At last .. one of those rare stories which just warm your hearts
"MEN" page 3 and reported by Dan McMullan tells the story of 74 year old Reg.
Reg is a keen cyclist and has notched up 300,000 miles on his bikes over the years.
Aged 16. Reg saves his pocket money and goes to LH Brookes of Manchester to purhcase a bike (NO gears..one brake and a heavy steel frame.)]]
By the way .. my two sisters (Worsley residents) have bought Bikes from Brookes, Walkden and Eccles - still perhaps "going strong"
and they are aware of a bike shop at the old LH Brookes site in Manchester. LH Brookes apparently had branches across Manchester in its hey-day and the "MEN" reckons the last closed in Hazel Grove. Perhaps the current Brookes of Worsley and Eccles are unrelated then.
Reg says he bought his bike "on tick for 7s 6d" at the time(About 40p or so
to be "literal" but purchasing power and cost of living in 1948 really mean equivalent of £300 plus at least
)
Reg told the "Men" that in those days .. you picked the frame and the bike was "tailored" for you. Steel frames and heavy and BY HANDand not machine made..
For Reg .. this was an expense. He started worl at age 14 and had to tip up his wages to the family household.
Thus.. his scrimping to pay off the cost of his first bike.. well.. like my own Triumph Stag for which I incurred the great wrath of my parents..... (blew my savings, allowance, grant and a loan for these wheels
and they were not
impressed 
Well.. it does mean something nostalgic and you really cannot bear to part with something like this.. I understand Reg to the letter on this.
sentimental. You keep it forever
Reg still has his first bike and still rides it.
He cycles 300 miles per week (I hang my head in shame
as I muster up perhaps 150 in total after work and at weekends and leaves)
Reg founded the Seamons Cycling Cub of Altrincham.
Long may this guy ride and I admire him.
I understand him too!
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
Members
