Mapdec Cycle Works - A Complete Cycling Service Centre 

Meet Mapdec,  we are an all-encompassing cycling space focused on providing expert service and sharing our knowledge in-person and online. We are service-centric, repair all makes and models, perform bike fits and fitness testing and have the Strength2Speed gym aimed at endurance athletes. On top of all this, we have Mapdec's own YouTube channel, attracting 12 Million views in 2024, sharing our knowledge and enthusiasm for all things cycle-tech with a global following.

This is the next step on our journey. 

Paul Vousden has grown Mapdec from a one-man bike mechanic workshop to a business that employs a team of mechanics, video editors and customer service staff.  Simon Horsley invested in the company in 2023, joining the team as Executive Director. Paul has grown the Mapdec YouTube channel to 56K subscribers and over 21 Million lifetime views. The business now has a rare opportunity to expand into larger premises and create a bustling hub of essential services for all cyclists. 

What's in it for us?

Let's address the elephant in the room. How do we benefit? Of course we hope our business grows, and that our team expands, and their skills and success grow, so do their wages.  Better, more motivated and educated staff with a great place to work, do in turn benefit you, the rider.  We don't sell stuff, we sell experiences and services. We genuinely love what we do and feel truly grateful we do this as a career. 

Our Plans 

Our goal is to expand into an adjacent building where the additional space will mean we can securely store and work on more bikes. We want to be able to repair and service bikes as you need, and not have to book appointments and queue.  You should be able to bring your bike in for work at any time, knowing that we will get to work on it right away, and that your precious bike is well looked after, and securely locked away. Our extra space means we will be able to keep more common parts to hand, recruiting more mechanics, resulting in less waiting time for bike repairs. 

This space will greatly enhance our custom bike building experience, with sample frames, demo and hire bikes so you can try-before-you-buy. You could also hire a high quality bike to enjoy whilst on holiday, or if your bike is being repaired.

Outside we want to put in a public bike wash and e-bike charging station as a community project. The bike wash will help riders living in town centre apartments with somewhere to wash down and care for their bikes. The secure bike park and charging station would serve our immediate business neighbours by providing somewhere workers can park their bikes.  One thing we have learnt at Mapdec over the last decade is that the more we help our community, the more our community helps us back. 

Our sister company Strength2Speed, will be able to run more coached fitness classes and have a better less cramped experience, with space for athletes to meet with their coaches.

The bigger space also means that the company, Sports Recovery Kendal, who rent a therapy room from us, to provide sports therapy and personal strength coaching can also expand. Their plan is to introduce a private therapy room where biomechanical assessments and sports injury rehab training can be done 1:1. 

A permanent YouTube filming studio that requires zero set up time, will allow Paul and Mapdec Cycle Works to create even more high-quality video and audio content to help entertain and educate cycling fans all over the world. 

If we reach or exceed our funding goals, we will also be able to put in a cycling cafe, making Mapdec Cycle Works a social hub for cyclists in Kendal or on holiday in the Lake District. This is a longer term vision. 

This investment will transform Mapdec Cycle Works with more space, more cycling services. It will allow us to recruit more staff, train more young mechanics for careers in the cycling industry and ensure whether you are an online Mapdec fan or a customer of our workshop, we can provide even more of what you love. 

1) Rev-Up Campaign 

We aren't a start-up, we have a proven track record and we could accomplish these ambitious plans over time, but it would happen very slowly. With the help of this crowdfunding campaign, we can have rapid, impactful expansion so we can deliver on our plans quickly and our supporters can benefit almost immediately. 

2) Fit-Out 

Currently we have an empty shell, we need to plan, purchase and install every aspect of the new building. This allows us to create the perfect space for local cyclists and visitors alike. Think showers, changing rooms, bikes and parts storage, consultation space, bike fitting studio, outside bike wash and charging station. The vision is to create a place to meet, plan and prepare for a ride, and hang out with your tribe. We would also use that space to bring back our education courses that were hugely popular before COVID.  Maybe one day a bike-themed cafe to create the perfect venue to start and finish rides or be a hub for cycling social events. 

3) Security 

Our new building will be bursting with riders' precious and beloved bikes, and we have to ensure it is properly protected at all times. A significant part of our budget will be spent on fitting alarms, locks, racks, and linking into surveillance so you can have confidence that if you are leaving your pride and joy bike with us, it is in safe hands in a purpose built bike storage facility. 

4) Faster repairs, more time cycling

To reduce workshop times and increase our services, we need to recruit more workshop space, bike stands and skilled mechanics. You will be able to get your bike fixed faster and get access to a loan bike while your bike is in the repair queue. 

5) Unique and Exciting Custom Builds 

We want Mapdec to be the number one choice for anyone in the UK wanting a custom built bike. We already work with some of the most prestigious European bike brands and we are looking to expand that portfolio. With demo bikes, a fitting studio and state-of-the-art workshop we can bring your dream bike to life and give you an experience you won't forget. 

6) More videos

Our YouTube studio will also expand, and be a permanent, well lit, sound proofed space, with extra staff helping to create more videos and raising the quality. This will make the content we produce even more valuable to our audience and allow us to cover more of the latest bike technology. 

7) Demo and Hire Bikes 

Buying a bike is a huge investment, both financially and emotionally. Spending time looking at your options for frames and components is all part of the fun and reassures you that you are making good choices. Our new building will have space for a display area and allow you to ride a wide range of demo bikes so you can be completely confident before you place your order and commission your dream bike, built to perfection. 

