In the beginning was Perl

Perl

By Gary Williams

This is where it all started. I had been a cyclist on and off for years, using a bike to commute to work in Leeds, but had never committed to riding for exercise or just pleasure.

Then I moved to London, at a time when cycling culture was beginning to thrive, with bespoke bike shops and cycling cafés popping up all over the place to cater for a growing community of people opting out of crowded tube trains, buses or the daily traffic jam and pedalling to and from work instead.

My business was still in Leeds, so as a new Londoner I was fortunate being able to enjoy the big city on my free time and reverse - commuting to Yorkshire to work. It was during one of my long, often convoluted urban orienteering expeditions exploring the big city that I stumbled upon Mosquito Bikes, a boutique bike shop in Islington promoting smaller brands such as Independent Fabrication from the USA - a hand built made to measure fabricator of pretty special bicycles.
I did some research, but mainly went with my instinct and picked their IndyFab steel Club Racer model, slightly modified for light touring. Perl was born, with traditional geometry, painted in metallic navy blue, equipped with a leather Brooks saddle, and complemented with a a stylish Campagnolo groupset.

Europe adventure

I added a couple of panniers, loaded up and took off for a couple of months riding around Europe.
The trip rekindled my love for cycling, but I did not know then that my new relationship with the sport and with steel bikes would alter the path for me going forward.
On my return, I discovered cycling clubs, joined one and tried the occasional group ride, but mostly went out by myself, exploring new areas until I discovered my favourite routes around London.

And a new start

North-east Mallorca

Pollensa

When years later I decided it was time for a change, the thought of doing something cycling-related was compelling and exciting and Mallorca became my new home. I was determined to ride into the future with the sun on my back. As one of the most renowned and sought-after cycling destinations in Europe, this beautiful island seemed the perfect spot for a fresh start.
Pollensa sits at the head of a valley in the north-east end of the Tramuntana range, with sandy coastlines and majestic mountains all within easy reach. After about a year of becoming acquainted with the best cycling routes and café stops, I became the proud owner of the first and only peloton of Independent Fabrication bikes for rent in Mallorca, possibly in the world!

One of twelve Independent Fabrication SSRs

I chose a traditional geometry for these timeless frames made of Columbus XCR stainless steel, and worked with Independent Fabrication to design the pattern for the painted forks that paid hommage to my new home, combining the red and yellow of the Spanish flag with the purple of Mallorca.

Some time later it was also time for Perl to freshen up her outfit, and after endless hours of search for inspiration, drawing and painting different colour schemes and patterns, I found a Mondrian-style paint scheme from an old Look track bicycle design that would become Perl’s new livery. I stripped her bare and sprayed her myself on our roof terrace whilst confined to barracks during the first phases of the Covid pandemic. Having this distraction during what was an incredibly difficult time for everyone was welcome but in Spain our freedom was curtailed for too long and the rules were strict.

Perl today

n+1 Bicycles logo

In the meantime, I was thinking of a logo for my business. While visiting an art gallery in Palma, I was inspired by a painted metal piece representing a peloton of three stylised cyclists. A quick trip to an art supply shop in town, and I was at my desk drawing on a large sheet of paper, erasing and starting again, until I had what I wanted. I transferred it to a sheet of tracing paper and then onto a piece of marine plywood. Cut the shape out, painted it, stood the figure on my sunny balcony and took pictures of it. The contrast with the Picasso blu background was just the effect I was looking for.

So this is the story of how n+1 Bicycles came to be. Hope you enjoyed reading. Feel free to comment.