Cycling UK Forum

I was at the London Cycle Show yesterday and got talking to the chap on the National Cycle Collection stand. I've never been there but I had made visits while on holiday to the British Cycling Museum, a private business on the edge of Bodmin Moore. A geat place, stuffed with bikes and bits covering the whole of cycling history, as far as I could tell. It had a great collection of CTC stuff, badges, pamphlets, plaques, medals etc etc. What shocked me while I was talking to this guy was the information that the whole collection, priceless British cycling history from the earliest days to the day before yesterday, had been sold to a private buyer in,.....wait for it... MOLDOVIA! That's a long way to go to check up on your ancient Raleigh! Talk about selling the family silver. I only hope that his organisation, based at Llandrindod Wells in mid-Wales, has a similar extensive collection. Havn't been to Wales for years, but now have a very good reason for a visit when down in that part of the world. What a shame, the Camelford place was a treasure chest, absolutely priceless (except that someone did come up with a price).

I've heard that the curator in Llandrindod Wells is about to retire.

The British Cycle Museum is just here:
It's on the site of the old Camelford Railway Station that Beeching closed in the 60s.

Do you know? I've never been to it! I've cycled past it many times, but it isn't always open, and usually I'm a long way and a long time from home. I really need to get there as a mission!

On a different thread, I was going on about meeting LEGOGers in Camelford and escorting them into Devon. We weren't more than a mile from the museum as we left Camelford before turning right onto the A395 for Launceston.

Visited it a few years ago and it was very "British", but the number of cycles, their quality and the sheer range was wonderful... a tragic loss

Mick F wrote:The British Cycle Museum is just here:

mus.jpg

mus1.jpg

It's on the site of the old Camelford Railway Station that Beeching closed in the 60s.

Do you know? I've never been to it! I've cycled past it many times, but it isn't always open, and usually I'm a long way and a long time from home. I really need to get there as a mission!

On a different thread, I was going on about meeting LEGOGers in Camelford and escorting them into Devon. We weren't more than a mile from the museum as we left Camelford before turning right onto the A395 for Launceston.

Thanks for that Mick, but my point was,er, it's NOT there anymore! Unless the chap from National Cycle Collection was putting a spoke in British Cycle Museum's business, hoping to draw me and other gullible innocents down to Wales!

Yes, I understand, but I somehow doubt the fact that it's gone. It'll be sad if it has, though as I said, I've never been!

Tell you what, I'll ride out there (probably Wednesday) and take a look-see - couple of hours ride. One or two things to do today, tomorrow I'm driving the Community Bus, so Wednesday is Ride My Bike Day!

I'll report back to this thread.

I went there in May en-route to LE.

Despite the opening times displayed outside and I was

there within those hours, it was very much shut!

Very frustrating.

We were in the area for our summer hols in 2008. I threatened mini-me with a visit if he misbehaved.

Perhaps my lack of enthusiasm is why the gods turned against us and we were rained out of the tent.

Mick F wrote:Yes, I understand, but I somehow doubt the fact that it's gone. It'll be sad if it has, though as I said, I've never been!

Tell you what, I'll ride out there (probably Wednesday) and take a look-see - couple of hours ride. One or two things to do today, tomorrow I'm driving the Community Bus, so Wednesday is Ride My Bike Day!

I'll report back to this thread.

Thanks for that Mick. Must at least be easier to ride to Camelford than to Moldavia! Moldavia is out Dracula way, I believe. I understand you can get good stake and chips there! Gedit, stake and chips? Ha Ha!

patmac wrote:Gedit, stake and chips? Ha Ha!

There's a nice cafe in Camelford. Sorry, can't remember the name. I must do better!
They do a good Ham, Egg and Chips. I'm off there tomorrow (as I said I would), so Steak and Chips might be a good idea, but failing that, Ham and Chips will have to do. Oh, and a pot of tea too!

I'll be off soon after 9 tomorrow morning, check out the museum (or lack of it), then down into Camelford for lunch. I'll be back home by 4ish. The Rising Sun opens at 5, so I should be back on-line and make my report soon after that!

I can confirm three things.

1. I cycled to the museum today.
2. I ate gammon, pineapple and chips, washed down with a pot of tea at the Four Seasons Tea Room in Camelford.
3. The museum is closed, completely closed, finished and gone.

I was unable to get into the Old Station as it was gated and barred. See piccies at the end of the thread, and click them for bigger views.

I crossed over the road and spoke to a chap at a joinery business. He was a little blunt in his reply, but softened his attitude by the end of our conversation. He didn't know anything about what's going on, except he's tired of people like me asking! I feel for him, trying to earn an honest crust and people keep asking him the same questions over and over!

Any road up, I pedalled off into town and called in at the Tourist Info centre, only to find that closed too. I didn't go right up to the door as it was down a little path, but there was nothing to say that they were closed for lunch. The place looked closed for the winter!

So I went and had my nosh, chatting to the people in there, paid up, and wound my way back home. I had a nice 57 miles ride in the sunshine, so it can't be all bad!

Pity about the museum nonetheless, perhaps Moldovia will be the place to go to next season.This last one is a blow-up of the second picture. You can see the word "Cycling" in the ivy.

I drove to the Museum whilst on holiday in the area this summer - faithfully following my satnav and the brown tourist road signs. Disappointed to find it gone - as MickF illustrates above.

However earlier in the year I visited the Cycle Museum at Llandrindod Wells, and can report that it is fantastic, and very large. Well worth a visit. Around the corner there is a nice tea room overlooking a lake and a good childrens play area to keep everyone in the family happy! Worth a good detour if remotely in the area (Welsh National Showground is nearby). A great range of bikes, including lots of 70s and 80s equipment as well. I'm as happy on a nostalgia trip looking at a Dawes Milk Race bike and an Ever Ready Frontguard lamp as I am a Hobby Horse! Loads of bikes and equipment/accessories.

Mick F tells a tragic story of a great place gone east, but relieves the tragedy with a tale of good British biking nosh.
David T lifts the gloom with good news from sunny Wales. I shall pop over the border next year when Looe hosts us for our summer hols. Many thanks to you both. I'm so glad I bought my picture of a naked lady on her 1890 bone shaker when I was last in Camelford. I tell visitors to my study ( the box room over the front door, rapidly filling with books ) that she is my lady wife in her uninhibited youth!

So is there a connection between Ridley Bikes and the move of the collection to Moldova?

http://www.oem-bp.com/home.html

http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/brand/ridley-bikes

I remember going to a cycle museum in Harlow - must have been about '85.
Anyone know if that is still there?

Only went in 'cos I was at a loose end, but thoroughly enjoyed it. Meant to return but moved out of the area...