Published on 1st November 2025

The Bicycle Exchange has expanded its services since relocating to the Wiston Estate in Washington.  

The business, founded by Dan and Francesca Lawrence, initially sold pre-owned bicycles from a rural barn in Billingshurst. The Bicycle Exchange then took on a second unit in Ashington, offering servicing and repairs while also establishing a small café. Now in Washington, next to Chalk Restaurant, the Bicycle Exchange is utilising its location close to the South Downs Way by offering an e-bike rental service too. 

Dan said: ‘The South Downs Way stretches from Winchester to Eastbourne and people love riding it. It’s a 100-mile ride and is very challenging, so some like to take it easy and complete the route in three or four days, while others may start early in the morning and complete it in just one day. Some ride an MTB, but because there are difficult uphill sections over rough terrain on the Downs, many prefer to use an e-bike. 

‘Some MTB riders joke that it’s cheating to use an e-bike, but there are times when you’ll be very happy to have the assistance of battery power! Even though it helps you up hills, you still get great exercise on an e-bike and – for some – it means continuing to ride at a time of life when they lack the strength to complete long distances, allowing them to carry on doing what they love.’ 

‘With this in mind, we’ve launched a new website (www.ridethedowns.co.uk) giving people the chance to rent a good quality, fully-charged e-bike for anything from two hours (£45) to one day (£85) or even an entire week (£295). Lots of people are interested in buying an e-bike but want to try one first before committing to spending a significant amount of money. So, we offer a scheme in which those who want to rent an e-bike can receive a discount of the rental amount, if they then wish to buy one of the bikes new. We use Trek Powerfly +4 bikes, which is a perfect book for exploring off-road trails like the South Downs Way.’

CRANK IT UP

At 100-miles long, the South Downs Way is beyond the battery of most e-bikes. Dan has tested the ride himself and rode a 52-mile stretch from Winchester to Wiston with 11% power remaining. So, The Bicycle Exchange is an ideal spot for both bike and rider to re-energise. As well as offering e-bikes, a wide range of pre-owned bikes and a busy workshop for repairs, Cranks Café @The Bicycle Exchange has been extended to offer food, including breakfast baps, jacket potatoes and a range of toasties. Run by Francesca, the café also sells ice cream shakes, fruit smoothies and pancakes, with a games area (including table football) to keep people entertained. 

Francesca said: ‘We serve a great cup of coffee, as well as cakes and treats from Kim’s Kitchen Sussex. The toasties are popular too and we’re holding a competition in which people can create their own toastie for our menu, with the winner receiving a free toastie every week for a year. With other features such as a book swap, the café is becoming popular, and we hope to grow further still, perhaps organising events such as quiz nights.’

PARKRUN PLANS

Thanks to its rural location, close to features such as Chanctonbury Ring and Cissbury Ring, The Bicycle Exchange is a good spot to start or finish a ride, with maps available there too. One group of cyclists already sets out from Crank Café on Sunday mornings, while The Bicycle Exchange has collaborated with guided ride specialists Marmalade MTB, giving more people the chance to ride the Downs on an e-bike. It’s also hoped the café will soon host an official ParkRun.  

Dan said: ‘We already organise a social Sunday run, offering 5K, 8K and 10K routes on local trails. This has proved popular, with between 40 to 50 runners attending. The Wiston Estate is keen to support a Saturday ParkRun too and approached us about the idea, as Cranks Cafe would be an ideal place for runners to meet and have refreshments. There’s a lot going on, as we’ve also launched West Sussex Bike Exchange, a charitable arm of the business. We take donations of unwanted bikes and those that are good enough will be serviced and sold through the business, with profits going to our charity partners, Turning Tides and Chestnut Tree House. Any that can’t be sold but are still good bikes will be fixed and given to somebody who may need a bike but doesn’t have the money to buy one. It’s another way we can contribute more to our great local cycling community.’ 

WORDS: Ben Morris /PHOTOS: Alan Wright 

Further information: www.thebicycleexchange.co.uk