Having done a bit of winter testing on it I can't see any way of doing 1200km over 4 days unless I fit an engine: it'd be 25kg and 15mph tops. Sad, but probably inevitable.
I do have a back-up plan though
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Me too, l just have to look to see if there is that special "bargain" waiting to be snapped up . Its a drug l tell you, a damn drugHi Woodbutcher - very similar thoughts to yours. Trouble is steel bikes are beautiful, particularly when you have restored them yourself.
I have:
Raleigh competition - fast light and "brifters"
Carpenter (not sure of model) - comfortable
Dancelli - fast, lovely to look at (Columbus Aelle and chrome bits
Parkes - in process, going to try it as single speed
Falcon (not sure of model,Ernie Clements badge) - taken over by wife!
The above I will keep, regardless. I tell myself that they have different attributes and so I want them.
Carlton Corsa - in bits, once done up will possibly sell (although it is the only one that will be just about original, and has lovely lugs so that might save it
MBK Mistral - beautiful condition, all original, looks lovely but not "exciting" to ride
Frame of uncertain make, old and quirky, but I seem to have an attachment to it for some reason
I also have a couple of Mixte (bought for wife and daughters, love them but they don't count in my list, or at least when justifying number of bikes to my wife).
I think that lack of space will be deciding factor - Carlton in greenhouse at present, but I will be needing that space for Chillies and Tomatoes in near future.
Daft thing is that I still keep looking on eBay.
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. And it also sounds like you have become known among your group of friends as a 'bike nut', and they seek advice from you, and it sounds like you are now moving onto sorting out the bikes and N+1 of others, and getting others riding, to which @woodbutcher my good sir, there is an obvious conclusion, you need to open your own bike shop.
Holy smoke what a prospect A bike shop , l wouldn't make any money, of that l am sure ! On the other hand l would be surrounded by bikes and bike nuts of which there seem to be a vast quantity in this part of France.It sounds like you enjoy the thrill of the chase, identifying the frame and the parts you'd like to go on it, and the building up process, as much as the riding itself. Nothing wrong with that, I'm the same and I like to build mine up to look retro-tasty and to me they are functional works of art. N+1 is an urge that last for life, or at least I've not reached a point where that urge has gone away
However I have absolutely no more room for any more bikes, so its a strict night club style policy from now on for me, no more are coming in until one has gone. That is the harsh reality. At present I love all mine so I'm not getting an itch that needs scratching. Apart from MTB which needs work and I rarely get the chance to use, I use all my other bikes regularly...but I know that over time I will decide on the hierarchy of my stable, and I will have identified which will go before any N+1 happens. I've got 5 steel frames all with 20 speed Campagnolo, no racks or mudguards etc, so essentially they are the same type of bike, there was/is no need to have all 5 of them, but they are just matched well the type of riding I do, and I use them all, so why not. And they are good for hanging washing on in my pokey flat
I do find it sad seeing bikes broken up into parts and sold too, and I don't get a thrill from selling. In fact the opposite, I get very sentimental and attached to my bikes to the point I don't want to sell them. I know it sounds stupid but if I did sell I'd want it to go to a good home, seeing it being used and looked after properly is more important than the money I'd get for it.
The good news for you is you have identified the ones you don't use, so mentally I'd say you have already prepared for the next arrival and have identified which ones are nearer the exit door
As always Mr B. the voice of common sense. I wish l had that ability but l realise it will never be so
As always Mr B. the voice of common sense. I wish l had that ability but l realise it will never be so
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Ahaa ! "The Devils' in the detail" as everLooking back at my above list I forgot the two single speed bikes , one with guards and one without
The good news for me is that l don't appear to be alone in my uncertainty !
@woodbutcher now you're talking sense, maybe a cycle shop/repairs cafe/bar with your man, forget about the money, think of all think of all the nice bikes you'll see
I like the idea of having a guest book so while you are working the crowd out front and sharing cycling tales with savvy locals and tourists alike, you can get them to write a brief note in the house journal about the ride they are on, or to share tales of past adventures, its the stuff of local legend! I love all that. I'd try and come and visit!
This is starting to sound a bit "Rapha" influenced and l don't mean that in a derogatory sense !@woodbutcher now you're talking sense, maybe a cycle shop/repairs cafe/bar with your man, forget about the money, think of all think of all the nice bikes you'll see
I like the idea of having a guest book so while you are working the crowd out front and sharing cycling tales with savvy locals and tourists alike, you can get them to write a brief note in the house journal about the ride they are on, or to share tales of past adventures, its the stuff of local legend! I love all that. I'd try and come and visit!
