BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
The National Cycle Museum will present a selection of its finest vintage bicycles at the BikeBiz Awards, taking place at the Hitlon Metropole on September 25th.
Secretary to the trust, Paul Arnold told BikeBiz: "We’re looking at bringing a circa 1890 Cushion Tyre Safety Cycle, a Racing Trike and a Flying Gate Time trial machine to the Awards."
The Cycle Museum, based in Llandrindod Wells, Powys, is a charitable trust and a company limited by guarantee. Charitable donations keep the museum open, though Arnold says it’s no easy task for the volunteers to keep the building running.
"We would welcome some sponsorship of our fantastic collection from the cycling trade," adds Arnold. "We’re entirely staffed by unpaid volunteers and enthusiasts."
Among many other vintage cycles at the museum, you’ll find the Chris Boardman Lotus Sport Olympic Replica, which was used as a reserve machine together with the 1992 Olympic racing skin. Another highlight is the bicycle ridden by Mr George Nightingale when he achieved the record breaking time of less than one hour for 25 miles in 1939.
Arnold also told BikeBiz of a newly established link with the University of Warwick, which will assist in building a database for vintage cycles. He said: "Our aims and objectives are to preserve the historic cycle collection and associated accessories together with related publications and ephemera. We have recently established links with the Modern Records Centre of the University of Warwick and a database has been established with the Veteran-Cycle Club to give access to these archives."
The collection is housed within a rented space at the Automobile Palace, an art nouveau building situated in Llandrindod Wells, Powys, and well worth a visit in its own right.
The NCM also publishes a regular informative magazine containing articles on significant figures from cycling history and details of cycle designs and marques. There are also details of events, new exhibits planned, opening schedules for the museum and even the odd joke.
To see opening hours, arrange a visit for a group or school class, donate to the charity, or simply browse the archives, visit the NCM website here.
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An independent panel of at least 50 judges from the trade will select their recommendations for each BikeBiz Awards category. If you’d like to be part of the judging process, or have any questions, please contact the team at bikeawards@intentmedia.co.uk.
Tickets cost just £35 and include entrance, two drinks and a hot buffet – plus chance to hobnob with the rest of the trade in an informal gathering. You can buy your tickets to the Awards night online here.
