The Raleigh Hunter

I get leads time and again about Raleigh's out in the field. The first question I ask is, "What color is your bike?" If black is the answer, I ask more.

Most of the time the seller has no clue as to exactly what there selling. What size frame, what size wheels, leather seat and so on.
Back in the early days of starting my collection, I shopped the "Want Ad" The Want Advertiser was a magazine published in Sudbury, Ma,that if you could get it first, you could get first dibs on the good bikes. The Want Ad had prices, but no pictures, and you never got into the question of, "How much do you want?" Asking the right questions and getting the right answers could save me miles, and time.

I knew of a breakfast joint in Newton that received the Want Ad at 6:30 am. I could get there, buy the magazine and use their pay phone while waiting for eggs and potatos to get ready for the ride for the bike. Every Thursday morning I would have cash ready for the hunt and be ready to make the kill. Moving a bike by bike was the plan. Carrying the frame and fork by "Pack Board" on my back and the wheels and fenders on the carrier rack of my trash pick 23" Raleigh Sports, "pick up bike"'

Things have changed over the years. Craigs List and word of mouth has me heading out with a little better idea as to what is to follow.

I will be heading out today to go look at a pair, Men's and Women's Raleighs and see if what the Gent at the store yesterday told me about is worth retrieving.

Check back later to see if today's "Hunt" was successful.

The Hunt

The First Sighting

The unsuspecting "Matched Pair" resting quietly

Moving in For The "Kill" Thats "V"

Feild Dressing for the Ride Home

The Discovery of Old Wounds

The Transport Vehicle Returns Home

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Bare Foot'n

Ya Probably not a good idea to ride your bike bare foot, but on a hot summer day when you need to "Hop on and go" It could be the only way.

Special footwear for years has been my favorite cycling accessory, My pile of shoes in the attic is deep, let alone the rows in my closet. Different cleat designs and different styles of shoes, some date back 35 years when cleats needed to be nailed on.

Felex's in Harvard Square was a favorite of all serious cyclists. He never rode racing bicycles, but knew all about putting on cycling cleats of all types, TA, Berrile, even leather cleats he made himself that you could walk on. But find a Cobbler that knows about cycling shoes now. My guess, it would be impossible.

Hopping on a Bicycle bare foot has you at first realizing that maybe its the wrong thing to do. My guess, riding with no cloths would have the same effect. How could it be possibly better?

I will never forget a bicycle chase with my brother as kids one April day. Yes April. He ran off and I chased him down on a bike. No time for shoes.
After catching him and retrieving what ever the heck he was running off with of mine, I returned back to the garage at the end of a downhill road into a downhill driveway.
Coming into the garage at speed, I put my bare foot down to stop. A cracking noise came from my foot as I hooked my left baby toe in a "Hip Waider" rubber boot, laying on its side.
35 years later my baby toe still reminds me, Always wear shoes while cycling!

Bicycles Without Cars

For years I ran my Raleigh Refurbishing shop without a car. It was only after I had my daughter that I needed Auto Transportation.
I always loved cars. The first adult thing wanted was a knife and the second a car.
I remember when I was six years old a neighbor bought a Austin Healey 3000. It was a gold and it look had me hooked. I didn't know it was British, I just loved the way it looked.
After moving to Dover at age 9, I got into gas powered things. I learned at an early age that gas powered bicycles were a bad idea when after being stopped going 60 mph on Walpole street with my 2 stroke South Bend powered Mini Bike. It got taken away.
After crashing on a friends Honda 50, I went back to Bicycles. I hated dealing with the police when I went for a ride, so Powerless 2 wheelers were safer in all senses.

