Boro Bicycle Clip Diaries

rob_fmttm

rob_fmttm

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Boro fan Nick Raistrick published a book of a round the world odyssey on ordinary, utilitarian bikes that started from a chance discovery of a mysterious envelope in Middlesbrough suburban garage clear out. The bicycle clips he found left to him helped Nick through several different continents and over several different grades of surfaces. A chance to reflect on the changing, shrinking world as he took time out on cycle paths and potholed slow lanes. If you like cycles or/and you enjoy an alternative view of backwaters of the world from a less than comfortable saddle this book is a winner.
I got Nick to tell us about his Boro match memories and he also has an incredible offer, if you follow the link and buy from his website then you can contribute to a grass roots charity set up in one of the regions profiled in the book. in east Africa.
Read a few lines from Nick about his Boro HERE
 

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Just bought it via Kindle $3, I'm not sure if that helps?
Still trying to read that book on lord haw-haw that was recommended b on this site . Have to say, so far, so good.
I always wanted to ride the northern tier of the USA. It's one of several coast-to,,-coast routes in the USA. This one follows the Canadian border.
 
I will let the author know about these purchases. He will be delighted I think by people buying it with Boro connections.
Does the Lord Haw Haw book shed on any light as to whether he came to work in East Cleveland on the unemployment relief project at Heartbreak Hill before the War?
 
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Didn't mention that. States that prior to the war he was employed by the fascist organisation run by Mosley and that he often took up speaking duties on behalf of that fascist party which led him to travel around the United kingdom. Apparently this was one of the reasons why he had such a good knowledge of places in the UK that were being bombed by the Germans when he was doing his broadcasts.
What was the project at heartbreak hill? I do know or at least I think that the coast Road between marske and red car was built as part of the operations game during the Great depression
 
That sounds like a fun read, I'll order a copy. I've been a long-time supporter of people riding ordinary bikes in everyday clothes.
 
Shorts and T-shirt in summer and whatever keeps you warm in winter. I'm talking more about people using the bike in everyday situations in the same way that we'd go for a walk without the need to put on specialist clothes or equipment, not long day rides where specialist clothing is clearly advisable. I've cycled through the Dales on a post bike with only one gear. An experience.
 
pierrequiroule said:
Shorts and T-shirt in summer and whatever keeps you warm in winter. I'm talking more about people using the bike in everyday situations in the same way that we'd go for a walk without the need to put on specialist clothes or equipment, not long day rides where specialist clothing is clearly advisable. I've cycled through the Dales on a post bike with only one gear. An experience.
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Lots of walking I'm sure. My old man used to cycle around on A3 speed triumph with just a saddle bag. He loved it. Just walked when it got hilly
 
buffaloboro said:
Depends on the climate. UK is a lot more amiable to that
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Nick was riding ordinary bikes in Africa and South America - so it wasn't what you might call temperate climate.
Heartbreak Hill was part of a major unemployment relief scheme for out of work ironstone miners where levels were over 90% in parts. Colonel Pennyman started it off. There were a lot of students from Britain and overseas (including Germany) helping out initially and some were from very right wing background indeed. In the entourage of Rolf Gardiner. Later on in the scheme with the help of Ruth Pennyman, the Colonel's far more leftish wife and people like Wilf Franks and Michael Tippett they weeded out the right wing involvement.
Another Boro fan, Danyel Gilgan has written a fascinating biography of Wilf Franks with a really interesting passage about East Cleveland, also published this year.
But I would recommend The Bicycle Clip Diaries by Nick - and do have a look at his Boro memories - linked from the start of this thread.
 
Great bike, lasted for years. Nothing n fancy but it worked. I suppose the Dutch uprights would be today's version
 
rob_fmttm said:
Nick was riding ordinary bikes in Africa and South America - so it wasn't what you might call temperate climate.
Heartbreak Hill was part of a major unemployment relief scheme for out of work ironstone miners where levels were over 90% in parts. Colonel Pennyman started it off. There were a lot of students from Britain and overseas (including Germany) helping out initially and some were from very right wing background indeed. In the entourage of Rolf Gardiner. Later on in the scheme with the help of Ruth Pennyman, the Colonel's far more leftish wife and people like Wilf Franks and Michael Tippett they weeded out the right wing involvement.
Another Boro fan, Danyel Gilgan has written a fascinating biography of Wilf Franks with a really interesting passage about East Cleveland, also published this year.
But I would recommend The Bicycle Clip Diaries by Nick - and do have a look at his Boro memories - linked from the start of this thread.
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That's interesting, I'm going to have to look that up.
 
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