...really started in 1979 when the local Bus company decide to change its Sunday morning timetable. Meaning that after a 12 hours night shift I had a choice of either walking the 7 miles home or wait for 2 hours for the first Bus. I didn`t fancy either and with no driving license and I still don`t have one I decide to get a Bike! So off to Rory O`Brien Cycle shop in North Street, Romford I went and came out with a Dawes Lightning. Having not ridden a cycle since my teens (about 12 years) I found the 11 miles ride home a bit wobbly at first but got there in the end. The plan was just to cycle into work on my weekend night shifts, but I got the cycling bug and started going out on my days off. I joined the Cyclists Touring Club in August 1980 and still a member today.
The most memorable ride on the Lightning was to Mersea Island, can`t remember what the mileage was though I did have a Huret Cyclometer but never kept a record of my mileage in those days. To reach Mersea Island you have to cross the Strood, which was dry going but coming back the tide had come in, oops! I waited around for awhile but in the end I decide to go for it and learned a lesson that day, seawater and bottom brackets not good! Still I made it home even if there was a strange noise coming from the bottom bracket.
I really can`t remember what happen to the Dawes Lightning must have either sold it or gave it away.
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