the bia hub
Bia
/'bee-(a)/
The Greek goddess of raw strength and power. The centre of your physical body. The power of i.
The Journey of The Bia Hub
In early March 2020, I signed the lease for a little building in Twyford, Berkshire. This was the beginning of The Bia Hub—my dream of creating a physical space that embodied the Bia community I had nurtured since 2016. The plan was simple: a space dedicated to all things cycling, where cyclists—especially women—could feel at home, get advice, meet friends, and make new connections.
But just ten days later, the world changed. The first lockdown hit, and suddenly, my dream felt precarious. Despite the challenges, I decided to press on, and on April 15, 2020—three weeks into the lockdown—The Bia Hub officially opened its doors.
Starting a new business in those circumstances was daunting. I didn’t have an established reputation in the industry, and supply chain issues made sourcing bikes, parts, and accessories a constant uphill battle, because suppliers weren’t taking on new accounts when they didn’t know that they could adequately service their existing customers. But with a lot of determination and perseverance, I started building relationships with distributors and gradually earned their trust. Slowly but surely, our offering broadened, and we started making our mark.
In August 2020, a major milestone came when we partnered with Fons Bikes, a women-specific brand inspired by Alfonsina Strada, the only woman to ride the Giro d’Italia. This collaboration felt like a perfect fit for The Bia Hub and our mission to empower women in cycling. This partnership later came to an end on the back of logistical difficulties associated with Brexit.
Over the years, The Bia Hub grew into much more than a bike shop. It became a community space—a place where people could gather, connect, and recharge. We added The Little Yoga Studio upstairs, offering a calm and inviting space for wellness, and the café downstairs became a favourite spot for both cyclists and locals.
By May 2023, we were proud to partner with iconic British brands like Vielo, ORRO and Reilly, known for their beautifully handcrafted titanium and carbon bikes. It felt good to offer something special—unique bikes with a focus on quality and craftsmanship, on top of being British brands.
But despite everything we achieved, the economic challenges were relentless. After much reflection, I made the difficult decision to close The Bia Hub, and we officially closed our doors at the end of October 2024.
Though the physical space is no more, Bia Cycling lives on. Our cycling club continues to thrive, and every time I ride with someone in a Bia jersey and hear their story, it reminds me of why I started this journey—to inspire confidence, build connections, and create a community where people feel empowered to achieve more than they thought possible.
The Bia Hub may have been a chapter that closed, but the spirit of Bia is still very much alive, and I’m endlessly grateful for everyone who was part of the journey.