Mention of the Hetchin's "Cognoscenti" recalls a vanished age when bikes, well at least British club and racing ones, had lovely and quite creative names, reflecting an era both more sophisticated (can you imagine folks today coveting a Magnum Opus!) and fun (gee, dad, I want a Moth Cyclo) than today, all aggressive and hostile in name and appearance.
Humber Clipper, Rudge Pathfinder, Armstrong Moth and Moth Magnificent, BSA Gold Vase and Golden Flash, Hercules Kestrels, Lapwing (their track bike) and Maestros, Carlton Super Python, Elswick-Hooper Vampire, Holdsworth Zephyr etc. Hetchins were famous their contrived Latin names but let's not forget Phillips' Vox Populi. Or the Jaguar. Who has ever seen a Stallard Montlhery or Zakopane? (a Polish mountain resort?!) Or did the very names send would be buyers fleeing for nearest Sunbeam dealer to get a Golden Ray or to Sun for a Soleil d'Or or a Sid Patterson. More clubmen opted for a Triumph Torrington or a Jack of Clubs.
But as we all know the immortal Reg Harris "Rides a Lenton for his Road Training" and that was an easy one for Raleigh to come up with: they just looked out the window at the street sign!
P.C. Kohler Washington, D.C.
(who jolly well enjoyed his first every group ride today with fellow listers in the Washington area).