When it came time to cars, my older brother had already taken up all the space in the yard. He had 3. My favorite was a 1949 Crown Victoria. Beautiful. There was always an engine out in the garage or basement.
My Mom had grown up in a family of Car repair people and musisians. During the day they worked on cars and at night, a Swing Band. Its how my Mom and Dad met. It was nothing new to have banging coming from the basement. Music, cars and children was her life. It wouldn't be right unless some kind of Fine Touring Automobile wasn't parked near by. It was nothing to her even up to her last years of life to hop in a car and drive to Montreal or Williamsburg, VA.
I stuck to the Bicycles and started a collection of my own in a corner of the basement.

As years went on, it became a hard habit to break. Fixing bikes for others when the bike boom of the 70's hit was a easy way to make extra money. We always had a shop and with a lathe, grinding wheels and power machine tools it became easy to fix anything. If we didn't have, we made it.
The Dover Dump was a gold mine back then and still is. People with money throw good things out just for more space. The dump was a "University of knowledge" just waiting to be picked for free. Get it and take it apart, Throw it back if it cant be fixed. The best place in the world to shop! If it doesn't work out, simply return it.
The thought of asking for help with moving bikes with a car never crossed my mind. A bicycle trailer seemed as possible as a bicycle headlight as powerful as a car's. That was then and this is now.
Riding two bicycles at the same time was common. Everyone knew how to do it. The bicycles become a 4 wheeled vehicle and if anything happens, just let go.
My longest 2 bike ride to date was with a Raleigh I bought at International Bicycle in Allston and rode 10 miles to Wheelworks in Belmont. When I arrived, Clint saw me and asked, "Where's your helmet?" He didn't see anything strange about riding 2 bikes because he had done it too.
My favorite 2 bike ride was a ride from Chestnut hill Ave. in Brighton to International bicycle in Allston.
I had been hooked up to pilot a tandem with a blind cyclist by the name of Pam. The plan was to meet Pam at her house and bring her tandem to the street, get her on the bike and then along side, wheel my Custom Campagnolo equipped Fixed gear. We were going to the store, drop off my bike, ride the tandem out to Dover and be back by 12:00. She was going to drop off the tandem for repair and take a cab home. I would work the day and ride back to Dover afterwards.
We headed out for what was first down hill into a very busy intersection, turn right and then it would be mostly flat. As we started out down the hill I realized that the Scott Peterson Brakes did not work. No brakes on a tandem is not a good thing, But one handed with an expensive bike in hand is really a bad idea.
I called back to Pam, "You will hear a metallic scraping noise to your right that we will pass. Don't be alarmed, it will be my bicycle."
Pam asked, "Why"
I told her, "Because your tandem has no brakes!"
She said, "Oh ya, that"s why I'm bringing it in for repair."
We made it to the store and with a few adjustments, headed out for our ride safely.

Riding two bicycles after that day seemed easier. Never again did I Not check the brakes of the "Mother Ship" and never felt the need for a car when it came time to move a Bicycle.

The Perfect Picnic

Packing for a picnic and not sure what to bring? Funny, anything goes well with outdoor eating, Its just how elaborate you want to make it as to how long it will be remembered.
The time of day is important. Breakfast or brunch picnics are unique and can bring back smiles years later. Its important to have hot food, so a good stove is a good idea. If your reading this, you probably have one or know someone that does. I have gone from a one burner Optimus 8R, white gas stove to a 2 burner Coleman. Its worth having the extra weight and size to have the extra cooking surface. Bacon, although not what I like to eat, Can make a Breakfast Picnic. The smell on the open air with fresh coffee has strangers coming out of the wood, always with a huge smile. "That Smells Good!", Well Ya, its Bacon!
Lunch picnics can be simpler. I carry a table cloth and silver service for two most of the time, just in case. One of my favorite was a full Chinese dinner in a cemetery in Lynfield during a ride from Dover about 35 years ago. We found a stone bench and turned it into a dinner table with the tablecloth. We sat on the ground and feasted.
Dinner seems to be the most popular time to picnic. At the end of the day, finding a new outdoor spot with a view can be the most magical of moments. Again, anything goes. Grab and run, Pack the basket and blanket and head out. Candle light with a little soft music can make any food taste better. As the sun goes down and the bugs move in, it best to be sure to be on high ground for a breeze. Its also nice leaving after packing up to simply roll away.

