Sixty Fiver

Because I have a bike shop and volunteer at a bike co-op I see a lot of bikes but every so often I get to see a bike that leaves me breathless... and I like my British bikes.

Tonight a fellow came into the co-op to service the bb on his wife's commuter and said he probably had the oldest bike there... so I pointed over to my 1948 Rudge.



He said his bike wasn't that old as it was a 1973 Carlton road bike that he had bought new in London.

When I went out I was gobsmacked... 531c frame, Nervex lugs, and a mish mash of parts that still included a Campy NR rear d and Campy bar end shifters.

He said the bike had 100,000 km on it and had been to 21 countries and it showed as rthe bike was faded in places and the "Carlton" on the top tube and down tube was a little worn.

He said that when he bought the bike he felt he was getting a line from the salesman but I confirmed that this was as about as nice a bike as he could have bought at the time... and he only paid $200.00 for it.

Sadly... I did not have my camera but will get the opportunity to take many pictures as he will be bringing it to me in the fall after a trip to New Zealand at which point the bike will be undergoing some restoration and service.

And it was green.

Damn it was beautiful.

Sixty Fiver

PS - He said this is the only bike he has owned / ridden since he bought it and it does everything and goes everywhere.