THE man behind a new mountain biking venture in the Forest hopes it will create a community.

Pedal Syndicate has opened its new store which is located on the edge of the trails at the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre at Cannop.

“This isn’t just another bike shop,” said Pedal Syndicate owner Gareth Sheppard Jones.

“We hope this will become a true hub for mountain biking and help create a wonderful community here in the Forest of Dean.

“Not only will it attract visitors to the area, but it will also support and inspire local riders.

“Pedal Syndicate’s Forest of Dean store aims to become a welcoming, rider-focused hub for locals and visiting mountain bikers alike.”

The new shop opened last Friday and stocks a “curated selection” of bikes, parts, components and riding kit.

“Every brand in the shop has earned its place and 2026 is shaping up to be an incredibly exciting year, with some very cool things coming from some brilliant brands.”

He said the new store marks a major milestone for the independent mountain bike specialist and will cement its commitment to serving riders where it matters most, at the heart of the riding.

Rather than rows of products, the shop is built to support the full riding experience from first pedal stroke to post-ride tweaks.

Riders can try out bikes properly on the trails they’re meant for, get the right setup, ride straight from the shop onto the Forest’s iconic trails, and fine tune the set-up after returning if needed.

Gareth added: “Buying a new bike is not a one size fits all purchase, from suspension tuning and contact points to overall fit.

“Pedal Syndicate is doubling down on the small adjustments that transform a good bike into your bike.”