Freedom and new friends – these are the treasures that are worth leaving comfort behind, turning one’s hobby into a job. Nowadays Bulgarian Alexander Makedonski has the freedom to create unique boutique bikes and his grateful customers become his friends.

When bicycles are not just a riding tool, but passion, one has nothing else to do, but to devote his life to them. That was the philosophy behind Alexander’s decision to establish his 1bike studio in Sofia, turning his goals into missions – to create incredible bikes, to provoke people to rely on bikes more often and to have their own cozy parking spots. The young man opened his first workshop in his house’s basement in Dryanovo when he was in the 6^th grade. Later on he worked in his father’s workshop. Then, after some time spent at the media Internet sector and an IT company, but mostly after his stay in the Netherlands, Alexander reconsidered the way we should move in city environment and realized his vocation. One day he simply said he wanted to repair and create unique bicycles. A storehouse was found in Dryanovo and… everything started.

“It gives me great freedom in everyday life, but it also costs a lot of time and efforts,” Alexander says on his hobby and profession. “However, the feeling of making your money via your own efforts directly is very comforting and brings satisfaction, when done properly, of course.”

Alexander often has to act as a psychology expert, in order to opt for the best type of bike that would suit the person standing in front.

“Our customers are really cool and we manage to figure out their needs pretty fast. On the other hand the conversations turn into making new friends, as no one simply drops the bike and leaves… Sometimes a certain project takes hours and days of discussions which results in deepening of the relations…”

Each bike, touched by Alexander is unique and handmade with no analogue:

“We don’t have a bike that looks the same as any previous one,” Alexander underlines. “Of course, colors change, as fashion trends exist, just like everywhere else. However, the overall vision includes a combination of accessories, colors, drawings, stickers, each of them being different.”

The turquoise bike is the hottest trend right now. People do like this blue-green color, prompting of the vintage culture, Alexander explains. However, a bike is much more than that – it is part of a young person’s image and vision of life. Nikoleta calls hers “the elegant city warrior with a family history” due to the retro image and class acquired.

Only a few days ago Alexander Makedonski managed to bring joy to 236 kids in the towns of Lom, Knezha, Popovo, Kubrat, Nova Zagora and Etropole. He gifted them with bikes touched by him. That was all due to over 300 donators from across the country. Last year he gifted the initial 70 bikes to kids from Dryanovo – a sort of a citizen’s duty, concerning the place where the 1bike workshop is situated.

“Bike in exchange of garbage, one for a kid” is the name of another charity campaign of Alexander who dreams of taking his business abroad, to states with traditions in the making of custom bikes. May be because he was named after Alexander the Great, he is not afraid of challenges.

“Perhaps the name is a bit obliging, as the association results in some expectations, but I try not to think of it. That is simply my name,” bike master Alexander Makedonski says in conclusion.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev