A new cycle hire business has kicked into gear at a popular outdoor spot in Helston.

Lakeside Cycles is a new cycle hire business set up by Shawn Gimbert after he retired from the Navy in February this year and wanted to start a new adventure.

Shawn left the Navy after having served 32 years in the military and, being a keen cyclist with experience in repairing bikes, decided that he wanted to start up his own business.

Shawn said: "There was previously a cyle hire here on Boating Lake but it's not been trading for about three or four years now, so this place had been left empty.

Falmouth Packet: Shawn left the Navy after having served 32 years in the military and, being a keen cyclist with experience in repairing bikes, decided that he wanted to start up his own business.Shawn left the Navy after having served 32 years in the military and, being a keen cyclist with experience in repairing bikes, decided that he wanted to start up his own business.

"South Kerrier Alliance and Cornwall Council were very keen to get cycle hire back and I'd always planned to go into the cycle industry and this opportunity came my way, and I jumped on it.

"It's been running for about seven weeks now and we also do servicing and repairs, I'm a fully qualified cycle mechanic.

"We do cycle hire essentially for the cycling around the Penrose National Trust estate and on to Porthleven, but I also will deliver bikes to holiday accommodation which we've done a fair bit of so far.

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Shawn retired from the Navy after 32 years as an aircraft engineer and so has seen the vehicles he fixes up get a tad smaller.

"It's been a bit of a change of scenery, but yeah it's brilliant, I'm loving it.

Falmouth Packet: Shawn left the Navy after having served 32 years in the military.Shawn left the Navy after having served 32 years in the military.

"It's a little bit less technical, but yeah it's really nice down here and, looking out over the boat lake now, it's a better view than the office I left at the Navy.

"I've always been into bikes, I've been a cyclist all my life and eventually I came to the end of my career at the navy, and although there were plenty of opportunities to continue working in the aviation industry, I kind of new after all that time in the military I wanted to draw a line under it.

"I always kind of fancied having my own business, and I did get qualified a few years ago and started operating as an independent cycle mechanic anyway.

Falmouth Packet: Lakeside Cycles is located on the picturesque Boating Lake in Helston.Lakeside Cycles is located on the picturesque Boating Lake in Helston.

"I've kind of just expanded that into this really, so I've continued the servicing and repair side of it and just added the cycle hire.

"With the Covid pandemic it became a little tricky to get hold of the bikes, but I persevered and I managed to secure bikes from Cannondale and Raleigh.

"I wanted to be open for the Easter weekend but I couldn't succeed in that because I didn't have the bikes or stock, but luckily I managed to get open for the half-term week which was fantastic.

Shawn offers a 10% discount to military personnel.

If you'd like to find out more, visit: lakesidecycles.co.uk.