The Carlton Club.

Finally Gert Jan's invitations to visit him in Norfolk was accepted, and this weekend we put a few miles on two late English veteran cycles. Like old houses they have deviated from their original form, because they were so fine that when things got old and flaky the rebuilding followed the the requirements of the owners just like old houses become useful after a refit for their current occupiers. A rebirth that make the old remarkably close to the qualities of the best of the new, whilst having a patina of age and use that makes them more enjoyable than anything bright, shiny and new ever could actually be. No amount of money could ecclipse the historical quintessence of these machines that makes them an unrepeatable pleasure to use.

They are virtually silent in use, Smooth like silk, and easily manage the speeds that the rider could find in anything made since. They are moral boosting to the rider. They answer the question of how to ride, rather than pose the question of how to ride. They bowl along as if no force were needed and yet mount hills with aplomb. No doubt the carbon fibre or aluminium modern equivalent might be marginally easier on the up-gradient, but this is easily counter-balanced by the sheer sanguine quality of the ride over the bumps, and svelt quality of handling and wonderful balance on the down-gradient that one could wonder if old light steel will not again be seen as the "new carbon fibre!"

Needless to say the two Georges on the two old Carltons made a time on 53 miles that would be the pride of many half our ages even on the most modern kit!

This photo shows the half way mark, and you may note the absence of grim determination after a very swift bit of progress! The return was seven minutes slower only ...

ATB from George