Changing Lanes

Hi folks,
Well, i've been writing this blog for over a year now and I think it's time to move on.

Virtually anyway!

You can now find me at Twowheeledronin.com

Same great content, just on a bigger, better website. For the moment you can find the same posts that were here but all future, two wheel adventures will be posted there.

So come and take a look and let me know what you think.

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What it's Raleigh All About

If I asked you to name a motorcycle brand and a bicycle brand, it seems unlikely that anyone would give the same answer.

Today, I don't think there is a single company that makes both bicycles and motorcycles, but if I'd have asked the question 100 years ago, this would've been more common than you think.

I'm sure, many of you are aware, that back at the beginning of the 20^th century, many bicycle manufactures dipped their toes into the world of motorcycle manufacturing. Ariel and BSA being two companies that spring to mind.

But perhaps the most surprising is Raleigh.

I've visited a few places since I started this blog last year, such as the Morris Museum in Oxfordshire (read here) and the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham. There was one bike brand that just keeps cropping up. Raleigh.

Obviously Raleigh is a brand known for bicycles and the ups and downs of the company are well documented. The company was first founded in 1885 and is one of the oldest bicycle companies in the world. But in 1899 they had a go making motorcycles but unfortunately this first attempt didn't last that long and in 1908 they stopped production to focus primarily on bicycles.

Until 1919 when they tried again. It went a little better this time but sadly, production ended in 1933 and was never picked up again.

However, during this time was when they built, one of my favourites, the 1924 V-twin.

This one is on display at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham.

I really like Raleigh. I've ridden them ever since I can remember. Its a brand that brings back fond memories for me. My first mountain bike was a Raleigh Bolder. I also remember a time, during my rebellious teen years, finding a mangled, old Raleigh Grifter, fixing it just enough so me and my friends could ride it until it was mangled all over again! Even now, I have a Raleigh as my daily steed and a vintage resto project in the shed.

It would be an absolute dream to own one of their vintage motorcycles, but a brief interweb search will tell you prices start around £16k. It might stay on the wish list for a while!

As I said, when I first stared this blog, Bicycles and Motorcycle seem worlds apart today. But looking back to a time when they weren't is something I love to learn about.

And who knows, with electric bicycles and electric motorcycles both on the rise, maybe there will come a time when asked to name a motorcycle brand and a bicycle brand, the answer might just be the same.

Words & Photos By Craig Willis

Thanks for reading.

This blog post marks the one year anniversary of the Two Wheeled Ronin and I just wanted to say a big thank you for all of the support over the last year. 

I've got even more content to come over the next 12 months. But if there is anything you would like me to cover please drop me a line -

twowheeledronin@gmail.com

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Book Review: It's All About The Bike

It's All About The Bike: The Pursuit of Happiness On Two Wheels

Author: Robert Penn

In this day and age, it's easy to forget that there once was a time when cars were not the dominant vehicle on our highways, and bicycles were in fact king of the road. In Robert Penn's book, It's all about the bike, he goes a long way in explaining how that used to be the case and just how far the bicycle has come.

I find Robert Penn's writing to be fantastic. His style is complex and detailed but somehow accessible to all. He's a man who is clearly passionate about his subjects. I first picked up his book on woodworking, The Man Who Made Things Out of Trees and I couldn't put it down.

In that book he includes a chapter on a company that manufactures wooden bicycle frames. He mentions that the story of going to visit this particular company was omitted from his first book “It's all about the bike”.

“He's also written a book about bikes?!” I thought.

I think it took me all of 30 seconds to order it.

But what about this book?

Well, it really is all about the bike. Robert's dream bike to be exact. It is a chronicling of Robert, putting together all of the elements of a bicycles. Each chapter is broken down into each component part.

The Frame, the Steering system, the drivetrain, the wheels and the saddle

Each chapter tells the story of Robert getting these parts for his own dream machine but also delves deep into the history of each of these areas. The reason I liked this book, is the same reason I liked the book in my previous review, Shop class as soulcraft (Read here). It combines personal story and grounds it with historical, factual information. If fact they are pretty similar in terms of style, so if you liked that one, give this one a try too.

If there has to be a negative, for me, it's that there is a lot of information and detail covered over very few chapters. It can be a little jarring to go from a historical story about the penny farthing straight into a story about visiting a wheel factory in America today.

But in the end, they are connected. And I think that's the point of the book.

Bicycles connect us all, in so many ways and have shaped a lot of our automotive lives today. Roads, for one thing-The bicycle literally paved the way for all road users today. Tarmac roads where used to aid cyclists, years before the car was even invented (A useful piece of info in the never-ending car vs bike debate).

Just one of the many interesting facts I have learnt from reading this book.

Thanks for reading folks.

Are you reading anything about two wheels at the moment? Let me know your recommendations on the old social media places!

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OFO - A good reason to buy a real bike.

Recently, a company by the name Ofo set up shop in my home city of Oxford and being of a two wheeled persuasion, lots of people have asked me what it's all about. So I thought i'd investigate.

Here are the facts. Ofo is a bike hiring service, dubbed “Uber for bicycles”, you download their app, find a bike and away you pedal.

Full disclosure, I live just out side of the city and I did have to ride my own bike to get to the nearest ofo bike.

The app includes a map that tells you all the locations of all the Ofo bikes so you can easily find the one nearest to you. It showed me that the closest one was at the Park & Ride. Which makes sense. You've parked up, but don't fancy paying the extra for the bus. Then unlock an ofo bike and head into town. For me, this is where the problems began.

