Update:
It’s been a while since this thread was updated but a lot has happened since. One thing is for sure, the fun never ends with this bike.
A few months after the build the bike was the ‘Featured Bike for the Month’ for March 2009. The first time any of my bikes had made the front page of Retrobike, what a buzz seeing my pride and joy on the home page each time I logged on.
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/?p=205
Although the bike failed to make BoTM (Bike of The Month) at it’s first attempt, it was deemed worthy in a ‘Team Bike’ BoTM special in June 2009. A great honour for me and once more the Raleigh graced the front page of Retrobike.
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/?p=279
The bike has been well ridden since it’s restoration and I’ve very much enjoyed doing the riding. It has completed many of the Retrobike meets this year and so I thought I’d update this thread with a few pictures.
North East and Yorkshire Group Meets:
Scunthorpe Meet:
Retrobike Big Dirty Weekend:
Since joining Retrobike my aim has been to start competing again after many years away from the sport. The Raleigh has been integral in bringing my fitness levels back to a reasonable standard. The great thing about this bike is you cover the miles so quickly as really is a no nonsense machine that just wants to go from A to B quickly with no frills. Often you find many miles have passed as you reminisce about the bikes history and wonder what stories it would tell if it could. So with fitness levels on the up I’ve competed for the first time since 1993, firstly at the Hell of the North Cotswolds (HoNC) endurance event and then later my first race back at the Original Source Mountain Mayhem 09.
HoNC:
Original Source Mountain Mayhem 09:
The Raleigh adventure will continue with ‘Mr. K’s Day in the Peaks’ later this year and the ‘Kielder Octoberfest Marathon‘. I would have liked to have taken the bike over to Holland for the ‘First Old World MTB Championships’, but sadly a leave pass isn’t forthcoming on this occasion. Hopefully next year we can tempt Adrian Timmis to come and ride the event when it comes to the UK and reunite him with his old steed once more.
Obviously the bike has been well ridden and suffered a few knocks along the away. It’s had a couple of minor mechanicals and I’ve subjected it to a few spills too. But that’s what the bike was built for. I do try and give it as easy a life as possible, but the problem is it’s just too good not to ride.
To summarise the fun just does not end with this bike and I already know there are many more tales and pictures just around the corner, so another update cannot be far away.
Many thanks to all the photographers also Gus, Jack, Si, Daj to name but a few.