Picnic in the Pyrenees

In all cases, any food works well, Bring what you have from the kitchen or plan ahead Pizza for breakfast will even work. Its not the food that makes the picnic, its the company.
But, by far, the number one thing to at all times to include , and never forget, is your Raleigh!

Dump Pick Raleigh

There is something very special about a bicycle you pick from the dump. Saving it from the crusher and putting it back on the road for an extended life of real bicycle adventure.
I have had many. My first Golden Arrow came from the Sherborn dump. I got the frame and fork with its Brooks B19 saddle, Black enameled North Road bars, and Raleigh 3 pin crankset. I got the wheels the next week because they had not been thrown out yet. Dunlop 26 x 1 1/4 lightweight Endrick Pattern rims, Fixed and free with a Bayless Wiley 19 tooth freewheel. Very cool bearing design, the B-W had a very different style of bearings that since I have never seen again. Ball and a dimple ended curved rod about 1/4" long and another ball, then another rod, And the Raleigh Wing nuts, Oh those Raleigh Wing nuts!
Anyone can go into a store and buy a bike. With enough time and money, one might find exactly what they want. Shopping the dump is totally different. Its all by luck. Timing is everything but its hard not to feel that you saved the bike and maybe its not by chance that you found it. Of course its a free bike, but when it comes down to it, the money or lack of it, is not the best part.
The first ride on the "Dump Pick Raleigh" has you smiling in short order. It's not long before it strikes you. "How could anybody through this out?" How different it is to enjoy a Dump Pick as much as the next guy on his $5000.00 carbon 11 speed, maybe more.

Then it hits you, maybe its worth more. When you can lean your bike against a store window and come out and find it, you realize full bicycle freedom and what cycling should be. Hop on and go. Lock it where you want. Happy and Heads up. Bike and rider, "One."

You Found It

Woops!

About 15 years ago I met a fellow who had been sent to me for a used 3 speed. I was known back then as the guy with the old British Bicycles, so it wasn't so odd have a stranger come up to me and ask.
I told him that I could find him a nice Rudge or Raleigh 21" 3 speed for around $150. It would take me around a week.
He said "Oh", in a not so enthusiastic way. I could tell the price was not at all what he had in mind. He said that things were tough and $150 was a bit high for him. I think he was thinking more like for free.
I told him that if he went out early, before the trash got picked up, he might just find one being thrown away, Things like that still do happen. It was around the end of the school year and Harvard has been known to toss the most amazing things from the dorms at commencement.
He replied with an "Oh" that was longer and deeper then the last as he looked at down at his feet.
I had to ask, "Whats up?"
He told me, "Well, its all my fault. Last week as I was heading off to work and at the last second before hopping on my bike, I remembered that I had left something in the house. I ran in to get it and when I came out, My Raleigh was gone."
I told him, "Well not your fault, some dope stole it!"
He said, "Well yes its my fault, I leaned it up next to our apartment buildings pile of trash left for pick up. I don't think that the person who stole it realized it wasn't being thrown out."
Sorry!

One More

Road Find

Stopping has it's rewards.

The "Unnoticed"

Since the early 70's and the beginning of my love relationship with the Raleigh Roadster I have come across many, "3 Speed People" Its not always obvious, but at special times of my cycling life, it comes out in conversation.
Most 3 Speed People don't consider them self as an athlete. They hardly look at them self's as a cyclist at all, but when the subject of bicycles comes up they in most cases say something like, "Oh I have a bike, Its just an old 3 speed." Embarrassed to admit there love for what they think wont be admired by someone riding some new 14 pound Carbon rocket.
Never once has the new "3 Speed Person" acquaintance taken me seriously when I say, "That's my favorite style of bike" It usually takes more story telling to convince the person that I'm in fact telling the truth.
Three Speed People have many similar traits. They love a good book. They love going somewhere on their 3 Speed and finding a shady spot to read a good book.
Don't get me wrong, most 10 speed folk like good books too, but if the shady spot part appeals to you, then maybe its time for a 3 speed.
Three Speed People don't wear special clothing for their rides. They wear clothing.

