The first photographs are at our previous house, prior to February 2020

Bike storage .... this is all in two-thirds of a garage - at its peak the garage stored about 16 machines.

The tool board and hanging bike storage were rearranged several times between 2016 and 2019 - to optimise space and make room for some of the woodworking machines acquired.  I had divided the garage with a stud-work wall when we bought the house in 2000, to provide a store-room accessible from the house and the workshop space in about two-thirds of the area - the wall was removed in about September 2019 in preparation for selling the house.

 

 

Bikes hanging top-to-tail with some spare wheels too (I no longer have any of those bikes!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


We moved house in February 2020 - The new workshop has the bike fettling bench and toolboard on one side, and just 3 bikes hanging up (others are in the shed) just inside the garage doors.  The other side of the workshop also houses benches and woodworking machinery [see Woodwork section]


 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Some early black-and-white pictures

Tricycle -  Early 1950s - Rob takes up cycling!
The machine was manufactured by Triang and purchased as a birthday present from Morris’s in Mare Street, Hackney, London E9 by Rob’s grandparents.
The trike was passed on to his two brothers who managed to wreck it fairly comprehensively, and it then went to a jumble sale in about 1960.
Picture: Taken in our garden in Wanstead, London E11
 

 

 

 

 

Bicycle (unknown make) -  Probably pictured in about 1957 - rod-braked bike on which I achieved my Cycling Proficiency Badge at school - all I can remember is that it was red with 24” wheels, and very heavy.
When I was 11 this machine was replaced by a secondhand 26" wheel Rudge with 3 speed Sturmey Archer gears that was to be my school bike for about 4 years.
Picture: Outside our house in Buckhurst Hill, Essex
 

 

 

 

Wartime riding -  No, not me - it’s my father in what must have been about 1941 as he appears to be in RAF uniform.
Like father, like son with big-framed bikes … although I’m not too sure about those handlebars!
Picture: My father, John, at my grandparents’ house in Hackney, London E9
 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As well as the machines below . . . .  quite a few old machines have found their way from various places to the garage . . . to be stripped, re-fettled and kept, sold or given away - see the Gone section


Boardman ADV8.9E - electric touring bike

The Boardman ADV 8.9e is a fast and practical electric bike, with the Fazua Evation drive system - the motor and battery are housed one removable unit. Gearing is fairly low with an 11speed cassette and single chainring.

My machine has been retro-fitted with mudguards, pannier rack and a Brooks saddle - as well as a change from the "gravel bike tyres" to 32mm Schwalbe Marathon touring tyres.
Purchased in February 2022 - the picture is from the Boardman website. 


PlanetX Pro Carbon Disc - roadbike

Mid (? late) life crisis!!   I bought this new as a pure indulgence in August 2019. Well specced with Ultegra Groupset, Fulcrum Race wheels, disc brakes, carbon seatpost - and I upgraded the tyres to Schwalbe Pro One tubeless.  Bling was emphasised with red bits and pieces : valve caps, cable ferrules and end caps as well as a personalised top-cap on the headset and red Ortlieb under-saddle bag.  The only concession to modernity was to replace the saddle with a black Brooks B17 (laced in red).

The purchase of the bike was a different experience - I specced the bike, paid for it (less a discount) and then went to the PlanetX warehouse where, along with about 7 or 8 other customers with various bikes, I built the machine myself!  Being Cytech qualified gave me a bit of a start over the others! A great day out and something different. 

[I think PlanetX has discontinued the self-build option]


Van Nicholas Ti Ventus - roadbike
 
Having purchased the Van Nicholas Yukon I was delighted with the ride (albeit very limited use in the first twelve months of ownership) and in March 2015 acquired a s/h 2014 Van Nicholas Ventus Ti frame and Dedacciai carbon fork together with handlebars, saddle, seatpost, stem, Ti bottle cages etc - and built the complete machine up with some components from "stock" including a pair of wheels that came from a high-end Giant road bike and a few parts bought in.
 
The frame geometry gives me a pure road bike - being titanium it's amazingly light and with the low gear ratios I've chosen it should get me up hills reasonably comfortably.

June 2018 - rebuilt with a new 10-speed groupset to bring the transmission up-to-date (the original build had a mix of road and MTB components with old-style bar-end shifters) - and also fitted some titanium parts - stem, seatpost and bottle cages.
October 2022 - a further upgrade to a 40T cassette for a lower bottom gear, fitted using a Wolf tooth extended hanger. 


Van Nicholas Ti Yukon - tourer

In January 2014 the disposal of a number of machines and "stuff" over the previous few months had freed up space in my garage and provided funds for a new machine manufactured from exotic materials - Titanium and carbon fibre!

