As an indoor cycling studio owner, do you want to know what compliment I love the most?
When people come into the cafe and the studio here at Chateau Velo, a piece of feedback I get frequently is that people love the feeling of the place. They tell me they feel comfortable here, and that really does make me happy. Because that is what I’ve always strived to create.
Do you know where the name comes from?
I’m actually half Belgian - my mum came from Verviers, in the south of Belgium (which is French speaking rather than Flemish).
I’ve always had a love of the French language (although my ability to speak it is sadly lacking) so when it came to putting a name to my vision, I wanted something French in memory of my Mum and in recognition of my heritage. (And a dream of having a Chateau in southern France one day!)
The literal translation of Chateau [sha-toh] is large house or castle, and Velo [ve-lo] is bicycle.
Together it is to be “The house of bikes” (although I know it’s not completely grammatically correct, so please allow me some artistic licence!).
But more than that, it’s a place I want to feel like home.
A place I want to welcome you into, a place you can visit and relax and enjoy (even if you are coming here to get sweaty!)
Because when you are feeling comfortable and safe, it’s easier to get a bit uncomfortable. To push towards something new.
And that’s what we have to do when we’re riding - to get a bit uncomfortable, so that things can become more comfortable in the long run.
So when you're looking to get active and start training, make sure, as far as possible, you are choosing somewhere you feel comfortable, somewhere that feels like home.
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