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Ray and Linda Dickinson ran Rays Cycles for 27 years and closed it down last year to concentrate on cycle touring and living it up.
"Although missing the trade we have already riden the Pilgrims Way from France To Saniago de Compostela," Ray Dickinson told bikebiz.co.uk.
Partly to fund future trips and partly to let others see a piece of British bicycle history, the Dickinson’s are seeking to sell their Raleigh Centenary gold-plated 53-framed road bike which was produced in 1987 to commemorate the one hundred years of Raleigh cycle manufacturingin 1987.
Only 100 of these bikes were made. All went to Raleigh’s top accounts.
"Our bike has all the certificates and is number 9 and has never been used. It was based on Raleigh’s top of the range racing bike of the time and is fitted with Shimano 105 12 speed group set and has a 22" frame. Together with this, we have all the documents, the 1987 century calendar and a boxed fine-porcelain plate depicting 100 years of cycle manufacturing, again a limited edition," said Linda Dickenson.
The most likely (and best?) home for the rare bike is a cycle museum and the Dickinson’s feel the bike should be auctioned, possibly via the annual Phillips Auction of Cycles and Memorablia.
"We would like to think of it going on display somewhere rather than it just being stored away as at present," said Ray Dickinson.
If you would like to make an offer for the bike, or have some idea of its value, email the Dickinson’s at: ray@rayscycles.fsbusiness.co.uk
If you were one of the other dealers to purchase this bike at the time and still have it in mint condition please email century@bikebiz.co.uk or discuss your ownership on the bulletin board.
