A Lovely Retro Bike

My cycling colleagues surprise me sometimes. You'd expect most of the bikes to be mountain bikes in various states of repair - like my Decathlon - mixed in with some new Halford's Carerras that get bought every tine a "Cycle to Work" scheme comes around.

That is indeed the case, but there are some more eccentric velocipedes, like the ancient foldaway bike that has a bean bag for a seat or the old model e-bike that weighs 3 tonnes and has uneven handlebars, and some bikes that indicate either by luck or by choice the owner is a bit of a bicycle conneuseur.

Such was the bike I came across today, a lovely late 80s Reynolds 501 steel framed Kellogs Tour of Britain edition Raleigh road bike. Complete with down tube shifters and the glorious Raleigh logo on the front, dating from a time when these bikes were actually made in the UK at a huge factory in Nottingham, this is a super retro bike that any cycling hipster in a tweed cap would be happy to take to an Eroica festival.

Slightly strangely, however, the owner had swapped out the proper drop handlebars for a flat bar.

I love finding old Raleigh bikes with their heron badges. They remind me of a brilliant documentary I watched about that Raleigh factory in the city, where hundreds of skilled workers turned out these classic machines for work, play, and of course racing.

What's there now? A University campus and flats. There used to be a pub called The Handlebar as a last sort of memorial, but I think that's gone now too.

There's a few ipics of other retro bikes here too.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 20.08.20

Another Older Raleigh Bicycle

I came across this senior bicycle advertising a cafe at the sheltered accomodation next to the sports centre.

Always feel rather sorry for them, shackled permanently to promote something rather than being ridden free in the countryside, but I always like to see the Raleigh heron on view, hopefully one that was made at the great factory in Nottingham.

Fetishised though they are, steel bikes have a beauty that carbon cannot match,

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 16.04.19

The Glory of Raleigh

It is quite a fad, I think, but I think it is easy to see why people get seduced by the old style beauty of steel bicycles; their simple slim uncluttered frames, and the way their paint glitters more than it ever can on an aluminium or carbon frame.

Whenever I see a Raleigh bicycle of this nature, it always makes me feel proud - probably the greatest thing Nottingham ever produced. There was a fantastic documentary on BBC4 about the history of the company and its Nottingham factory, and the skilled tradesmen who worked there. I love the heron logo. I love that these bicycles once ruled the world from this county.

So, it gives me great joy to see old Raleigh bicycles at work. Even if leaving a steel bike out in the rain is a bit of a heartbreaker.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 13.02.18

Another Crackin' Owd Bike

Brought to you by the Legends of the Heron, Raleigh themselves.

This bike showed up today in our work bike shed next to mine; I had never seen it before and was immediately fascinated by it, the sprung seat, the huge bell, the gears.

I wouldn't want a bike like that to ride to work, but somedays I'd love a Steel framed classic bike to go to Eroicas...look good in retro kit, sail my glitteringly painted steed in an elegant Sportive, and then relax in the village with an esperesso or two.

Never happen. I don't have the hands to maintain a bike like that, and all strong coffee does to me is cause panic attacks and trembles. But is a dream, and it is always fun to enjoy nice old things.

Enjoy the photographs!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 03.10.17

The Other Sort of Bikes

After all the excitement and "Oh look, telly people are here" commotion of yesterday, today was all about being back at work and doing the usual office things - AND unloading all the heavy stuff from yesterday like folded up gazebos and folded down tables.

At least the spare balloons didn't weigh very much.

So instead of flash new racing bikes, I found some old steel Raleighs in our bike park to show you. I pretty much love these British icons, the story of the factory was amazing and the heron logo on the stem I find particularly endearing.

Saw some proper old steely racers on the park yesterday, all shiny metal, all glitters. Obviously off to an Eroica event for old bikes soon!

Wish I had one, but they need a lot of upkeep.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 07.09.17

All the Bikes

Around town, everytime I see interesting bikes, or cycle clubs out on runs, or anything like that, I love to take pictures, dreaming perhaps of the day where I might have a bicycle that actually works and is really nice and fast and easy to ride.

Some hopes!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 12.05.17