From The Bike Station to Rome: The Story of Luke’s Epic Cycling Adventure

Every now and then, a moment happens one of our branches that feels a little bit like fate — and Luke’s visit was one of those.

He popped into The Bike Station looking for a reliable touring bike for a seriously ambitious trip: cycling from Heathrow to Rome. That’s right — Luke was doing this trip over 20 days, averaging a whopping 140km a day. An epic journey by anyone’s standards.

As luck would have it, Luke arrived at the perfect time. Craig, one of our talented mechanics, had just finished working his magic on a Dawes Audax — a classic touring bike built for exactly this kind of long-distance adventure. The bike hadn’t even made it onto the shop floor yet.

Craig had given the Audax an expert service and upgraded the groupset to a modern Shimano Sora 9-speed, ensuring smoother shifting and improved performance for all those kilometres ahead. With mudguards already fitted, two bottle cages, and a comfy Rolls saddle, it was more than ready to go.

And it gets better. Not only was the bike exactly Luke’s size, it was also well within his budget. That meant we had a little room to kit him out with the extras he needed for touring: a pre-loved pannier rack, a set of pannier bags, and a brand new Kryptonite D-lock — all included while staying within his original budget for just the bike.

Sometimes the stars align — and in this case, we like to think it’s because this Dawes was always meant for a big adventure.

We’re wishing Luke all the best on his tour and can’t wait to hear how it goes!

Feeling Inspired?

If Luke’s story has sparked your own wanderlust — whether you're dreaming of a local weekend ride or planning your own long-distance trip — we’d love to help you find the perfect bike. Whether you're new to cycling or a seasoned tourer, swing by our Gorgie or Perth branch and see what’s waiting for you. You never know — your next adventure could be just around the corner.