enthusiasm radiated from them, which I appreciated. I pretended to know what was what, nodded a lot, and pointed at a beautiful vintage scrambler. Dreaming. Maybe. Someday.
- Messy Structure/Rambling: Seriously, though, the bikes. The gleam. The smell of… well, metal and possibility. It's like a siren song for anyone with a pulse and a slight addiction to shiny things. I spent an hour just… looking. Didn’t actually talk about buying anything. Maybe tomorrow, after I find a decent toothbrush.
Day 2: The Bike-y Bits, The Coffee Conundrum, and a Revelation (of Sorts)
Morning: Toothbrush Triumph & A Return to Moto Velo Managed to locate a pharmacy (hallelujah!). Toothbrush acquired. Crisis averted. Feeling slightly more human. Went back to Moto Velo, full of proper coffee and the joy of a clean mouth.
- Opinionated Language: The staff were incredibly helpful, even though I still barely knew my sprocket from my… uh… well, from anything else bike-related. They didn't judge my cluelessness. Total pros.
Mid-Morning: The Deep Dive - Learning the Lingo & Loving it. Spent the morning with a mechanic at Moto Velo. Got to see the workshop, listen to him chatting with the customers, even got to ask a lot of really dumb questions that were all met with patience and a smile.. I may have been mistaken but, I think he started to enjoy my curiosity. It wasn't just about bikes, it was about a community, and a passion of mechanical wonders.
- Doubling Down on Experience: I now know slightly more about motorcycles than I did yesterday. Learned about the difference between a carburetor and fuel injection. Also, learned the difference between a cafe racer and a scrambler. It took an hour, but I think I'm getting it. Maybe I can now pretend to be knowledgeable.
Lunch: The Coffee Conundrum Continues: The hunt for good coffee continues. Tried another local cafe. Mediocre. Am beginning to think decent coffee in Crediton is a myth. Am considering smuggling my French press in my luggage.
Afternoon: Exploring & Random Acts of Kindness: Walked around, exploring the town. Beautiful architecture. Found a lovely church. Suddenly felt slightly less cynical about life. Bought a scone. Delicious. The chip crisis is fading in my memory.
Evening: The Revelation – (Maybe, Just Maybe… I get the appeal). Back at Moto Velo. The bikes again! Spent a long time chatting and feeling a sense of community that I didn't think was possible. I get it – maybe, just maybe, I understand the whole motorcycle thing. It's not just about going fast, or looking cool. At this point it's more about the people, the community. Still have no intention of owning one though.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: Actually felt a tiny, little flicker of… excitement. Not for owning a bike (yet), but for the feeling of community, the shared passion, the whole damn vibe. Maybe this trip wasn’t such a disaster after all. Maybe I’m starting to love Crediton, despite the lukewarm chips.
Union Road Moto Velo: The Unofficial FAQ (Because Let's Be Real, They Probably Wouldn't Write This!)
1. So, Union Road Moto Velo... What *Actually* is it? Don't just give me the blurb.
2. What kind of stuff can they fix? 'Cause I’m not exactly a mechanic…
3. Okay, but are they expensive? Because my wallet is currently weeping.
4. What if I’m a complete beginner? Will they laugh at me? (I’m terrified of looking stupid).
5. Do they sell cool bikes? Like, really cool ones?
6. Okay, I'm sold. What’s the best thing about Union Road Moto Velo, in *your* opinion?
7. Any downsides? Gotta be, right? Nothing's perfect.
8. What about servicing a specific type of motorcycle or bike?
9. Any tips for visiting?
10. Okay, last question. Do you actually *recommend* Union Road?