Three Speed People for the most part don't "Sprocket Talk" It bores them. They would rather talk of beautiful places and beautiful friends and beautiful times with beautiful friends in beautiful places. Slow going in a rush-rush world. Heads up and happy. They smile when they ride because it makes them do so. The challenge of heavy bike and 3 speeds never comes up. They would never think about how far they could ride or how fast. They never compare there "3 Speed Achievements" to other riders. They don't stand along side of friends bikes and squeeze brake levers and lift their bikes, Well maybe to see how heavy it is and not how light. I have always wanted to finish a time trial last on my Roadster with a "Mess of fish" in my wicker basket.
Three speed people like riding in the rain. They have fenders. They talk about the smells, the sounds, the lighting and the rides finish, usually at some beautiful spot. Three Speed People Love Life's simple pleasures as well as difficult tasks. The love people and special moments with friends. They dont need to try to be better, they just are because of just that. Three Speed People don't take them self's too seriously allowing them to at the same time take their surroundings, friends and family very seriously. They see more, find more, enjoy more. They eat real food on rides and not "Powerbars" They take the time to stop.

They use their bike to go to the beach. They ride to the store, to the library or just visit. They don't carry a cell phone to text, They prefer knocking on a door to say "Hello" rather "Thumbing" a keyboard. The "Walking Machine" and not much faster. A "Pace Line" to them is some part on some dirt path somewhere where they dismount, lift the bike and get back on the trail. If done right, its the shortest line. Let it fall and go play ball. Well, not fall. They carry more things, sometimes even their pets.

Sheldon and Cutler West

Three Speed People sometimes hear things like, "You rode from where on that?"

Here's where it becomes complicated: Three Speed People are. They can become over time, but just like putting on a Bunny Suit doesn't turn you into a rabbit, buying and riding a 3 speed, may not turn you into a 3 Speed Person. Its a way of life and a way of mind.

The 3 Speed Person is part of the New England scenery. They have been and will be. Roadster and Rider fit, Elegant and proper not always Understood and only sometimes, Unnoticed.

Touch Up Paint

Its funny how customers think we have touch up paint. Scratches and dings in their paint become our problem the moment they walk through the door.
Manufactures pride themselves in painting their new models in colors never seen before. Something that stands out on the sales floor is a good idea, but when it comes to making an old bike look new, it gets hard.
We always suggest nail polish, but, "nail polish is for girls!" is the look I get from the guys.
We had a "Smart Guy" that came into the store about 10 years ago that was going to find a place for himself in the bicycle market. He seemed to have some money to start with and asked,"If there was anything you would want to have that isn't available for your customers, what would it be?"
The first thing to come to mind was touch up paint.
Turns out the reason it isn't available is because its paint.
Paint, because of state and federal regulations is hard to make and harder to sell.
He bailed out and moved onto bike polish, (an item we didn't need.)
Bianchi "Celeste" seems to be the hardest to find, But with ever increasing supply of nail salons and the desire to have unique nails, nail polish still seems to be the best answer.
Good thing the Raleigh is black!

Jim's DL 1

A certain style and elegance surrounds DL 1 owners. The love for life and its pleasures at a speed to enjoy it all.
This photo came in this morning and started my day off right. Wouldn't it be nice to ride from this spot today? Tea Anyone?

Thank You Jim!

So Whats With the DL 1?

Why would anybody want to ride a bike that is twice the size and weight of any other bicycle? Why do their owners love them so?

