I am the proud and happy owner of a 1955 Raleigh Lenton Sports - Reg Harris Road Model that I affectionately call "Reg". Although he's 10 years older than me we do share the commonality that we're both fixed.

The story on how I came to posess such a beautiful bike is located here:

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=99904

Now there is a certain beautiful lady who has been promising me dinner if I should make the trip out to see her (and her family)... I don't ever need an excuse to ride 50 km and the combination of some wonderful home cooking and delightful company was irresistable.

I got Reg ready last night and got my paniers packed with all the essentials for a day trip in Alberta... I don't leave home without my tools, first aid kit, rain gear, cel phone, and my camera as well as a sufficient quantity of water and snackage.

Here's Reg just before we headed out...

http://members.shaw.ca/feynn/biking/Tour1/readyreg.jpg

We could not have had a better day for riding as we enjoyed a little tailwind on the first 50 km which was nice since the first 37 km is pretty much all one gradual climb with the last 13 being a liesurely descent across the crest and into the bottom of the Sturgeon valley.

There was only one big bump on the road which is the final little climb before you reach the crest of the valley and a lovely little creek and backwater / pond that was full of ducks.

http://members.shaw.ca/feynn/biking/Tour1/climb1.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/feynn/biking/Tour1/climb2.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/feynn/biking/Tour1/pond.jpg

I let Reg have a rest after working so hard and took that time to suck back some water as it was a balmy 28 C this afternoon.

http://members.shaw.ca/feynn/biking/Tour1/regresting.jpg

After a two and a half hours of rather liesurely pedalling and picture taking we arrived at the farm to find my friend busily cooking Sunday dinner for about a dozen... it's a big family day and I was pretty honoured to have been invited out.

My friend is an awesome cook...

Teriyaki beef, a vegetablestir fry, fresh vegetable sushi, and some Sleeman's ale really made for one excellent meal and afterwards we helped out with the feeding of the multitude of animals including horses, sheep, goats, pigs, ducks, llamas, asses, and this monster... a Jacob's sheep

http://members.shaw.ca/feynn/biking/Tour1/jacob1.jpg

And he's a cranky Jacob's sheep
http://members.shaw.ca/feynn/biking/Tour1/jacob2.jpg

All good things must come to an end and since my friend was exhausted and I needed to make it home before dark we said our goodnights and Reg and I hit the road.

The ride home was pleasant after we made the climb out of the valley and once we passed the crest it was pretty much downhill, or at least flat all the way home.

Reg and I averaged 25 kmh on the ride home which included several stops to take pictures of what really is big sky country and to take some riding videos which I am having no luck uploading... we were really tearing it up over some long stretches and the video looks pretty cool.

Here's that big sky...

http://members.shaw.ca/feynn/biking/Tour1/valley1.jpg

The day really could not have gotten any better.

The day really could not have gotten any better.

It is indeed hard to imagine a better day than that.

Thanks for taking the time to share!

Thanks for the pix, and I enjoyed reading about your Lenton and how you acquired it. Have you ever considered have it repainted, or would that ruin its collectability? How does it ride with the panniers? The forks have some serious rake going on.

tarwheel - I would never repaint the Lenton unless I had all the factory transfers and even then I might choose to just leave Reg as he is... that patina of age was earned over more than 50 years of riding under our summer skies.

The bike is really a stellar ride as the slack frame and fork angles, 26 by 1 1/4 Dunlop wheels and tires (they run 65 psi), and vintage saddle really combine to make this a seriously comfortable and stable bike... I only remember that I have paniers on when then start climbing.

BTW I want you to know that I take great execption to you calling someone and something younger than me "Old Geezers"!

Speaking of geezers, I am one year older than your Lenton.

I meant no offense but was just thinking that threads need catchy titles...LOL.

I also have bikes that are older than the Lenton...

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=101870