BICYCLE TRAINER SOFTWARE

More detailed view in 'All Sizes' mode.

Bicycle built by Raleigh in Nottingham (UK) in 1960 for export to Nigeria where it was considered a status symbol due to having the unusual feature of two crossbars providing extra strength.

The bicycle has a 26" frame with 28" wheels,(rider, when aboard, can easily get a nose bleed due to being so high up!) 3 speed Sturmey Archer gear and rod brakes. Still has original stainless steel wheels, mudguards, chain, chain guard, bell, rear light, pump and reflector etc.

Cycle was used for general police patrols and home beat duties by officers of the Metropolitan Police (London UK) at Chelsea Police Station, Sutton Police Station (Cheam Village home beat patrols), Banstead Police Station and for 2 months each summer by officers attached to Scotland Yard's Royalty Protection Department (SO14) for security patrols at Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the British Royal Family were in residence.

During the early 1980's the London Metropolitan Police actively encouraged the stamping of a post code (zip code) on bicycles and this particular bicycle was used heavily in the promotion of this crime prevention initiative by the force.

Contrary to general perception the Metropolitan Police did not own the bikes, they were in fact owned by the individual officer who received a cycle allowance when used for official police duties (miniscule amount).

Before receiving the cycle allowance the bicycle had to be inspected and tested by a senior officer as to its road worthiness and general condition. However, some UK forces did supply their officers with an 'official' bicycle.

Originally the official police description of this type of bicycle for reporting purposes, would be, a 'black gents ped', but as political correctness descended upon us the description was changed to 'gents black ped'.

A very heavy, solidly built bicycle to say the least! Is now used on a very regular basis and housed permanently in the Highland village of Ballater, Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK, although not as a method of police transport, now used for simply collecting the daily newspaper from Yules the local Ballater newsagents.

The bicycle now receives many admiring glances and interested enquiries from locals and tourists alike when 'parked' in the village of Ballater. The main comments are "We haven't seen a bike like that for many a year" or " They don't make 'em like that anymore " or " I bet that's an old police bike" or "That's a proper bicycle that is!" or "Look it's got two crossbars".

The rider does not look forward to fairly steep hills on their proposed route.....hard work! Always looking and hoping for a flat route.

Also, thanks to 3-In-One oil and WD40 for keeping things running smoothly and shining bright. Can't believe the bike is now 50 years old! Probably will go on for another 50 years or more!

The owner is showing signs of age quicker than the bicycle itself!

1st in a set of 3,
All taken at the victory air show Cosby Leicestershire 20011
It was amazing to see the Lancaster bomber Phantom of the ruhr flying low over Leicestershire.
It was my frist time photographing moving aircraft and I think my motor sport photography came in handy. the canon was set in shutter priority at 1/125 of a second with the good old 100-400mm L lens.O and my wild imagination.
Looks like the german patrol are looking for something.