This is 'Sir Walter', a bike I built with my friend, P. Lynn Miler of CTA, Sydney http://www.chainringtransitauthority.com/ .

I wanted a 650b bike for brevets, day rides and light tours. However, cost was a serious factor, and so we managed to scrape together a 'Budget Randonneuse". The frame is a 59cm Raleigh Phantom. Found in the attic at CTA, and bought for a day's labour in the workshop. I am from the Midlands, very near to Nottingham, UK. All my early bikes were Raleigh's, so I was very happy to find this monster. Also, I like the Anglo-French nature of a (French) 650b and (English) Raleigh. Roast beef and red wine? Beer and Brie?

SuginoTriple Touring Crank, soon to receive a third chainring. Suntour front and rear derailleurs, Campagnolo downtube shifters, SR alloy stem, ITM alloy drop bars, a vintage set of Mafac half-hood brake levers and SR touring pedals. Front rack from a Fuji tourer, on loan from Lynn. Most of the bike came from the Aladdin's Cave that is the CTA workshop.

The wheelset is the budget CTA 650b wheels built by Velocity with Triple-V rims and Formula 9 spd hubset

The new parts list includes the alloy seat post and ubiquitous Brooks B-17, wheelset, cassette, chain, tyres, tubes, cables, and handlebar tape. And, of course, a set of NOS Mafac Raid centerpull brakes.

Finished off with bespoke handlebar bag from CTA. This is a prototype, and is destined to be tested in vivo, to destruction.

Due to family commitments and life in general my capacity to wander around the countryside has become limited. In order to get use out of this bike it now has a Topeak Child Carrier on the back and is the 'Tres Chic' method of transport for my eldest son. The addition of my second son will eventually lead to a trailer (and the need for a triple chainring).

Many thanks to Lynn, who never looked angry every time I asked if there was a cheaper option.

The photos were taken on a two-day ride in Northern New South Wales, Australia.

Duncan Loasby
Sydney

duncan.loasby@tpg.com.au