‘Grandad was the oldest, at 89, and ‘Nipper’ the newest member of the O.R.B.C. at 80 years, three months and two days – that’s if you didn’t take into count their trusty ‘steeds’, born of a time when Queen Victoria was still fondly remembered from her 1885 visit to Nottingham for the state opening of the Raleigh Bicycle Company.
They rode in single file along the country lanes in the colours of the lead cyclist of the Tour de France, their fluorescent yellow garb could be seen from space, and, on night-rides the crimson and white of their lights closely rivalled the Blackpool illuminations.
Often, you would hear their cycling songs long before they came into sight; one such is printed below,
‘Sturmey-Archer, Sturmey-Archer,
you can change gear when you like,
unless you are blessed
with a fixed wheel on your bike!’
Graeme Sandford 