Purchased as frame and forks I used a mix of components from a previous project and some new components, the plan being to build a touring bike to, eventually, replace my venerable Dawes Galaxy.  Fitted with Schwalbe Marathon tyres, rack, mudguards, Brooks B17 etc. and ready for the road in early May 2014.

Unfortunately serious illness and some radical surgery kept me off the bike from mid-May until early March 2015.

The rack, stem, bottle-cages and seatpost were replaced with Titanium items (it's only money!) in November 2018 when the groupset was upgraded with a 10-speed set-up to bring the transmission up-to-date (the original build had a mix of road and MTB components with old-style bar-end shifters)


Rob's Grandchildren's machines


1 boy, 3 girls - the arrangement is that I own (and maintain!) the "fleet" of children's bikes and add to/dispose of them as they are outgrown.
 


 

 

 

 

Islabike CNOC 16
 
16" wheel, scaled-down bike, the next step from a balance bike, cutting out the stabiliser/training wheels stage.
UPDATE August 2015 : A further 16" Islabike has been acquired for a grand-daughter (cuurently 2.75 yo) an ebay bargain too good to miss - it'll keep until she's about 4.5/5 you.
UPDATE May 2018 : The first machine, having passed from the original recipient to his sister and then outgrown machine has now been sold.  ... and in keeping with Islabike secondhand prices, at very close to the original purchase cost.
 
Islabike Beinn 20 (Large)

 In stock (from November 2013) ready to succeed the 16" machine - an ebay opportunity that was too good to miss, despite being about 2 years before it will be needed!
A good clean, new cables and polish before wrapping and storing.
UPDATE February 2015 : Now in use, upgrading from the 16"
UPDATE March 2017 : A further model acquired, for my other daughter's daughter when she graduates from the 16"
 
Islabike Beinn 26 (small)

 Snapped up from an ad on a cycle forum in October 2016 -  two-years old and in excellent condition.
December 2017 : Another of these machines, in grey, acquired ready for future use.
 
Islabike Luath 700 (small)

 Another bargain that was too good to miss in May 2016. 
 


 

 

 

 

 

   Some pictures still to add.

 


. . but not forgotten - excluding another 3 or 4 frames that have come and gone.


Mrs Rob's Peugeot Riviera - sold in April 2022, just not ridden

Peugeot Riviera Mixte c late 1970s - acquired in October 2016 from the charity bike shop as a complete machine - all components except frame and forks were discarded and after a powder-coat to refresh it the stuff from the Claud Butler Majestique moved across.
 

 


Brompton - sold in February 2022, I just didn't use it enough.

The ultimate folder.  A Type T (M6R in Brompton's current specification) - purchased in February 2016 in a pretty sorry state - frame and components were all sound, just very dirty.

The machine is a 6 speed with a 3-speed hub gear and 2-speed "derailleur" (it's not really a deraileur, rather a chain pusher-cum-tensioner).

Refurbishment and servicing was undertaken with new parts, chain, right-hand pedal, cables/outers and retro-fitting the "fold stopper" clip between the main frame and swing rear frame - a pair of new tyres and a Brooks saddle. It also has the Brompton front luggage bag.


Orbea Gain eBike - tourer - sold in March 2021 as it was getting very little use as a result of my fitness improving and changes in cycling activity.

Purchased new in 2018.  With advancing years and some issues with post-cancer fitness I had been looking at an electric solution - possibly converting my faithful red Dawes Galaxy.  The more I looked at it any sort of conversion was always going to be a compromise - so when I saw that Orbea had introduced an eBike that didn't look like an eBike I took a look.  The Orbea Gain had fantastic write-ups in the cycling press in terms of quality, performance and value for money. 

The plan is to ride as much as possible in non-electric mode and just use the juice to help me up the hills. 

Sadly something will probably have to go as the n+1 factor is getting out of hand . . . again - it may have to be the much-loved Galaxy (it was, sold in June 2020)

As the photograph suggests it does look like a standard road-bike ... it's aluminium and weighs virtually the same as my steel Galaxy.  The motor is in the rear wheel (just looks like a larger hub) and the control is a very neat, small illuminated button on the top-tube, just behind the stem. The battery is housed in the down-tube and charged in-situ with a socket above the bottom bracket.  I've upgraded the tyres to Schwalbe Marathons, fitted a Brooks B17 saddle as well as mudguards and rack.

