As part of a regular monthly feature supported by 2XU (www.2xu.co.uk), Tri247 is going to be going up and down the country introducing you to the shops and staff that work hard to give you access to lots of triathlon goodies! So, if you haven’t been to your local shop this is the ideal opportunity to find out a bit more about them and pop in and say hello!

This month we are in Braunton, North Devon meeting the guys and girls at Southfork Cycles

Southfork Cycles is one of the most specialist cycling and multi-sport shops in the South West. Located in Braunton, North Devon, it is a destination store but well worth the trip.

North Devon has great cycling, running and swimming locations with long sandy beaches and quiet roads.

The business was started in 2001 as a shop which can cater for everyone and it still has that village bike shop feel, but with some of the most specialist kit you can find.

The shop moved to larger premises in 2004 and has now just opened another location in an old surf wetsuit factory for all the bike fitting, power testing and features a ‘Scott’ concept store.

Fitness trainer and triathlon guru Joe Beer (jbst.com, powertestcentre.com) is based from that location for his practical coaching.

Joe is a tri coach and author of “Need to know triathlon” (Harper Collins). He supports us with his knowledge of bike fitting, Powertap wattage testing and his own unique 1-2-1 training sessions all taking place in-house. Using his years of experience and having input into many athletes bike fit including pros such as U.S based Eric Harr and Scottish Ironman Scott Neyedli, and many age groupers such as supreme duathletes Emma Dews and Lee Piercy.

"It’s a simple philosophy I use. Look at the rider, asks lots of questions and try to find the best compromise for comfort, handling and speed" adds Joe. "It's not an exact formula but more a case of everyone is different but there's a solution waiting if you spend the time and think a lot.”

The shop has five keen staff that are all able to deal with every customers needs and are all very keen cyclists and triathletes. It is important the staff compete, and are passionate about what they are doing and selling. Not enough bike shops have staff who really care about what they are selling.

Southfork feel that every customer who leaves with any bike be it a £200 MTB or a £6000 custom tri bike with Powertap, must leave with the right bike for them. Customers are more informed than ever and they must get the right bike and not just something which is stock at the time…!!

Brands stocked include: Scott, Cannondale, Felt, Look, BMC, Quintana Roo, Merlin, Litespeed, Zipp, Fast Forward, 2XU, Ceepo, Blue Seventy, Powerbar, Torq,  Powertap and Cycleops

Things you might not know about: Southfork Cycles

• Southfork also support a very strong team of athletes,‘Southfork Racing’.
• They are not hard to spot on the orange and blue camo race kit know as ‘Glamourflage’.
• Manager Nick Butler is an ex- European Water Ski racing Champion, racing at speeds of up to 100 mph!
• The Southfork racing team have a blog HERE.

For other shops in this series, see:

• StrideUK
• TriSport Coaching UK
• Runaround Sports and Health
• Total Fitness Bath
• Royles
• Total Fitness Nottingham (TFN)
• Bicycleworks
• Bike and Run
• Primera
• Sigma Sport