Olympic Cycles Nottingham...any memories..

[vcballbat]

Picked up a couple of bikes earlier this year one of which is one of three bikes the seller had badged up Olympic Cycles Nottingham. The shop was at 213 Valley Road Sherwood Nottingham. I would love to find out more about the shops history and it's owner so any information would be greatly appreciated.. many thanks in advance.

 

[jim haseltine]

It was at the Hucknall/Valley Road roundabout near the hospital back in the 1990s, a proper Aladdin's Cave LBS. Drove past there one time about 10 years ago when my daughter was at Trent Uni and there was no sign of it.

 

[oldave]

As above. Went in a few times probably c.15 - 20 years ago, when original owner still there. I think he actually built frames at one time. When he retired his successor carried on for a few years but I would say closed at least 12 years ago. I did once meet the original man at a CTC
event.
My memory may or may not be accurate!

 

[vcballbat]

Thanks for your replys, found a bit more information on Cycling UK that the shop was run by Granville Horton and closed around 2007, his assistant Nigel took over the shop for a short time. Sounds like Granville was an active member of Beauvale CC...

olympic cycles - Cycling UK Forum

 

[jim haseltine]

Going by the head badge the frame was built/sprayed prior to 1995 - the Nottingham STD code changed from 0602 to 0115 and existing numbers were prefixed with a 9 in April of that year.

 

[vcballbat]

Going by the head badge the frame was built/sprayed prior to 1995 - the Nottingham STD code changed from 0602 to 0115 and existing numbers were prefixed with a 9 in April of that year.

The frame was built in 1981 by Raleigh's Specialist Bicycle Development Unit at Ilkeston so it didn't travel far, think that it has been repainted though. Another frame from the same owner that maybe an Aende another local buider and badged Olympic. Both were built with new or mint top quality components. I'm wondering if they were acquired when the shop closed...

 

[3wheeler7]

Hi, yes you're right, Granville Horton was the proprietor of Olympic Cycles and ran Beauvale CC, he's still listed as a VCC member.
He lives a few miles from me, a very nice chap and I bought my ex Cliff Smith RRA from him, he was given it by Cliffs family for all the support he gave Cliff .

 

[vcballbat]

Hi, yes you're right, Granville Horton was the proprietor of Olympic Cycles and ran Beauvale CC, he's still listed as a VCC member.
He lives a few miles from me, a very nice chap and I bought my ex Cliff Smith RRA from him, he was given it by Cliffs family for all the support he gave CliffView attachment 664416.

Hi, thanks for the information, how long ago did you acquire the RRA ? it would be great to get in contact with Granville to find more about the Raleigh 753 Dynaflite. The original owner of the collection of bikes had a flat close to the shop and was a bit of a collector/horder but sadly passed away suddenly last year and the bikes along with loads of cycling memorabilia was put up for sale by his brother in law at Eastwood. The other bike I acquired was probably the regular rider a Cinelli...or is it..

 

[3wheeler7]

Hi, I bought the RRA about 3 years ago in quite a sad state and built it up as a fixie, then I researched its history and got some photos of Cliff competing on it from his grandson (who now owns Cliffs best race bike), I then rebuilt it to the spec of when Cliff used it (rBotM November 2021).
If you're a VCC member Granville's contact details are in the 2022-2023 YearBook - if not I'll give him a call and ask if it's OK for you to contact him.

 

[vcballbat]

Hi, I bought the RRA about 3 years ago in quite a sad state and built it up as a fixie, then I researched its history and got some photos of Cliff competing on it from his grandson (who now owns Cliffs best race bike), I then rebuilt it to the spec of when Cliff used it (rBotM November 2021).
If you're a VCC member Granville's contact details are in the 2022-2023 YearBook - if not I'll give him a call and ask if it's OK for you to contact him.

I'm not in the VCC so would be great if you can give him a call, I'll PM my contact information over... many thanks for your help..