LEJOG on a Raleigh Chopper

[Mick F]

hiya mick, well done!

its les, i have some pictures from when you left Pene's place, including you putting the chain back on

how can i send them to you? pene got your address?

Les

Yes, speak to Pene. She can email me.

Love to see them!

That chain came off a couple of times after Wrexham. It seems that when the chain is cold and stiff first thing, and also the SA hub too, when I spin the cranks backwards, the rear derailleur spring isn't strong enough to hold the excess chain. The top run goes slack, and because of the chainline, it flies off the small sprocket into the dropout.

Had the gears been left on the big sprocket, it wouldn't have happened as the rear mech spring would've been tighter.

Regards to you,
Mick.

[MPurslow]

Well done Mick You've been added onto Wikipedia by someone You are officially famous

[niggle]

What next Mick, round the world on this?

[Si]

Well done Mick, in these days of corporate sponsorship and 'semi-professional' cycle challenges you stand out as a cut above the rest: both hilarious in concept and awesome in achievement!

[Speshact]

Well done Mick!

[Bricycle]

Mick

As a newcomer to cycling (only really started when I was 50 two years ago) and the CTC forum I have really enjoyed reading the blog and following your progress. From one for whom a 30 mile day ride is a major challenge I salute you..

Just a thought: in how many households are the words "what do you want money for a new bike for, that Mick bloke can do JOGLE on a chopper" being heard !!!!

Cheers

Brian

[alans]

Congratulations Mick.
Si's comment above is right on the money

A pity I couldn't join you between Wrexham & Ludlow

[Mick F]

Thanks guys!
Yes, sorry you had to be working instead of cycling, Alan!

I've been slowly coming down to earth today. I'm wide awake now, but during mid-afternoon I could've slept away the rest of the day! The adrenaline has gone, and now I'm climbing down from the high I've been on for the past two weeks or more.

Will I ever do an E2E again?
I don't know.
It seems that to do the ride on such an outrageous machine as a Chopper will take some beating. I know very well that others have done it on penny-farthings/unicycles/recumbents/tricycles etc, but a Chopper is a modern classic that everyone of a certain age has a soft spot for. They are a design icon, and I have had the honour and privilege of riding one the length of Britain.

At every stop and rest, people have come up to it and smiled. I had a chap nearly in tears in Bridgwater remembering his time on one when he was a lad. Even only yesterday outside a truck-stop diner, I had a crowd of folk discussing it and asking questions. Up in the highlands of Scotland an elderly lady was recalling the days when her daughter and friend fell off one and they still have the scars to prove it 30 or more years later.

People have pointed and shouted as I've gone past, some have just stared open mouthed, and some have waved. Car, van and lorry drivers have tooted their horns - in a friendly way - as they've overtaken me. Almost invariably I have been greeted with friendship, admiration and amazement.

All I can say is, it's been an honour and privilege to ride something so wonderful.

Thanks,
Mick.

[Colin63]

Do you think that you can part with it now Mick? After such a big adventure won't you want to keep it as you've modified it and gaze on it in years to come in increasing bafflement at what you've done? Perhaps you could turn it into a piece of furniture or art for the house!

[lesz42]

hello

my best mate, Rob had a Chopper, i rode it a few times....................lol


have passed the pictures to pene





think trike




les

[Mick F]

Thanks Les.

Colin: What will I do with the Chopper?

I don't want to keep it. I don't see it as an addition to my riding stable, as it's not a practical sort of bike.

It has some good points:
Solid and strong
The prop stand is amazing! far better than a bolt-on thing you can buy.
Comfortable riding position - but only for short journeys!
Great looks
Good talking-point

Bad points:
VERY heavy - 40lbs plus.
Original brakes are rubbish
Front end lifts when pedalling hard up hills
Poor saddle for long journeys
Poor position - sitting too far back for good power transfer

The way ahead is to auction it off and the money goes to the school. Whether Ebay is the best for that, I don't know as yet. It needs some thought.

I do have an idea.
If the frame could be re-built out of something light (titanium/alu?) with lighter wheels with a decent multi-gear setup, and perhaps V brakes or even discs, you would end up with a Chopper that could be a useful and interesting bike whilst retaining the exact look of the thing.

...... but that's another project.

[GrahamNR17]

Thanks Les.

Colin: What will I do with the Chopper?

I don't want to keep it. I don't see it as an addition to my riding stable, as it's not a practical sort of bike.

Can I make a suggestion, at least for consideration? How about packaging it up as-is, with loads of high res photos and a write-up, and sending it to a good cycle museum? This bike has made history, and should be preserved.

Just my tuppence worth

[Snakes]

Mick!!

You are truly a LEGEND!!!!!!! And rightly so!!!!! : ). Well done that Man!!!!!!!

Sadly I didn't take a picture of me raising a glass to you and your triumphant effort on Friday eve, however I certainly did raise a glass to you along with a number of my friends, most of whome are not cyclists' at all. Thing is and as I'd mentioned, Choppers are fantastic (all be it somewhat uncomfortable) machines, and all of the lads are in there late 30's/early 40's so whilst they're not cyclists, they all have fond memories of early bikes etc.

When they heard the tale of Mick F and his crazy ride, they where indeed all highly complimentry, so the glasses chinked, and we all toasted you!!!!!

I'll check that blog of your out now!

Snakes

[Mick F]

Thanks for all the compliments. You make me blush ......

The story isn't quite over as yet.

There's a Chopper Fest at Billing, Northampton every year, and some folk want me there. To be honest, I'm a little tired and stuff is happening at home, so it's not very convenient.

But being a good egg, and having a daughter living in Bedford, I've decided to drive up and present myself, Chopper and Trailer there for all to see at Billing.

I'll leave the car in Bedford, and on Saturday ride up on Chopper to Northampton. I should be able to make quite an entrance!

[fimm]

Well done Mick!
I've been following your blog, but was away over the weekend, so I haven't had a chance to read the last few entries. I'll hopefully get a chance to do so this evening.
Well done again.