Mostly steel, the Raleigh DL 1, has not changed in design for over 90 years. Rod pull brakes need to be understood to stop. Hopping on a DL 1 can be an adventure all in it self

The first thing you notice is how far away the front of the bicycle is from where your sitting. Two Zip Codes away is how some put it. The wheels are huge, the tallest of any pneumatic road tire available. They measure 28 1/2" and roll over anything smoothly.
My bike measures 6 1/2 feet long and weighs over 45 pounds. When you get a bike like this up to speed, it seems to want to roll for ever.
People describe riding a DL 1 to like the ride of a Cadillac. That is what I heard first when I was told of the model sold at Olkens in Wellesly in the early 70's.
Not many were sold, but Richard Olken, brother of Benny from the Bi-Ex, did stock the bike. Hearing about the bike without seeing one first, it was hard for me to understand why one would ever want such a bicycle. It only took one ride.

The DL 1's and Hurricane Mountain Road

Back in the late 70's when I first started riding a DL-1, we took them everywhere.There wasn't a place that we had been on our "Lightweights" that we had not wanted to ride with what were now our favorite every day bikes.
Having a few days off from work, Good friend,Steve Fagon and myself went up to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, parked his car and headed off for an overnight ride and camp out.
Lightly loaded we left his VW Squareback parked in Ashland NH and headed north.
It was late Summer and the weather was perfect for a ride and overnight stay in the woods. We arrived late in the afternoon, so finding a place to camp off the road was first on the list of things to do.
We woke the next morning for a nice breakfast of hot coffee and Swiss Familia. Powdered milk kept cold overnight in the river's rushing water made it almost taste good.
Without a plan of where to ride, I remembered that the company that made my Gortex jacket, "Log House Designs" was possibly near by. All first issue Gourtex fabric delaminated causing big ugly bubbles all over the jacket. It still worked fine, But because of its ugliness, It had been recalled and makers of Gourtex clothing were exchanging your old for their new.
The tag on my jacket said, "Chatam NH" but looking my map I couldn't find anything close to that name.
We packed up and headed to town to find a phone booth and call to find if it made sense to do the ride.
The folks on the phone were great, They said Yes, we will be happy to exchange your jacket. I told them where we were and asked them the best way to ride. It sounded simple, "Head 12 miles South, 6 miles West, 18 miles North and you will be here."
I said, that's all fine, but how about if we just head 6 miles West and then 6 miles north?
The voice on the phone said," You can't go that way, You would have to ride up and over Hurricane Mountain Road!"
Funny, Hearing the word "Can't" was all the more of a reason to do it.
We had never heard of the road before. We knew about the "Toll Road" And the road to "The Cog", but never Hurricane Mountain Road. It sounds great, doesn't it? Maybe constant strong winds caused it to be called "Hurricane." Yes, all the more reason.

We started out going up. Constant up and then up some more. Up and up. There were times that passing cars looks as if they were not going to make it. The look on the passengers faces were like they were looking at ghosts. Us.
It got to the point that Steve realized that he might leave thing behind to later come back and pick them up. I told him, "I'm not climbing this again today, so if your leaving anything, say good by to it."
He removed his kickstand and bolted it to a sign of a truck going up hill through a bullet hole.

We made it to what seemed to be the top, but it kept going up. I started to think that the voice on the phone was right, You cant ride over "Hurricane Mountain Road on a Bicycle."
It took us a while to finally reach the top. The only thing worse then the climb was the decent on the Maine side. The road crossed over the state line and if you have ever ridden over state lines on back roads, you would know that neither state cares enough about the surface to keep it smooth. Rod Brakes worked well on the down hill, It was all a matter of stopping every once and a while and then heading off again. Fast.

We arrived at "Log House Designs" in Chatham. Funny the only way to get to this New Hampshire town was to go into Maine. The staff was so impressed that we had made it, they stopped work and came out to see what they called "Our Special Bikes" One person called them "Mountain Bicycles" years before we ever heard that name used again.