I scan the bike that was there and received an error message: Bike is locked, out of authorised zone. Off to a flying start. The Park & Ride is not in the authorised zone! So I checked the map and the next nearest bike was at the train station – another 10 minute cycle.

Just outside the station I find the distinctive yellow bike and attempt to unlock it. Success this time, the timer starts. This is how the app knows how much to charge you. (There is currently a six week free trial, but in the future its £1.00 an hour).

So I decide to take a little trip around the city.

The bike it's self is ok. They have been designed for all types of rider, so it's a fixed gear with a low cross bar, responsive brakes and pretty light weight. I have to adjust the seat almost immediately as the last user left it on the lowest setting. I've never used a fixed gear bicycle before and I did learn that I don't like them, so the day wasn't a complete waste.

I decided to stop in the centre of town. To end your journey you simply slide the in-built lock into place and because your app and the bike are connected, the timer stops and your journey has ended. However, I hadn't stopped at a very good place and I spotted a bike rack just ahead, so I thought I'd just unlock it again, put it in the bike rack and that'll be that. Except that when I turned on the app it still thought I was riding.

But it was locked!

Seeing no way to resolve it I called the ofo phone line that is printed on the bike. They told me that there is an issue with the app and they are working hard to resolve it but there was nothing she could do right now. So that was it, I had no choice but to leave the bike where it was and walk back to the station.

I think my biggest question still remains with these bikes.

Exactly who are they for?

I assume they are supposed to be aimed at students, but then I would argue that you can pretty much walk across Oxford (for free) and even if you went a bit further, the bike would be out of the authorised zone.

Time will tell if this actually takes off but for now I wouldn't recommend it. You'd be better off spending your money on a real bike.

Thanks for reading folks.

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Oxford Bike Week 10th - 18th of June 2017

This week is National Bike Week, a week of rides and events all over the country, celebrating everything thats great about getting out on two wheels. (The non-motorised kind!)

In my home city of Oxford, cycling is obviously very popular amongst the town and gown alike. There are lots of cycling events scheduled this week and hopefully I will get to attend a couple. All of the events can be found at www.bikeweek.org.uk/events

One of the ideas behind Oxford Bike week is to encourage more people to get out there and do some cycling.

I think cycling is not only good for the environment and your general health, but it can also be good for the soul. There are some amazing buildings and landmarks that I get to see and enjoy that I would otherwise miss if I were driving.

Like thousands of other people, my journey to work sends me through the heart of the city. It can be tough sometimes, especially with our current infrastructure but cycling through this beautiful city does have a few perks.

So here are my top five soul stirring sites of my daily commute. (I'm no expert on these places and I'd like to thank Wikipedia for the information).

NUMBER 5: Osney Bridge

When I first started cycling into Oxford I used to dread it. For a novice rider it can be a little tough to get over, but after a while I got used to it. But it really is the point in my journey when I know that I'm in the city.

NUMBER 4: The Oxford Playhouse.

The playhouse was built in 1938. A wonderful looking building that has seen some of the greatest actors and actresses of all time. Sir Ian McKellen, Judi Dench and perhaps most notably Richard Burton and Elisabeth Taylor, who now have a studio within the playhouse named after them.

NUMBER 3: The Randolph

Possibly the best hotel in the city. Certainly the best looking!

NUMBER 2: Ashmolean Museum

Exactly opposite the Randolph, is the Ashmolean Museum. The ancient Egyptian stuff is a particular highlight but don't take my word for it, if you've got time, park up your bike and have a look. It's free 

entry.

NUMBER 1: The Eagle and Child

Not just a great place to get a pint after a long cycle, but an amazing part of Oxfords history. A group of poets and writers known as the Inkings used to meet here. Amongst them were such literary greats as C.S Lewis and J.R.R. Tolken.

So thats about it. And this is just the quickest route to work for me. I know there are many, many more site to see around the city.

So why not give it a go yourself, who knows what you might find.

Introduction

As the bio at the top of the page says, this blog will be all about two wheeled contraptions as long as they are cool, classic or vintage. We are talking bicycles and motorbikes here. Sorry, no scooters or those stupid hoverboard things. (I’m not sorry).

Motorbikes and bicycles are not communities that usually go hand in hand these days, but once upon a time a motorbike was just a bicycle with an engine attached! I’m sure there are people who would disagree with that statement, but that's also what this blog going to be about. I consider myself a student of these machines, on a journey of discovery.

That’s where the “Ronin” part of the title comes from. A Ronin is a samurai without a master and thats what I am. Okay I’m not actually a samurai, obviously, but I like the idea. I don’t have a master when it comes to this stuff, bar a few books, online articles and youtube videos. I’m self-taught and learn by doing, surely the best way to learn anything.

I’ve been a bicycle rider for many years and enjoy all types of cycling. Mostly leisure riding and mountain biking. I’m an everyday commuter in Oxford, which bring with it, its own two wheel challenges.

I do my own bicycle repairs and am now quite adept a changing brakes and fixing punctures. Building my skills from these repairs has also lead me to my first foray into restoration. My current project is restoring an old Raleigh hustler from the 60’s. More on that in future posts.

As for the motorbike side of things I have to confess I’m a bit of a novice but I’ve had a great appreciation for these machine and a particular interest in British classics, vintage rides and motorcycle history.

So basically that what this blog is all about and I hope you will enjoy reading about my adventures on two wheels.

I'm also all over the social media which you can find below.

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