[Arguably the inability to remove the battery is a downside but after several tours with the bike I've had no problem in getting the charger connected to a power outlet]

 

 

Dawes Galaxy - Tourer - sold to another Galaxy enthusiast in June 2020   [After considerable heart-searching as the machine had become a good friend, if it hadn't been ridden for a while coming back to it was a bit like the pleasure (to me anyway) of putting on a very comfortable old, well-worn pair of corduroy trousers!]

1975 Reynolds 531 frame, purchased from eBay as a complete machine in pretty poor condition - I had it re-sprayed and rebuilt it with new wheels and most of other the components replaced.

This machine was used for the 935 mile End-to-End ride in 2005 (see Rob & Joe’s JOGLE ) - and further Boys’ Outings in 2006, 2007 & 2008 to the South of France, as well being my club-run work-horse.  In October 2009 it was repainted in a metallic lacquer red and rebuilt ready for future tours - new components included the headset, a small front rack, a replacement computer and better brakes.  It went on to complete a second End-to-End (LEJOG) many more club-runs. December 2013: Having completed a further two lengthy tours (WW1 battlefields in 2012 and Loire Valley/Paris in 2013) it's been necessary to renew the middle and outer chainrings together with the rear cassette.  The rims were well down on the indicator lines so, whilst not completely worn out, it was prudent to replace the rims - and while I was at it the hubs.  Oh, and it graduated to a Brooks B17, black, in 2011.
 
Claud Butler audax - fixed wheel - sold in February 2020

c 1982 Reynolds 531 frame and forks, purchased from a small ad in the CTC magazine.  Assembled with new and recycled components - new rear wheel with fixed hub built by Paul at the bike shop.
So what's it like I hear you ask?
The single gear with an absolutely basic drive-train gives minimal friction. With a reasonably low weight bike on 23mm tyres the responsiveness is fantastic. You kick down, you shoot forward. The lack of a free-wheel gives an amazing intimacy with the road. The lack of gears is not much of a problem - it's more a state of mind.  Going up a hill you just step on it, going down you just pedal like mad.  And ... you are never in the wrong gear!

In May 2015 it was fitted with a Sturmey Archer 3-speed fixed hub/wheel, with bar-end changer - still the same fun with fixed gearing but a bit easier on the hills.  Changing gear with a fixed is a bit odd - you can't stop pedaling (obviously) - you just ease off on the pedal pressure.

Hamax Kiss Reclining Seat - given to a cycling club friend for his grand-son in September 2020

A further addition to the cycle equipment.
 
Islabike Rothan - sold a cycling club friend for his grand-son in September 2020
 
Balance bike - no pedals - just scoot along and get the balancing part, riding with pedals is then easy.

Pashley Pickle Tricycle - one donated to Cyclists Fighting Cancer Charity Bike Shop and one sold in October 2019

Classic tricycle made in traditional style in Stratford-upon-Avon.  Purchased (November 2008) from eBay in perfect condition (prior to the lad's birth in February 2009!). 
One nagging concern is the lack of mudguards that may restrict riding with the CTC and some winter Audax events. A further Pickle was acquired in 2013 for another daughter's children.

Dawes Audax Giro 600 - gone, not gone, but has gone again - in 2019

1998 machine purchased in December 2011 - it had not been ridden since about 2003 and was in almost mint condition, complete with Carradice Nelson Longflap saddle-bag. The machine was a joy to ride and precipitated changes to my choice of regular Wednesday club run machine. 
September 2013 - sold ... to part fund something rather special - February 2018 - the purchaser, having barely riddden the bike, donated it at the Cyclists fighting Cancer Charity Bike Shop where I volunteered as a mechanic - I had regretted selling the bike so bought it back from the charity.  July 2019 - too many bikes and not enough time to ride them all so reluctantly sold.
 
Geoffrey Butler - Track Bike - sold in October 2011

Aluminium frame, carbon forks, deep drop bars, no brakes and 165mm cranks - ready to ride the boards.  Having been bitten by the track riding bug I acquired this machine as a set of parts to assemble - I just had to add the pedals. After about a dozen track outings which were great fun I decided I was never going to be as good as Sir Chris Hoy so sold the machine in October 2011.
 
Flying Gate - sold in July 2011

The Flying Gate (1982, custom-built by Trevor Jarvis) is an unconventional bike with a vertical seat tube, built with Reynolds 531 tubing and fork-blades. It was acquired in November 2009 with a hybrid 5-speed Sturmey Archer hub gear with 2 sprockets and a derailleur - making 10 gears. Renovated and rebuilt with a conventional drive-train, powder-coated with a purple lacquer finish and rebuilt with a mixture of new and recycled parts.  The frame was exceptionally large, ~29"
 
Peugeot Triathlon - sold in January 2014

Rebuilt with new wheels, braking and transmission components, powder coated (Ferrari red with metallic gunmetal grey front forks)
 
Dawes Jack - Folder - sold in March 2014

Dawes badged, Dahon built, 20" wheel folding bike, grey/blue.
 
