CyclistPinarello focus: Billy Bilsland Cycles, GlasgowBilly Bilsland Cycles is a Glasgow cycling institution. Opened in 1980 by the father of current owner Neil Bilsland, the family-run business has been at the heart of Scotlands racing and riding scene for decades. It gives back to the community it helped create and a visit has to be at the top of any cycling sightseers must-do list if only for the infectious enthusiasm Neil has for the world he was born into.Local heroesI started working here as a youngster in the early 1990s, Neil says. Child labour laws dont apply to family businesses or so my father tells me! This shop is pretty much all Ive known. Its history is all over its walls, from Philippa Yorks polka dot jersey, a Peugeot bike from the same era, Katie Archibalds rainbow jersey, Neah Evans national champions jersey and even going back to my grandfather Arthur Campbells time. He was president of the Scottish Cyclists Union and the British Federation.Theres a poster on the wall from the 1980 Worlds, with his head popping out of the commissaires car; we have his commissaire badges going back to Fausto Coppi winning in 1953. There are generations of cycling represented in the shop; its a shame Im a better retailer than Id ever be a rider.At your serviceBeing family-run and independent means when you come in you deal with the owner, Neil says. Were all here because we love speaking to customers, helping and following them in their cycling journey whether its their first commuter bike or, in a few years time, their race bike.Weve been dealing with some of our customers for 20 years.If its got two wheels, well fix it. And bike-fits have become a much bigger part of what we do. Because almost every bikes front end is proprietary, the shop that sells you the bike is going to be the best shop to fit you, because theyll have the correct bars, the correct stem and the experience of that kind of system.A global familyFor the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the Malawian team brought their bikes in for a service, Neil says. The bikes were OK but we ended up lending them two bikes for the road race and one of the staff members time-trial bikes for the TT. Theres a Scotland-Malawi partnership now. For the World Championships in August last year, a Malawi rider came across for three weeks with just a rucksack. So we provided bikes, transfers I even did his washing for him!Also during the Worlds, we had the only athlete representing Vatican City come to the shop. In the morning, we were sorting out the Malawi team, then in the afternoon, we worked on that guys bike. It was a Pinarello but it needed the gearing sorted.Great escapeWe are pretty much smack bang in the city centre, but Glasgow Green, one of the biggest parks in Glasgow, is adjacent to the shop. From there, the National Cycle Network gives you options in every direction north, south, east and west.To get out of the city by bike to nice, roadie roads is only about 5km in any direction. North of the city is the Campsie Fells and the Carron Valley, including two classic climbs: the Crow Road and the Tak-Ma-Doon. Youre never very far from a good climb.The Italian connectionPinarello has been fantastic for the shop, Neil says. So good in fact that it makes me slap myself in the forehead and ask why I havent been selling Pinarello bikes for 15 years. Weve talked about the history of the shop, but Pinarellos own history in cycling is unmatched. I grew up watching Miguel Indurin winning the Tour de France, then we had the dominance of Team Sky.And obviously Pinarellos bikes are amazing. The X Series, for example, just fits people so well. Whether youre as short as 4ft 11in or as tall as 6ft 5in, theres a Pinarello that will fit you. Click here to find out more about Billy Bilsland Cycles in GlasgowThe post Pinarello focus: Billy Bilsland Cycles, Glasgow appeared first on Cyclist.