Evans Cycles

Centenary Animation

Celebrating 100 Years in the Saddle

In 2021, Evans Cycles marked its 100th anniversary. Founded by F.W. Evans in a London workshop, the brand has grown into the UK’s leading specialist bike retailer, supporting generations of cyclists, from handcrafted frames to modern in-house brands like Pinnacle and Hoy.

To celebrate this milestone, Evans Cycles asked us to create an animation that would highlight key cycling moments across the past century. It needed to be bold, fast-paced and era-spanning, with the bicycle remaining the constant hero throughout every scene.

 

Illustration of a man riding a bicycle past the F.W. Evans cycling shop, established in 1921, with a
Illustration of two cyclists mountain biking on a rocky trail with green hills and blue skies in the background, wearing helmets and riding modern bikes with rugged wheels.
Illustration of a modern Evans Cycles store with a reflective glass front, yellow logo signage, and bikes displayed inside, set against a bright blue sky and green landscape.
Illustration of cyclist Elsy Jacobs approaching the finish line at the 1958 World Cycling Championships, cheered by crowds lining the race track under a bright blue sky.

Crafting Motion Through Time

To celebrate 100 years of cycling history, we crafted an animation rich in detail and era-specific design. Every element, from clothing and cars to sound design was chosen to reflect the time period authentically. We used a blend of 2D, 3D and frame-by-frame animation to create dynamic, visually layered scenes. 3D layouts helped guide complex camera movement, while hand-drawn animation brought warmth and personality. The result is a fluid, expressive tribute to a century of cycling, with the bicycle as the consistent hero across generations.

 

Sound Design

We built a custom score for the piece that seamlessly changes through the decades making each scene clearly identifiable.

The audio sets the mood and pace across the animation ebbing and flowing from leisurely cycles to a crescendo at the 2012 London Olympics.

Finally, the sound effects of the aeroplane tearing across the sky or the crowd in the velodrome complete the atmosphere.

 

Illustration of cyclists racing in a velodrome under spotlights, with cheering silhouettes of spectators in the stands and
Illustration of a smiling man riding a red chopper-style bike down a sunny residential street lined with terraced houses, under a bright blue sky with white clouds.
Illustration of a man in a blue uniform shielding his eyes while a vintage plane flies low overhead, set on a countryside road with hills and a cottage in the background.