Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin....
My regular route into Bury takes me through one of our dormitory villages. I take this route because there used to be a trebuchet there. (I know! Every time I passed it, I would think- it's a trebuchet!) Anyway, in this village, there is a house that has a permanent garage sale. It ranges from 'Kindling- 50p/bag' through to 'tomato's- £1' and a great deal of puzzles and bad ceramics. Rarely do I pass without there being some BSO in the yard. All this is 'IN AID OF GUIDE DOGS'.
So on Sunday when I passed my eye was taken by a bike looking bike. I slowed to admire- ooo red - but had no time to stop as I was due to lead the slow ride.
Although it was a good 5 miles out of my way, once I had shepherded my charges back into town, I came home the same way for a closer look. As soon as I parked up the fixie at the kerb Mr Sales leapt out and said 'You've come to look at the Dawes, haven't you?' I could not disabuse him.
Apparently, I was the fourth cyclist to do so. This is what happens on NCN13. Unfortunately the previous stopper had told Mr Sales that if he were to strip it and sell it on ebay the stem alone would go for £60. I wasn't convinced... I took it for a little spin up the road, having ascertained it was, in fact, runt sized, and re-engaged with not just my youth, but my father's. It's lovely. I haggled, but I did have to pay a little bit more than £26 8s 2d. I wish it had been the model with the alloy half guards and downtube bottle and carrier!
I'm off for another spin on it now... It makes me feel stylish. I can't believe how much of the stuff on it appears to be original- it has Dawes mudguards. It's older than me and does appear to be in somewhat better shape. I guess I'm higher mileage?
(Apparently between me paying the deposit and collecting, there were another 2 queries. Like I said, it's really pretty.)