8) A Destination for Cyclists 

Kendal is the gateway to the Lake District and a fantastic place for cycling of all persuasions. We have some of the UK's most epic road climbs and on the doorstep,  Lake District natural rocky mountain biking, trail centres and miles of gravel. Growing Mapdec Cycle Works into a bigger site will allow local cyclists to care for their bikes with ease. Bike hire, repair workshop and a leading custom build centre will encourage cyclists to visit Kendal and put Kendal even more firmly on the cycling map. 

9) Creating New Jobs and Professional Career Progression 

At Mapdec we believe that the cycle industry offers a fun, rewarding and professional career. Over the last ten years, we have supported young mechanics through their apprenticeships and business management training to become fully qualified and confident in their work. With a larger premises, we will recruit more mechanics, videographers and customer service staff, as well as develop opportunities for new apprentices to start their career in cycling. We strongly believe in the National Apprentice Scheme and have worked with Kendal College to train and qualify  3 excellent young men. 

We're Ready For The Challenge

We know this is going to be hard work and a big leap forward for us as a business. We aren’t afraid to put the graft in or take a risk to make this a success as we believe in what Mapdec can deliver to cyclists in Kendal and all over the world through our YouTube channel. 

Growing a business is not without risk, but we have a fantastic team of passionate people who love cycling and are driven to make our ideas a reality. We also have an amazing community locally and nationally rating us 4.9 out of 5 on Google and Reviews.io for the service we provide. 

With your support, this Rev-Up campaign will quickly and impactfully take Mapdec and cycling in the Lake District to the next level.

Other Ways You Can Help

Even without contributing, there are many ways you can help us reach our goals. 

Firstly, share our ideas and campaign with everyone you know and tell them why you support the work we do at Mapdec. Follow our YouTube channel and become a subscriber if you aren’t already. Take part in our raffle to be in with a chance of winning some of the components we have featured on our channel. 

The Perks 

Learn more about our range of perks on offer for Indiegogo backers, ranging from immortalising your donation on our staircase wall, up to the full on Mapdec Cycle Works experience day. 

Perk Details 

1. Your Name on the Stairs - We will produce a custom artwork design of all the names of our backers and print them out on board to fit the walls around our staircase. 

2. Masterclass Webinars - The dates for the Webinar will be released on completion of the project and the YouTube studio is fully operational. This will likely be in the Autumn, and we promise to deliver these webinar sessions whatever the status. The class will be at least an hour long and will invite questions from everyone. 

3. Mystery Boxes - The mystery box of cycling goodies is currently under construction, but so far includes donations from Pirelli, Bikone, Alé, Butt'r, Time, & Topeak. A further video will highlight all the brands and products. We will ask you for notes on your wishes, but it will ultimately be a mystery on what you are sent. 

4. A day in the Mapdec Workshop - We will close the workshop for the day, and invite 3 backers at at time to join the team to perform a full strip down rebuild service on your own bike. We will release a series of dates for this to happen, and we will be in close liaison to make sure we have any parts you might need to make sure you leave with a perfectly working bike. 

5. The Titanium Card - We will be commissioning a special one of a kind card for every backer of this perk. For as long as you have possession of the card we promise to get your bike right to the front of the queue whenever it needs work. If possible we will give you free use of a demo bike while we work on your bike. Upto 3 days, and only in the UK, and while we have your bike in for service. Damages etc would still need to be paid for as if it was a hire bike. 

6. Sponsored Route - On the walls we will have a display made up of plaques featuring a routes designed by you. Each plaque will have a small map, a route name and description. Details of distance, elevation and terrain as well as notes about your favorite part of the route. Maybe a good cafe, a business you run, or view point you love. Each route will have a QR code that links to a quick way to add the route to a riders cycle computer and share with friends.  We will vet and advise routes slightly to make sure we have a good range of distances and locations, and for Road, Gravel and MTB. These are a great way of promoting a local business. 

(inspired by a great bike shop we found in Manchester) 

7. Service your own bike - Spend a day in the Mapdec workshop working on your own bike. We will invite you for a day that is mutually convenient, most likely the Autumn or Winter, and before Summer of 2026. We will set you up at a workstand and the whole team will help you get your bike fully stripped down and rebuilt to perfection. We will liaise closely to make sure we have every part and tool needed to make the day run smoothly and be tons of fun. 

8. Upgrade your Own Bike - This perk includes a top tier Groupset of your choice. Choose from SRAM RED, Campagnolo Super Record Wireless or EPS, or Shimano Dura Ace. We will do the upgrade together and make sure you are fully versed on it's installation and upkeep.  We will even make sure you have any specialist tools like bleed kits, diagnostic boxes, and set up tools for you to keep on top of your maintenance. and servicing. 

9. New Bike Day - This perk includes a new bike and bike fit with Phil Burt. You will need to travel to Phil Burt's fitting studio in Manchester for your first fit. After that we will work together to specify your dream bike. You will travel to Kendal and join the Mapdec team to build your dream bike. We will conduct a final fit check if needed. Then if daylight allows, we will head out for a ride. We will film the whole process for the Mapdec YouTube channel. (you don't have to appear on camera) 

The bike you specify needs to be at full MSRP prices. If the value of the final build exceeds £15,000 you will need to pay the balance. It does not include any 3rd party work like custom paint. Except for a FiftyOne bikes where we can include custom Geometry and Custom Paint. 

The frameset, wheels and groupset should be from a brand we supply. 

Frame: Time, LOOK, FiftyOne, 3T, Cinelli, 

Wheels from: Scope, FFWD, Campagnolo, Mavic, ERE Research, Extralite, Light Bicycle, DT Swiss, and many more