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@clubman
Veteran-Cycle Club (NR Section) Oldest Bike Ride
Sunday 13th October.
A modest little ride round the lanes of Hertfordshire, starting from Stevenage and doing a circuit which included Cromer, Great Munden, Watton at Stone, with lunch at Bull's Green. Just short of 30 miles.
Perhaps barely worth reporting, except that our leader was riding a beautiful Lea Francis roadster dating from 1902. This was obviously a 'gentleman's' machine which must have been very expensive when new. Although it had many interesting details, it was basically the pattern of a standard roadster which continued in the same form for decades - it's probably still possible to buy one today, but in 1902 it was a new cutting edge product. It was only in the mid 1890's that having different sized front and back wheels went out of fashion!
This particular bike had a single freewheel and was geared (I think) 44 x 18 with 28" wheels (68.4") and, although the owner is a strong rider, it was impressive to see how well it worked over a route that had some fairly tough climbs.
I hope to get a photo of the Lea F. for you, it hasn't arrived yet, so in the meantime I'll just have to show you my own oldest bike, a Sunbeam frame with my components which are of various ages.
Sorry, can't find photo atm - will follow.