Fingers Crossed

[Muddyfox]

I should find out tomorrow if i'l be getting a (secondhand) Ridgeback Panorama, its from a customer of mine that ive driven for a couple of years and apparently him and his wife were quite keen cycle tourers, but neither of them can cycle anymore so he wants the bike to get some use, he offered the bike to his nephew last spring but he's never shown any interest in collecting the bike so he's going to ring him today and offer it one last time and if he does'nt have, it i can have it for a suitable donation to a charity of his choice, although he has'nt said how much the donation will be ? and after googling the bike i see it cost's £1200.00 today so i would'nt imagine it'l be a small donation ? or that the nephew would turn it down ? but i'l keep my fingers crossed and wait and see what tomorrow brings

Ridgeback Panorama

Simon

 

[Ricd11]

They do look groovy, Ridgebacks all the way! (except I haven't actually toured on mine yet...)

but when I do it'll be beautiful

 

[rich p]

Good luck Simon. Here's hoping

 

[Muddyfox]

Thanks Rich ... i'm not sure how hopefull i am to be honest ? i'm not normally a lucky type of person but i'l keep my fingers crossed and hope that the nephew is'nt interested in cycling

I've known about it since yesterday lunchtime and the weekend is really dragging for me, i dont think i've ever wanted a monday to come around so quickly

I read your write up on your tour of Slovenia and noted that you ride a Galaxy, do you have an opinnion on the Ridgeback ?

Simon

 

[MacB]

There was a thread on the CTC about touring bikes and the Panorama got a lot of recommendations over the Galaxy.

 

[rich p]

No experience at all. I don't even remember considering it as an option at the time!
I love the Galaxy, a bike I really enjoy spending all day every day on for 2 or 3 weeks but part of me wishes that I'd had one custom built for the uniqueness of it.
The Galaxy will probably outlast me though.
I'm on tenterhooks about the Ridgeback now.

 

[Muddyfox]

I got the Ridgeback

He phoned me just after lunch and said that his nephew did'nt want the bike and if i was still interested could i pop round for a coffee and collect it

My donation for the bike will be going to the RSPB which i have given him the money to pay (obviously) he made a couple of stipulations on me having the bike which are
(a) i dont sell it on to make a quick profit
( i have to show him a photograph of the bike with panniers on and beside a tent by the end of the summer

Here's the Bike

I will take some better photos, but i just snapped a few quickies after getting it out of the car to put on here, i did have a short ride on it and its been nearly 30 years since i rode a bike with drops on and i think it might take me a while to get used to the brake lever gear shifters ? and it needs a bit of tweaking here and there to get it spot on for me but overall im a very happy chappy

Simon

 

[Moodyman]

Am so envious - how much was the donation?

 

[Muddyfox]

Am so envious - how much was the donation?

Moodyman ... he wanted a donation of £100

Simon

 

[MacB]

Moodyman ... he wanted a donation of £100

Simon

Now that's a bargain, good for you being in the right place at the right time, the odd bit of luck like that can really lift the spirits

 

[rich p]

Brilliant result. Good riding

 

[Muddyfox]

Now that's a bargain, good for you being in the right place at the right time, the odd bit of luck like that can really lift the spirits

Thanks Mac .. I've been driving the husband and wife for about 3 years now and the only family they have is on her side (1 brother & the nephew) and niether live in this area so i do tend to do quite a bit above and beyond the normal dutys of a Taxi driver for them, quite often unpaid as they are such good customers

He's always shown an interest in my cycling so i guess he knows its going to a good home and one of my conditions is that i get the photo of the laden bike beside the tent so im looking forward to fulfilling that one, the bike feels a little on the big side but i'l spend an afternoon tweaking the saddle and handlebars and hopefully get it so that i dont feel so stretched out when on the drops (or is that normal ?) it'l also get a good clean

Rich ... stand by for lots of newbie touring questions

Simon