Mark Manley
Raleigh Fan
I have had an eye out for a 1990s Raleigh Royal or Randonneur with the 708 tubing frame for a while and this beautiful one owner example came up the other day and my offer was accepted, the only problem was it was 150 miles away and the seller was not offering postage so after some consideration I decided to get the train along with a pair of packed panniers and ride it some or all of the way home.
I did think about taking a well broken in Brooks saddle with me but decided that the one fitted would be ok and it turned out not to be, after about 80 miles and a night camped out at a nice spot besides the Grand Union canal I was rather saddle sore so decided to take the train the rest of the way. It has been well maintained and is complete with all of the original paperwork including the certificate from the builder at their special products division and I think with a couple of modifications, primarily the saddle which has already been changed it will be a keeper.
I did think about taking a well broken in Brooks saddle with me but decided that the one fitted would be ok and it turned out not to be, after about 80 miles and a night camped out at a nice spot besides the Grand Union canal I was rather saddle sore so decided to take the train the rest of the way. It has been well maintained and is complete with all of the original paperwork including the certificate from the builder at their special products division and I think with a couple of modifications, primarily the saddle which has already been changed it will be a keeper.
