JUST as Wales' Tour de France hero Geraint Thomas has achieved a life-long ambition in an increasingly popular sport, a new bike café in Denbigh is hoping to peddle in the same direction.

Kazoku Cycles, a new café-cum-bike repair service in Denbigh is planning to become a hub for cyclists and cycling groups in the area.

The café has been started by James Ashworth, 28, from Holywell, a graduate in experimental volcanology at the University of Lancaster who studied for his masters in Iceland, followed by a PhD in Japan.

It was in the north pacific that the nomadic student fell in love with cycling, setting up a cycling club in the city of Kyoto, now well-established with over 400 members.

This is where the café's Japanese name, ‘Kazoku’, originated, translating to ‘family’. Mr Ashworth, deciding to settle in Denbigh with his partner, is hoping that a family and community can be built out of the café.

Mr Ashworth said: “Denbigh is a very good place for mountain and road biking.

“There is not currently a bike shop in town and I think there needs to be. New businesses are setting up which is great; fresh blood is what the town needs.

“The surrounding area offers some fantastic cycling routes along the Clwydian Range, to the Brenig and towards Clocaenog. The roads near Ruthin offer some of the best bike climbs in the UK."

The two-wheeled sport has gained popularity in the UK following the success of Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome at recent Summer Olympics and Tour de France competitions.

The café will provide bike repair services ranging from minor adjustments to add-ons and replacements.

Mr Ashworth has teamed up with cycling guides Tristin Roberts, of Ride Guide Cymru, and Tom Hutton, of MTB Guiding, who lead cycling groups in the region that will be starting and finishing the café.

Mr Ashworth added: “Hopefully the café will become a hub for cycling groups.

“We have received an amazing response so far; we’ve been busy in the workshop every day and many people have wished us good luck.

“There is a fantastic sense of community.”