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6 years ago I was on the cusp of 40 and in time honoured fashion wanted to celebrate in a suitable manner (no, not that way, hookers appear chronologically much later in this tale). My Mate Dave had always talked about his Raid Pyrenean adventure, so, with his able logistical support, I decided to take on the major climbs in the Pyrennes, the Tormalet, Aspin, Aubisque etc. I was pretty fit from running and thought that would see me through. After 96 miles in 38C on the first days it was clear that this approach was fundamentally flawed. Over the next week climbs followed, descents were avoided (what’s the point in a hire car unless you’re prepared to use it?) and My Mate Dave’s smiling face, as he leaned out of the window to offer what...

Another year, another excellent Peaks meet. For 2012 the meet was part of the Retrobike 2012 National Events series and was kindly supported by Bikefood. Once again the meet proved to be one of the most well attended of the season with almost forty riders out. Plenty of quality old school metal was on display, everything from a 80s Dawes to a box fresh Klein. The full Retrobike Peaks Ride aftermath thread can be found here

The August 2012 'British Special' Bike of The Month contest was taken by Sinnnerman's Hardisty JMC Replica. Another fine vicotry for sinnerman with yet another iconic ride. The full result is as follows 1. Sinnnerman's Hardisty JMC Replica 2. JeRky's Chas Roberts D.O.G.S.B.O.L.X 3. makster's 1990 Overbury's Pioneer Now taking nominations for the September 2012 BoTM here. Click here for more details and full results The August 2012 'British Special' Bike of The Month top three are as follows 1. Sinnnerman's Hardisty JMC Replica Click here for Sinnnerman's Hardisty JMC Replica build thread. 2. JeRky's Chas Roberts D.O.G.S.B.O.L.X Click here for JeRky's Chas Roberts D.O.G.S.B.O.L.X build thread. 3. makster's 1990...

Tom Warmerdam is the man behind the uber small scale frameworks that is Demon Frameworks. Making custom designs and now a signature series available at Mosquito Bikes in London, Tom's tiny workshop in Southampton, England has never known it so busy. Winning the 'Best Road Bike' category at the 2012 NAHMBS earlier this year has just gone to put Demon on the radar of the bike world globally and so I went down to sunny Hampshire to catch up with Tom and get to the heart of what he's all about. For more on the subject, this month's Peloton Magazine no 14 (out now) has a feature on the workshop tour I received when we hooked up recently. Retrobike: Hi Tom, tell us, how's business in 2012? Tom Warmerdam: Hello Retrobike. It's picking up...

The July 2012 road Bike of The Month 'Tour de France Special' contest was taken by Bushpig's Team Z Calfee Lemond, Miguel Arroyo's ex-team bike. Second was taken by Ian Raleigh's Motobecane La Redoute and third was taken by between Pondlife's Merckx Titane GAN :D The full result is as follows 1. Bushpig's Team Z Calfee Lemond 2. Ian Raleigh's Motobecane La Redoute 3. Pondlife's Merckx Titane GAN Now taking nominations for the August / September 2012 rBoTM contest. Click here for more details and full results The July 2012 road Bike of The Month top three are as follows 1. Bushpig's Team Z Calfee Lemond 2. Ian Raleigh's Motobecane La Redoute Click here for Ian Raleigh's Motobecane La Redoute build thread. 3...

The July 2012 Bike of The Month contest was taken by wtb_rider's Brodie Catalyst. Yet another win for wtb_rider and Brodie :) The full results is as follows 1. wtb_rider's Brodie Catalyst 2. Def's 1993 Kona Hei Hei 3. elite504's Yeti ARC AS/ LT prototype The August 2012 "Brisitsh Special" Poll is now up, get your votes in here. Click here for more details and full results The July 2012 Bike of The Month top three are as follows 1st wtb_rider's Brodie Catalyst 2nd Def's 1993 Kona Hei Hei Click here for Def's 1993 Kona Hei Hei build thread. 3rd elite504's Yeti ARC AS/ LT prototype Click here for elite504's Yeti ARC AS/ LT prototype build thread.

Round 5 of the Retrobike National Event Series with support from Bikefood took place North of the Border at Innerleithen. Another great day out, click here for full aftermath.

The June 2012 Photo of The Month (PoTM) contest was won by zigzag's 'Water, Water, Everywhere'. Click here to see zigzag's shot in all it's glory 1. zigzag's 'Water, Water, Everywhere'

The June 2012 road Bike of The Month contest was taken by 531 pro's 1988 Peugeot Aravis 531 Professional - another great month. Second was taken by Huggie's 1978 Gitane Olympic Record 531 and third was taken by between cipolinni's 1963 Falcon San-Remo Equipe :D The full result is as follows 1. 531 pro's 1988 Peugeot Aravis 531 Professional 2. Huggie's 1978 Gitane Olympic Record 531 3. cipolinni's 1963 Falcon San-Remo Equipe Now taking nominations for the July 2012 rBoTM "Tour de France Special" contest. Click here for more details and full results The June 2012 road Bike of The Month top three are as follows 1. 531 pro's 1988 Peugeot Aravis 531 Professional Click here for 531 pro's 1988 Peugeot Aravis 531 Professional build...

