A HEREFORD bike shop is struggling to re-stock their supply of cycles following a surge in sales while people were isolating at home.

Coombes Cycles, in Widemarsh Street, closed their doors for eight weeks to help protect staff when lockdown restrictions were enforced at the end of March.

Since re-opening the shop owner Mark Greenhill has been inundated with requests for bikes from people wanted to get out onto into the countryside on two wheels for exercise.

"Boris Johnson basically said that cycling was a safe form of exercise and combined with the nice weather, cycling took off," said Mr Greenhill

"In our first two weeks of opening we sold 15 bikes. We had people from Kent and Yorkshire emailing me after seeing bikes on the website that we previously had in stock but then sold out.

"It's on average two and a half or three weeks wait for a repair and new bikes we are being told six to eight weeks but realistically I think it's going to be Autumn."

With many bike shops experiencing a similar surge in custom it has led to a shortage at the distribution centres and manufacturers

"They (the suppliers) ran out of bikes early on in the lockdown and basically have run out of all 2020 models," added Mr Greenhill.

"The importers and manufacturers are trying to bring the 2021 models forward but that is going to be roughly Autumn by the time they get into stock.

"Everything that they have produced in 2020 within reason has sold out."

Climb On Bikes in Coningsby Street have also experienced a surge in customers but have been able to keep a supply of bikes.

"We have sold hundreds and hundreds of bikes," said staff member Jon Barnes.

"The whole country has a shortage of bikes. We have still got a fair few, but it's taking a lot longer to get them done (putting together ready for sale).

"The main distributor we get them from has sold four months worth of bikes in three weeks. So we are also stocking a few different brands to before.

"We have experienced a shortage but we're still able to sell them and get bikes in.

"We're busier than anything, but it's good to see so many people out there riding bikes."

Climb On Bikes are preparing to re-open their showroom after limiting the contact with their customers over the past few months.

"We have been running a click and collect service and people have also been bringing their bikes for repairs," added Mr Barnes.

"With people making appointments on the phone it has meant that we can keep socially distanced.

"We've encouraged people to ring up so we can get what they want ready for them.

"We've been a lot busier than normal and had a bigger turnover of bikes. "Customers haven't been able to test ride bikes as much as it's taking a week or two to get them in and built.

"We have sold practically everything on the shop floor so people haven't been able to test ride the bikes.

"The workshop has been so busy and we've also been repairing bikes for NHS staff and key workers to keep them on the road."