Check out this video of a ride down what we rode up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwCnWK4PhFA

Warrens Raleigh Roadster

Good friend and long time riding partner, Warren has been riding Raleighs off road before the Mountain Bike Craze , He was on the first Veterans Day Ride back in the late 70;s as well as last years.



His most resent acquisition to his collection is this Beautiful 1949 Raleigh Sports.
Beautiful shape, His Raleigh Roadster is the perfect specimen of a time gone by.


1949 Raleigh Sports

Starting Them Off Early

Some were lucky enough to experience the Roadster style at an early age. Check out this beauty the came into the shop the other day. Enjoy the Photographs


1950 Sunbeam Winkie



Chain Drive, 18" wheels, with a Gearcase!


Rod Brakes, Elegant!



There was a collection of pebbles in the seatbag. They had been there for 58 years!

Sunday Breakfast Ride

Another Beautiful day on Planet Earth. This past Sunday morning was the best weather for enjoying,,, period!

The rain from the night kept the dust down and made the air clear, clean and crisp. Cool in the shade, warm in the sun! "Intoxicating!" is how my friend William would have said it. New England at its finest.

Concord Center was in full swing. The bustling little village was swarming with life. Smiles galore.

A wonderful breakfast was had by all!



Back on the Battle Road, for the most part, all to ourselves . Lets hear it for the unpaved trails!


Ain't Life Grand!

Hot Fun in the Summer Time

Is there any better way to enjoy a hot summer day then on your Raleigh Roadster on a beautiful shaded country road. Away from cars, that only seem to make things hotter, the Raleigh Roadster carries you along as if on a cloud.
Getting out early and staying in the shade is the best trick for enjoying the Summer heat.
There is a big difference today between the temperature in the sun and the temperature in the shade.
Week day New England bicycle touring has you riding alone. Enjoy the day and remember to bring something cool to drink!

Stuck Cotter Blues

There are two types of Raleigh Roadsters collectors. The ones that have had a stuck crank cotter and the ones that haven't had a stuck cotter yet.
"They just don't make them like they use to!" and its a good thing they don't. Stuck cotters are no fun at all. You know it is stuck almost as soon as you start to remove the crank. Pounding on a cotter that is completely bent over from a press usually doesn't help and can bend a BB Spindle.
Time to drill. Carefully cut off the top with a hack saw. Drilling will eventually free a stuck crank, but it can take up to an hour and if your not careful, you can ruin a good Bottom Bracket Spindle by drilling through the flat.
My advice to those in the hell of stuck cotter removal is from a good friend Chris Cooper. Cooper advises to simply ride with the nut and washer removed after soaking the cotter and crank with some kind of thin oil. Surprisingly enough, It works!
Look at it this way, wouldn't you rather ride the bike instead of working on it? This way you are doing both!

Simple Tips About Adjusting Rod Brakes.

Its funny how I read and hear about Rod Brakes, or what some call, roller brakes. For the most part, its all bad news.
Rod Brakes scare most mechanics. They don't understand them. They say they do, but if they cant adjust them to work, they don't.
The brake is simple. Its multi pivots and binder bolts confuse the best Wrench. They for the most part, don't know where to start.
Let me first say, Adjusted correctly with fresh pads, Rod Brakes work great. I have used them in the Berkshires, Green Mountains and in the Whites. Hurricane Mountain Road comes to mind. A hill so steep its scares the rider of any style braking system.
The first thing to understand is that most Rod Brake bikes were never set up correctly to begin with.

Out of the box, they were never right and when delivered to the customer, they were never adjusted. Figure you have only ridden rod brakes that were not set up correctly if you don't think they will ever work safely.
The quick fix is to raise the Handle Bars. About 1/4 inch will suffice. This by design of the brakes will move the pads closer to the front and rear rim at the same time.
Next, make sure the pads are hitting the rim correctly, Out of line brake pads wont stop the bike, so loosen the holder and with a rosin or rubber mallet, knock them into line.


