1992 Raleigh Kalahari stripped down Ready For a Facelift

Well I've had this bike since buying it new from Halford in 1992. Put dropped handlebars on, gave it three coat os Hammerite and set it up for a hybrid tourer, two of which I completed up and down France. Brought it over to Bulgaria in 2005 and lent it out  for over 10 years. Now back in my hands this year. Stripped it down today and will be giving it a new lease of life as a hop around town bike. 

(Will post a picture when completed.)

Stylish Italian MBM Fold-up Bike

Lovely little stylish fold up bike made by the Italian bike manufacturer MBM. Love the covered chain, pity more don't come with this option as it makes cleaning the chain less frequent and we all know how messy that is. Retails for around £180-£200. Italian Ferrari red is an eye catcher as well.

SPEC AS FOLLOWS:

Frame: steel folding h47

Fork: steel

Headset: 1”

Crankset: black steel

Bb set: cartridge

Brakes: polish alloy

Brake levers: alloy/resin

Free wheel: 18T

Pedals: w/ball

Hubs: steel

Rims: alloy

Tyres: 24x1.75 white wall

Seat post: steel

Stem: cp steel

Handlebar: cp steel:

Saddle: Selle Bassano T-kappa

Brompton for London but NOT Bulgaria

Bought this in London and used it for commuting and many runs, ideal and loved every moment. My move to Bulgaria was the end of the Brompton Romance, it just would not have survived the ragged cobblestoned street that frequent the town I now live it. Some other Londoner is now enjoying the commute on my ex-bike.

My Boardman CX Comp in Bulgaria Now

Cyclocross bikes are perfect for Bulgaria with the state of many roads. that is exactly why I brought this over from the UK now settled in Bulgaria permanently. I can safely say that this is the only one in Bulgaria as it cannot be bought in Bulgaria. The nearest agent in in Cyprus!

A 'Written Off' Bicycle

My bicycle after someone hit me head on on the 7th September!

I commute to work on a daily basis in all weather conditions. This particular day was unfortunate on the road as I was hit hard and catapulted over a car that had been put off course by a rogue van!

After being shipped to hospital in an ambulance I am still recovering over a month later. Wouldn't wish this on anyone.

My Dahon Fold-Up Bike

I bought this earlier in the year to commute to work and back and was the first time I had experienced a fold-up bike. The novelty soon wore off as climbing steep off road gravel hills just didn't hit the mark with this bike. It was clear the bike wasn't designed for this type of terrain. I subsequently sold it (for a profit I might add) which was a shame as I love the concept of the bike which was stored in the boot of my little Nissan Micra!

A Snow Bike

Well it's mid-summer, but thoughts are firmly on how to get to work on my bike when winter comes. Weather is becoming more extreme, but it would never get tot the stage where I would require a snow bike like the on exampled here. I just wouldn't turn up for work rather than try and ride this contraption in. 

A Dutch Bike in Holland

No surprise to find this Dutch bike parked in a town called Amersfoort in Holland. It looks so natural there.

Animal Style Cycle Helmets

                               

Saw these for sale for around £35 quid, yes they are kids animal style cycle helmets if you look closely. Well anything gets them to wear them these might. Safety first, mind you they might scare a few people on the way past.

The Spectacle of a Cycle Race

The spectacle of a cycle race never fails to excite, even though the sight might only last a few seconds before they have flown past. However capturing the moment by camera keeps that moment there as long as you want it. This was in Boxhill, Surrey last year during the Olympics (Daily Telegraph source)

Saddle Sight For Sore Eyes

Well I certainly wouldn't want to be in the lead in this bike race as the best view is from behind! Many a soiled thong after a few laps me thinks and no rear lights to be seen.

Silly Bike

Well the word that comes to mind here is, unnecessary. All this complication with the complex frame is just plain silly. The rider I feel is just looking for attention and certainly has that as he rides by. Keep going my man, you will come a cropper with failings with such a complex system. Simplicity is the mainstay of reliability, this is the opposite!

Silly Reverse Steering Bicycle

Nice colours but this simple pedal bicycle is designed with reverse steering surely solely for circus and shows. There is a danger however of after riding this bike for a prolonged period to get into a car and steer in the opposite direction!