> In 1936 F.C. Parkes, grandson of the founder, with his son Peter Parkes, developed the lightweight Parkes sports cycle, which became the standard machine for cycle racing throughout the world. < writes Mick Butler. That is one hell of a statement. Presumably it does not suggest that the actual Parkes bike was the standard machine, rather that the Parkes design was adopted worldwide? While not wishing to belittle the skills of Brummie metal-bashers this really does seem a claim too far. I fear that the major cycling nations would hardly believe that cycle racing existed in the UK, being the land of Le Cricket, much less crib British designs. Ray Green, Harrow, Middlesex