The most important thing about Rod Brake Adjustment is Brake Lever Throw. If you don't have enough throw, you wont have enough leverage. To adjust this, its time to do some metal bending.



Hold the lever at the out most boss, or handle bar mounting. Be careful not to allow the boss to be used as a bending point or else you could strip it from the bar and then its all over.
Hold the bar and lever and bend down on the lever. Its soft enough that over time, you will need to do this again. The bend for most unadjusted rod brake levers will be about 1".

Proper adjusted rod brakes will have the bike stopping safely. It take a little time for the pad and rim to adjust, but over time ,they will smooth out and cause less front end shutter. Remember, wet steel rims need to be warmed and wiped before sure stopping. In the rain. I like to ride with the brakes on every once in a while.
The DL 1 is my bike of choice for deep snow, winter commuting. Big wheels and just the right tire cross section are perfect and with these simple tips about adjusting rod brakes, will have you stopping as well as any cable style system.

The Fathers Day Ride

So you say, "Hey!, How Come I wasn't told about the fathers day ride?"

Turns out everyone that would have showed up, showed up!

A New Day has Come. No Busrug adventure is complete with out lubing up the Raleighs. This time, The Raleigh Riders.



The Man with the "Special Lubricant"

Funny the older can of Lube tasted just like "Sambuca" and the newer "Lube" like "Kahlua"





Funny how good this old oil tasted in our coffee!

What a beautiful day for such a special event. Three riders, Three smiles.
The Raleigh's did their part suppling total enjoyment for the on and off road Bosrug Fathers Day Adventure.







An Extra special breakfast at the Main Street Market, Cafe in Concord Center was had by the riders 3, and back on the road to finish with the "Battle Road"







I Hope you had a wonderful Fathers Day!

Happy Fathers Day

My Father was not a cyclist. I don't think I ever saw him even sit on one. He provided many a bike for us Chamberlain's, but never one for himself.
He knew how to fix them as well as anything around the house.
I once gave him the book "Bicycles and Tricycles" A 536 page book by Archibald Sharp, reprinted by the MIT press about bicycle design from 1896's. He read it in one afternoon. I asked him, "What did you think?" His comment was, "Not bad if you like pluming." He wasn't trying to be funny. He was a designer for Raytheon and had hundreds of pattens.
I don't remember him working without a "Lucky Strike" near by. He loved those things, but quit overnight when he was told to.
We were always allowed to ride. Out of town tours were common at age 6. As long as we promised to walk across intersections, we could venture into other towns, exploring at an early age. We always traveled with friends, never alone. Rides of 20 miles before I was 10 had us seeing the world on our own and at the same time giving my mom a break and a little quiet.
I remember we use to drive my father crazy going in and out of the house all day long. He put a counter on the door just to keep track for the fun of it. We broke it in short order. It's no wonder he didn't mind us riding off for the day.
I miss my Dad, I can't imagine ever riding with him, just not his thing, but he knew how much we loved it and always provided us what we needed to continue our adventures.

He would have been 96 years old on June 18th.

What a great time of year!

I Always Carry a Camera.

I always carry a camera, sometimes two.
I was told back in the early 70's to NEVER carry a camera in a bag on the bike.
The reason was because of the road shock, the camera will eventually get beat up. The couple were a Husband and Wife Film company in Bennington, VT. They went on to tell me that the edges of the lens elements cant withstand the shock and will develop marks that will eventually ruin the lens. Delicate electronics weren't designed to withstand pot holes, (Go Figure!)
As a result, a Mountainsmith waist pack is what I use for my antique cameras and a small Jannd waist pack when its raining for the GoPro.



Some of my cameras are light enough to not suffer to much with the constant abuse of our New England roads, but sometimes good as well as bad habits are hard to break. Having the cameras on me to absorbe the shock has worked well over time.

Carry a camera with you any way you can and use it a lot. Having to carry it in a bag attached to your frame is better then no camera at all, but think about it, Would you want to be in the bag while someone is riding on these streets?

