Pedals to Medals

To coincide with the 2012 Olympics the Coventry Transport Museum have collected together a brilliant group of Bikes and memorabelia which represent Coventry's contribution to competition cycling. For those that aren't familiar with the Museum- it's a fantastic cycling resource which has an extensive collection and offers a free opportunity to get up close to lots of our cycling, motorcycling and motoring history. Alongside the cycle collection, they've a great collection of motorbikes which include Ted Simons (round the world) Triumph and (last time I checked) one of the bikes from Long Way Round .

  

 I've been itching to get there and finally managed to spend an afternoon there today, here's a few of my favourites.

First up was this lovely 1952 bike made by R.O Harrison, assembled by Tom Bromwich and ridden by Edith Atkins- a brilliant amateur cyclist with a whole raft of records

Next up was a section looking at John Atkins, I'm a massive fan of John Atkins bikes and have yet to find another bike which rides as well as the 1970's John Atkins tourer which I ride most days. Prior to his days in the bike shops (s) he was 12 times (1961-1978) national cycle- cross champion

This is one of the Carlton Cycles which he competed on

 

 A little further along was the Falcon of Ernie Crutchlow which he'd won the 1980 British Sprint Championship. Ernie did a great interview for the exhibition which you can find here 

What I was most excited about seeing was the Hercules of Eileen Sheridan, who for lots of years has been has been a real personal inspiration. Back when I'd started planning my (currently postponed) two week LEJOG I'd read in wonderment of her own 1954 journey which had taken a little more than 2 days!

There's lots more to see and lots of bits and bikes to ponder over- the exhibition gives a real insight into the contribution local cyclists and manufacturers have made to cycling. The exhibition is on until 14th October 2012 and is well worth the trip, pop down if you get the chance.

A fantastic day at the Green Fayre

Well it was a windy, wet and early start for me and the guys organising the Green Fayre, 7.30am standing in an empty bit of the Memorial park with nothing but a pile of unbuilt stalls and a hoard of 'boot camp' fitness folk to keep us company. The Fayre was in a fantastic position this year and it didn't take long for things to take shape.






As soon as the stalls went up, people starting arriving, the music and food marque appeared and in the blink of an eye all was ready and waiting.













From 11am onwards there was a steady stream of new people, i'm not sure how many people attended in the end, but it was constantly busy.









It was lovely to see so many people, parent and children cycling to the Fayre- encouraged somewhat by the presence of Dr Bike and the free bike checks.














I did manage to spot this lovely tandem at Fayre, a handbuilt bromwich adapted at the back for a little one






There's a definite feel of the Glastonbury green fields of old at the Green Fayre, it's really relaxed and inoffensive, which is a welcome relief. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the event, there was some great music, fab food and I had some great conversations with many truly interesting people...roll on 2012!