Today's County in the Spotlight:Part 2

[NewcastleFalcon]

Without looking too hard for an alternative, and I have darkened its doors...(you have to really if you are in Nottingham) a quirkily named, and I love a quirky name, ancient Nottingham hostelry.

Hands up if you have been in

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

Even if you know nowt about Nottingham quite a high proportion of the United Kingdom, and FCF population will have indulged in the rite of passage pastime of riding a bicycle, on a bike made in Nottingham.

So hands up and and lets have a post for the thread if you have ever had a Raleigh bicycle or moped, including "choppers" more well known for the model name than the makers name.

After you...

Regards Neil

[mickthemaverick]

With England caning the Kiwis at Lord's at this very moment my thoughts automatically ran to Nottingham's Test venue, Trent Bridge. I've only been there once for the third day in the Ashes test in the Queens Silver Jubilee year 1977. It was Ian Botham's debut for England but Geoffrey Boycott was the hero with high scores in both innings giving us our first Ashes win there for many years:

BFTW

Read all about the ground here

[mickthemaverick]

Even if you know nowt about Nottingham quite a high proportion of the United Kingdom, and FCF population will have indulged in the rite of passage pastime of riding a bicycle, on a bike made in Nottingham.

So hands up and and lets have a post for the thread if you have ever had a Raleigh bicycle or moped, including "choppers" more well known for the model name than the makers name.

After you...

Regards Neil

I have already posted the most memorable thing about my bike in a post here
, but I can at least add a picture of the machine involved: my Raleigh Sport although mine was the same frame colour as this picture it was fitted with metallic blue mudguards and chain guard and a tan saddle!!

A similar bike to mine!

[mickthemaverick]

One of the most comprehensive Wiki pages I have come across is the one linked below about Retford, or East Retford as it has been known. A comprehensive coverage of many aspects of the town in North Nottinghamshire which makes fascinating reading!

BFTW

The link to Wiki is here.

[NewcastleFalcon]

A few snaps of my Bicycle from Nottingham





Regards Neil

[mickthemaverick]

There is a very rare sight to be found in Nottinghamshire just north of Newark. It is the last remaining flat railway crossing on the Network Rail network in the United Kingdom. For fairly obvious reasons the practice has been discontinued throughout the network wherever economic and physical conditions allow:

BFTW

Read all about it here

[Paul-R]

That looks astonishingly dangerous. In different circumstances I would say it was a fake photo.

[mickthemaverick]

I have to agree there Paul but it is real I'm sure. You only have to type 'Newark flat crossing' into a search engine to turn up plenty of photos of it including some with trains crossing it. Geograph has this to offer, and more information and pictures here

[mickthemaverick]

Reading back over the last few posts I wondered if there was any connection between the railways and Robin Hood. I wasn't disappointed and came across this logo and photo leading to the information linked below:

BFTW

BFTW

The story is here

[mickthemaverick]

A Nottinghamshire poser - During the period 1974 - 1977 two rival situation comedies were competing for ratings between the BBC and ITV. They had a common link which also links to our county so what was it and how does it link to Nottinghamshire?

[myglaren]

The first and only bike I bought when I was 13 was a Raleigh, five bob a week.
I needed it to do my paper rounds and the paper rounds to pay for the bike.

Visited a member of another forum who lived in Nottn'm, gypsy bloke but not nomadic, lived in a house and didn't tarmac drives. Haven't seen him in years now.

[NewcastleFalcon]

I am sure that were Citrojim still active on the FCF he would have loved this thread, and would have made plenty contributions. So while we are in Nottinghamshire's day in the spotlighty we need a picture of the iconic Raleigh Chopper. So here's one from an old post by Jim. 90% sure there is a video knocking around of someone doing the Tour de France Route on a Chopper

Spotted at Cafe Ventoux yesterday... See my blog for more details of this epic adventure!

The second was this beautifully restored Raleigh Chopper... It is perfect



The chrome plating - which has been redone - is better than factory!

So the score so far...only 3 FCF members have declared they have had a Raleigh Bicycle...surely not

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

2015...this bloke did it

Chopper charity rider causes bemusement on Tour de France mountains
When Dave Sims rode the 2015 Tour de France route on a Raleigh Chopper, it didn't please everyone to be passed by a bloke on a vintage kid's bike.
Cycling weekly story here
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/late ... ins-185788

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

I'll have a go at the quiz shortly.

Nottinghamshire regs before 1974
AL, NN, RR, TO, TV, VO

Regards Neil