Another Rider Checks In

I had another Raleigh Roadster Rider check in yesterday. Its so nice to see folks enjoying my work. Thank You Don!

Scott,

My wife and I ride Raleigh Roadsters, a 1948 and a 1978 Tourist. We
have the same leg inseam allowing two mens bikes to make a pair. We
use these on the gravel roads near us in SE Michigan. As you suggest,
this is where nature actually exists without automotive blur. As a
fortieth wedding anniversary I gave Suzanne a set of Brooks roll up
panniers. She finds them delightful for farm market shopping. They
also look good in the up position, suggesting forward movement.

Don

Rainy Day, Raleigh Roadster

A Rainy Day is good for a lot of things.Sometimes the last thing to come to mind is a bicycle ride.
What better bike to take out then a bicycle that was designed for a rainy world. The Raleigh Roadster is just that. Full fendered, up high and comfortable! Slow going will have you missing some of the rain drops and smelling the clean air. Hard not to smile.
Sunny days bring everyone out. Bike trails become a human slalom course. Nice to be alone with the one you want to ride with and see only the daring. Walkers and commuters alike don't miss the sun when it comes to extra space in the places we love to ride.
Enjoy the day on your Raleigh Roadster and remember to warn the walkers by shouting "No Brakes!"

This Made My Day!

A simple note from a reader came in yesterday morning. Its great to see that someone enjoys my blog enough to take the time to wright. Thank You Bruce!



Hello Scott,
I have just recently found your blog while searching around for images of older Raleigh roadsters. It has been completely enjoyable reading your observations of the hobby.
Your writing, pictures, and website design are all beautiful, and to my mind very evocative of the three speed experience.
Restoring Raleigh three speeds has been a hobby of mine for about 5 years. My wife and I use them for errands and for pleasure cruises around town.
We also sometimes take them with us on day trips to islands off the coast, or to Acadia Park. It is one of lifes simple pleasures.
I will be a regular visitor to your blog, and look forward to your future articles. Thank you for the gift.
Bruce

Sunny Sunday

What a beautiful day for a ride. Perfect for a Raleigh Roadster. Too nice to ride with your head down, seeing nothing but the broken glass and cigarette butts.



Heads up and happy at a speed that you won't miss a thing. Roll it out and roll out! Getting passed by the heads down riders isn't as bad as having to ride like them. I love it when they go away extra fast!
Heads up riding with good friends on a Sunny Sunday is a Lovely way to ride.

The Matched Pair

Its hard to find with people, harder to find with bicycles.

Its not often you find the perfect couple. Relationships are tough and what one person loves, your lucky if the other sorta likes.
You sometimes wonder why couples stick together and their motives. One might guess, but one can only hope that their "Stick to It" is solely love.
You hear of couples that are celebrating there 40th anniversary. Forty years is a long time to stay as two. You really have to congratulate folks for dealing with another person after the honeymoon is over and keeping the flame burning.
Call it luck, but what ever, lucky are the few that can stick to the plan and follow through for the good of it all.


Forty year old Matched Pair of Raleigh DL-1's

Matched bicycles are hard to find. Years of collecting I have only come across 3 sets of bikes that were purchased on the same day as a men's and women's pair. You can two bikes that are alike and match their components, but its just not the same. Reason of love were their connect but in most cases, in time they get split up. The men's gets run into the ground while the women's, sits and waits.

Many a women's bike has been bought only to be dismantled and its parts used to restore a men's model. Its true. Ask any collector and they will tell you that men's bike sell for more and the only reason to purchase a women's is for parts. Usually for about one quarter the price.

Having a matched pair of mens and womens bicycles that were originally purchased together is rare. Keeping the pair together makes using the bikes extra special and all the more reason of enjoyment. People notice and smile. A ring of their bells and a friendly good morning, the matched pair will roll gracefully, forward in time.