B u l l e n s
A r m i d a l e
B i c y c l e
C e n t r e
to Armidale in 1973 to establish JOCK BULLEN’S ARMIDALE BICYCLE CENTRE, originally in Marsh Street opposite the Club Hotel (White Bull).
40 great years in business
MARK BULLEN FROM BULLENS ARMIDALE BICYCLE CENTRE TELLS FOCUS ABOUT HIS FAMILY'S JOURNEY TO 40 GREAT YEARS IN BUSINESS.
52 new england focus.
hen and why did Bullens bikes first first begin? Our family is originally from Newcastle, with Jock from a mining family from the suburb of Cardiff and Lois coming from Mayfield and her family working in the BHP. Jock worked in the bicycle industry after leaving school and moved on to being a motor mechanic and then a bicycle company representative. Lois worked at a chemist after leaving school in the suburb of Mayfield. Jock used to call on a well-established family business in Armidale, Forbes Bicycle Shop, which had been owned by the Forbes family for a number of years – John (Jack) Forbes. Jock purchased the business from the Forbes family and proceeded to move the Bullen family from Newcastle
When did Jock, yourself and Mitch first become involved in cycling, and what level did you each reach in the sport? Jock rode bikes mainly for transport in Newcastle and to get to and from school, but then started to compete in the racing game from the age of 13. Throughout his career his achievements are 18 NSW Country Titles, 5 NSW State Titles, as well as a bronze medal at the Australian National Titles. He also made the short selection teams for the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Teams, but at the time team members were preferred to be chosen from the major cities, so he was overlooked. After entering the business, he moved into the management and mechanic’s side of the sport, as he had been building bicycle frames as well as repairing and building bikes since his youth in Newcastle. His experience in the shop prompted the Australian national team to call on his talents to pioneer the success of the Australian cycling team from the late ‘70s onwards. This involved representation in 6 Olympic teams, 7 Commonwealth Games teams, as well as all World Championships, National Championships, World Cups that the Australian team competed in over that period. I (Mark) also raced competitively, starting my cycling career when moving to Armidale; again, being in the cycling trade since 12 years of age, helping Jock in Newcastle when he worked on bikes. One of my memories was when living in Newcastle Dad tendered for a contract to build wheels for Malvern Star bicycle company, as money was not all that plentiful. So I learnt how to build, tighten and true wheels because that is what we did as a family before and