After many hours of consideration I have decided to give up any future ,c ollecting and restoring the classic bikes. Only today a younger enthusiast friend of mine cleared the workshop of all its contents leaving only my three machines I shall continu e to ride.
Its been many years since I took up the restoring and preservation of old b ikes something that I 've always enjoyed as it gave me a great satisfaction. Thi s in itself made my decision all the harder but I believe common sense has prevailed in giving up this side of my interest. I have been very lucky in making and meeting s ome many contacts here and abroad. I intend to continue my CR membership and follow the daily input with interest and answer with a word or two now and again.
I'm only sorry the way the modern bicycle trends are developing with demise of an industry the was once held in such high esteem and one wonders if they will be collectors pieces in the years to come. That is if they last that long!!
So its left now to go out riding on the 1948 Holdsworth La Quelda , 1965 Ken Ryall and 1983 Bob Jackson. With the continuing awful Summer weather we have been
having even that will be curtailed at the moment!
Oh! well can't have it all ways I suppose!!
Doug Smith
North Dorset
UK