Dawes Ace - Folder - sold in August 2015
 2014 Dawes badged, Dahon built, 20" wheel folding bike with dynamo lighting, finished in black.

Mrs Rob’s bicycle : Claud Butler Majestique - sold as f & f in October 2016

Was a partner for the CB Majestic now sold, late 1970s, Reynolds 531 mixte frame and forks (ladies, twin tube).  The machine was always slightly too big so has been replaced with a Peugeot Mixte of similar vintage with all components transferred.
 
Dawes Mirage - sold as f & f in September 2016

Mid-1980s Dawes 531 frame Mirage, acquired from a friend - refurbished and powder coated and served as my "winter club run bike" for a couple of winters.
 
Claud Butler Majestic - sold in July 2014

Probably best described as Claud Butler's answer to the the Dawes Galaxy.  c1981. Stripped and re-sprayed, fitted with new wheels and some other components.  This machine was used for the Dunwich Dynamo (200km overnight ride) in 2004 and for numerous Audax events - it also ascended (and descended) some of the cols in the Alps.

Single-speed ex-MTB - sold in October 2011

1990s "triple triangle" steel mountain bike (Giant?) - stripped and re-sprayed matt “stealth” black, rebuilt using all the original components to use as a "ride into town/the station and leave it" hack bike.
 
Saracen Hylander - sold in November 2015

1990s steel-frame hybrid - nothing special. Acquired from one of my brothers when he purchased Dahon folding bikes for he and his wife.
 
Carlton Corsair - sold as f & f in November 2010

Mid 1970s Reynolds 531 frame and forks, classic sports-touring machine. Powder coated green to promote MacRide Events
 
Dawes Galaxy - sold in November 2010

c 1976 Reynolds 531 frame and forks, powder coated in blue, re-assembled with a spare set of wheels and used on a turbo-trainer
 
Mrs Rob’s bicycle : Dawes Jack - Folder - sold in March 2016

Dawes badged, Dahon built, 20" wheel folding bike as the other machine.
 
Moulton fx8 - sold in December 2008 to an enthusiast who had it shipped to Taiwan.

Pashley built 8-speed machine in Reynolds 531.  Purchased from the Pashley flagship dealer in Stratford-upon-Avon.
 
Islabike Luath 24 - sold in July 2017

Mini road/cross bike with 24" wheels and scaled-down components - for our grandson.  He decided he wasn't too keen on drop bars at that time so the machine has been sold (he went from the 20" wheel Islabike to a 26" wheel Islabike - he now has a 700c drop-bar Islabike)
 
Bickerton - folder - sold in October 2008

1975 all aluminium folding bicycle.  Purchased in mint condition complete with carrying bag and original handbook. Seldom ridden, a collector’s item.  Being made almost entirely of bolted together aluminium components there is a considerable degree of “flex” when ridden.  Not unlike, one may imagine, riding a bag of tent-poles! Unusually, the machine has different sized front and rear wheels.
 
Bike E recumbent

US built 1998 Bike E recumbent acquired in May 2013.  16" front and 20" rear wheels, 21 speed (3 hub, 7 cogs) - complete with bag and pannier rack.  Some initial fettling and cleaning was required but in excellent condition. December 2013 : I just wasn't riding this enough to warrant the space so it's moved on to another enthusiast.
 
Ken Rogers Racing/Touring Trike - sold in January 2014

1970s, 24” Reynolds 531 frame and forks. Some minor cosmetic refurbishment required but I just couldn't master riding it - it really is a different experience. 
 
Specialized Expedition - sold in December 2013

2002, aluminium framed hybrid/trekking machine (hardtail mtb with slicks)
 
Peugeot Triathlon - sold as f & f in May 2913

The bike is designed for triathlons, not me!  mid 1980s Reynolds 501 frame and 501 chrome plated forks, rescued from the local tip for a small payment.  Powder coated white, chrome forks polished. March 2009 - the powder-coat on this machine was never very good qality, and white was a mistake . . . powder-coated in emerald green, with metallic gunmetal grey front forks and rebult as single-speed/fixed.

Unicycle - passed to another would-be unicyclist in October 2008 

20” wheel, not much else to say about it!  Given to me in August 2007 - another of those “I must master riding it” machines. Unable to master riding it (or, take the risk of mastering riding!) so it had to go.

Tandem - sold to a guy in New York in May 2006.