The June 2012 'Dead End Special' Bike of The Month contest was taken by Stumpjumper1990's 1990 Laïti . The unusual machine will be featured in next month's mbr magazine and Stumpjumper1990 will receive a years subscription to the magazine. The full result is as follows 1. Stumpjumper1990's 1990 Laïti 2. oneschnark's 1995 Progear 3. felixdelrio's Action Tec F-16 Now taking nominations for the July 2012 BoTM here. Click here for more details and full results The June 2012 'Dead End Special' Bike of The Month top three are as follows 1. Stumpjumper1990's 1990 Laïti 2. oneschnark's 1995 Progear Click here for oneschnark's 1995 Progear build thread. 3. felixdelrio's Action Tec F-16

The fourth round of the 2012 Retrobike National Event Series with support from Bikefood saw twenty brave riders ignore the Met Office forecast and enjoy the excellent trails on the Yorkshire Dales. Click here for full aftermath.

Another year, another outstanding Retrobike raid on Mountain Mayhem. The weather may have made the main event a little flat but the retrobike camp was bigger and better than ever –we’ve almost got our own event within an event :cool: Check the Retrobike MM12 aftermath thread for the full reports. Highlights include- • Camp Retrobike. A ray of sunshine amongst the mud. Or something. • Support from Bikefood and Church End Brewery. • Retrobike Beer, BBQ and tunes. • Some riding. It was muddy. • Supporting / heckling riders. Bring on the sunshine for MM 2013 :)

Mountain Mayhem 2012 is looking to be the biggest and best ever for Retrobike. The weekend's schedule is now finalised. So whether you're racing solo or just coming along to hang out and heckle there will be something for you. Click here for full schedule. Once again we'll be supported in our efforts by Bikefood who will be supplying Sports Nutrition. We're also getting support from Church End Brewery who'll be supplying some Retrobike Beer :D Highlights include • The Retrobike Concours Show • BBQ • Retrobike Beer • International Dual Jenga Knockout • Flea Market • DJ Isosceles • The Blagathon • Trackside heckle tent • The megaphone • The intruder • Some racing (perhaps). See you at MM :D

The May 2012 road Bike of The Month contest was taken by Raleighmad's Raleigh 753 - another excellent month. Second was taken by SYN-CROSSIS' 1997 Merlin Extralight Road and third was shared between Gavr's Harry Hall and Ian Raleigh's Motobecane La Redoute :D The full result is as follows 1. Raleighmad's Raleigh 753 2. Klasse's 1988 Mondonico Diamond 3. Gavr's Harry Hall SLX Now taking nominations for the June 2012 rBoTM contest. Click here for more details and full results The May 2012 road Bike of The Month top three are as follows 1. Raleighmad's Raleigh 753 2. Klasse's 1988 Mondonico Diamond Click here for Klasse's 1988 Mondonico Diamond build thread. 3. Gavr's Harry Hall SLX Click here for Gavr's Harry Hall SLX...

With thanks to Roger B on the email we have now added the 1990 Alpinestars catalogue to the retrobike archive. Enjoy :)

The May 2012 Bike of The Month contest was taken by Wadsy's Dave Lloyd Beez Neez. Yet another win for the cult UK custom builder :) The mint Lloyd will be featured in next month's mbr magazine and Wadsy will receive a year’s subscription to the magazine. The full results is as follows 1. Wadsy's Dave Lloyd Beez Neez 2. Nader's 1993 Fat Chance Yo Eddy 3. yetifan.com's 1993 Yeti ARC AS LT (ex Myles Rockwell) Click here for more details and full results The May 2012 Bike of The Month top three are as follows 1st Wadsy's Dave Lloyd Beez Neez Click here for Wadsy's Dave Lloyd Beez Neez build thread. 2nd Nader's 1993 Fat Chance Yo Eddy Click here for Nader's 1993 Fat Chance Yo Eddy build thread. 3rd yetifan.com's 1993 Yeti...

Church End Brewery in North Warwickshire UK have brewed up this fine ale which is available now and for the next three weeks from selected pubs in the region and from the brewery direct. Brewers Karl and Spencer who are Retrobike regulars organised a road ride from the brewery over the weekend, click here for the aftermath, the retrobike beer was of course sampled mid and apres ride. In the name of journalistic integrity your correspondent sampled numerous pints of the ale over the long weekend (here in the UK at least) and is pleased to report the Retrobike ale not only has a fine taste but also has the desired and expected effects. If you can't get hold of any from the brewery you'll have a chance to sample some Retrobike beer at...