Long before Aztecs, Marco spent over a decade in the UK cycling industry, starting at Evans in 2008 and working with names like Cycle Republic, Balfe's Bikes and Cycles UK. When we met in 2018, Angie could not understand why he would ever leave an industry he loved so much.

During Covid, Marco lost his job when Halfords closed Cycle Republic. The boom made headlines, but the industry was unstable. By the end of the year our idea was clear: a bike shop run on our own rules. Tell us who you are, and we will tell you the bike you need.

On a whim, we viewed a unit right next to our home. We started repairing bikes from our living room, the workbench an IKEA table. People struggled to find us on Google, because the address was our flat. Bikes were everywhere: the kitchen, the hallway, the bedroom.

We knew exactly how Aztecs should look and feel, so we brought in an interior designer and a designer for the logo. From day one we had a strong vision: modern, welcoming, and nothing like an intimidating bike shop.

Marco spent two weeks in Oxford completing his Cytech Level 2. He already had the knowledge, but it confirmed what our customers know: he is meticulous, detail-driven, and genuinely cares for every bike that comes through our door.

We signed the lease and got the keys. After years of dreaming, the shop was finally ours.

Bare concrete, ladders, and a lot of late nights. We built the shop we had been picturing for over a year.

We officially opened at 4 Corsican Square, Bow. A family bike and repair workshop, built on great service and honest advice.

More brands, more customers, more sacrifice. People fell in love with a different kind of bike shop. And Marco finally reunited with his parents after many years away from Mexico.

We trained with Elves, building a bike together and discovering a shared vision. We were shortlisted for the BikeBiz Awards but did not win. We also took our first family holiday in four years, travelling to Mexico for the first time in over 15 years.

A hard year, with shops closing all around us. We persevered, and this time we won BikeBiz Independent Bike Dealer of the Year. We launched our e-commerce site, became exclusive London dealer for Elves, and started our ride club.

Five years in, prouder than ever, and full of ideas we cannot wait to bring to life. Sometimes when your head is down on the handlebars you forget how far you have come. So here is to the road ahead.