Unknown make and vintage, probably early 1950s.  Very unusual in that it has a rear top-tube (that’s “crossbar” if you are over about 25 years old) which unbolts and can be fixed in either male or female (step-through) position.  Very, very heavy - fitted with 2 rim brakes and front hub brake.

Saracen Rufftrack - given to a friend to replace her accident damaged machine

1990s steel-frame hybrid - nothing special also acquired from one of my brothers. This machine was used by the BBC Midlands Today reporter covering the opening of NCN Route 41 at Stratford-upon-Avon in April 2006.

Dawes Galaxy - Tourer - sold in May 2005

c1975 Reynolds 531 frame, re-sprayed and rebuilt with almost all of the original components. Having acquired another Galaxy, one can have just too many bikes so it was sold.

Phillips Child Trailer - sold in October 2013

Acquired in "as new" condition from ebay for our grandson - ready to graduate from the seat on father's bike, and before going solo on the Pashley Pickle.

Moulton F-frame - sold in November 2005

1963 Moulton Speed, originally purchased by my mother and owned continuously within my family - used/abused by my brothers. It came into my possession in 2001 when I had it re-sprayed, fitted with Moulton Club upgraded rear forks and a few new parts. Sadly the machine was really a little too small for me to ride, and I sold it to Michael (a.k.a. Nuttycyclist) where it will enjoy loving care and a good home with a fellow bicycle enthusiast.

Coventry Eagle - sold as f & f in July 2007

late 1970s, Reynolds 531 frame and forks.  Purchased as frame and forks on eBay and rebuilt with new and recycled components. Frame sold in July 2007 to a lady in Scotland who had an identical machine and “wanted another frame as a spare” ! All other parts, except wheels, re-used on the Claud Butler Majestique (see above)

Dawes Galaxy - sold in May 2007

Early/mid 1970s Reynolds 531 frame and forks, purchased in February 2006 as a complete machine from eBay - frame sound but the remainder in very poor condition. Powder coated gloss black - but you can have just too many bikes so the frame was resold.

Townsend Postie - sold in September 2007

1970s vintage Postman’s bike with front carrier, complete with leather straps etc.  Purchased on eBay and refurbished (just the front rack re-sprayed)  Fitted with rod brakes and original Terry’s sprung saddle. Seldom used, very occasional trips to the chippie as the front carrier tray is ideal for carrying the fish and chips home.   Not used enough to warrant the storage space so re-sold on eBay, September 2007.
 
Universal Uni-Sport Folder - sold in September 2007

?? year, 20” wheel folder with 3-speed Sturmey-Archer gears. Couldn’t get comfortable riding it.

Mini-Bike - Coca Cola - sold in October 2008

Promotional machine, in mint condition with original (slightly tatty) box. Almost impossible to ride, but (perhaps) a collector’s item.
Acquired in a moment of weakness ...
 
Mrs Rob's Specialized Expedition - sold

2002, aluminium framed step-through frame hybrid/trekking machine. Replaced by the Claud Butler Majestique.

Not a bike . . - but a really useful piece of kit

It may look like a briefcase but it's a bike transit case (hard shell with straps, locks and wheels) that will carry a full-size bike, with the wheels off, and some other kit.
Used just the once, sold in March 2011.

 


 


The collection: Present, gone and history

As at March 2021 I have (for my use) 4 diamond frame machines.

I also own a number of Islabikes in various sizes that are in use by our grand-children - the general plan being that I buy (secondhand from friends or ebay) the machines for the children to use and with different sizes as they grow . . the bikes are looked after and when they're grown out of I sell them.  So far it's worked very well with the children enjoying riding top quality, lightweight, child specific bikes. 

The bikes in use are listed in the Current section.

My wife did have a bike - it hadn't been ridden for quite a while so was sold in mid-2022.

At the height of my bike ownership in about 2011/2012 I had 16 machines of varying sorts - most of those are listed in the Gone section.

There are also a couple of machines in the History section.

As may be imagined the storage of this number of bicycles presents a challenge - solved by the use of hooks to hang them (top to tail to optimise space usage) in the garage. The garage also houses a bench, tools, grinding & polishing machines, ultrasonic cleaner bath, boxes of spares etc (not forgetting the tyres, wheels and other odd parts in the loft!) - together with an array of woodworking machines.

The Workshop section photographs give an idea of the situation at our previous house (prior to February 2020) and more recently in the new workshop.

 

There are two ways you can get exercise out of a bicycle: you can "overhaul" it, or you can ride it.  (Jerome K Jerome)

It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and can coast down them.... Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motorcar only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle. (Ernest Hemingway)