So, I have always wanted an RC200. A few months ago I bought a mint example, but it was too big really. I never really felt comfortable although it was a dream to ride.

I spotted an 18″ on eBay a few days ago. Pics looked ok, description wasn’t best, talked of ‘normal wear & scratches’ and a creaky BB. Turns out it was being sold by the brother of the account holder.

A bit suspect, but I was determined to get an 18″ and I won the auction.

Drove to Newcastle today from Bolton, and was met by Ken, a 60 year old Geordie with a worn appearance, but friendly beyond doubt.

First of all, handshakes, tea and something to eat was offered.

I accepted the tea, went to his shed (this is where is gets good)….holy crap, it was small but was PACKED to the rafters with tools and wood.

Back to the bike, he wheeled out an immaculate RC200 and I mean IMMACULATE! I was staggered; my current one doesn’t have a mark on it but this was gleaming.

Ken: “Oh aye, some lad I know raced it for a few months from new, got an injury and then it sat in a garage for 9 years. I bought it and I’ve done 100 miles most – I like my road bike more”

Back inside, we talk and turns out the guy makes the odd thing. I enquired…..

Basically:

Ken: “Oh I’ve always made things out of wood”

Me: “Oh right, like furniture and stuff”

Ken: “Yeah, that’s it, I’ve worked in SA (here there and eveywhere), I plaster, build, and make stuff – currently though I’m making Mandolins”

Me: “Sorry?”

Ken: “Yeah, have a look”

…and Ken then presented me with the most exquisitely crafted thing I have ever seen…

Me: “What, you made all of this…in there?” pointing to his shed.

Ken: “Oh aye, including the ivory signature in the top there. That’s my surname that is.”

Me: “How the hell did you carve that out, lazer?!”

Ken: “Nah, me saw”

Anyhow, much conversation ensured and we went back to the shed where Ken spent hours chatting s he downloaded years of woodworking techniques to me and showing me how he makes these instruments, with the various bits of wood which he sources from around the world. His knowledge of wood, techniques and tools was staggering – I wasn’t just gong along with him, the guy was a total unassuming genius. His wife thought I needed saving, but I didn’t, I actually had forgotten all about the bike.

Turns out Ken struggles (he wasn’t trying it on) as PAYE jobs are hard to come by and he just makes stuff as self employed – he sounded positive though as apparently people are snapping at his heels for this mandolin’s – £1k a time. He’ll make it I’m sure, but I got the feeling he lives from payment to payment and the time he puts into these instruments really dictates he should ask more.

If he was on STW he’s wipe the floor with any of us; a proper gent, skilled and a biker.

As I was leaving with the bike in boot, I shook his hand, said I’ll keep in touch (I will) and he seemed dispondant having emptied so much of his life in that shed.

“You’re living a good life Ken, better than me that just sits in an office” I said

“Aye, aye, I’ve lived, travelled, shagged a few nice birds”

So thanks Ken, your mint RC200 has met it’s last owner, and cheers for tea and offer of pizza 😀

Oh, and what the hell were you thinking of with that stem & seat position??

Mint! (the story & the bike!)

Nice story that.

And the bike looks lovely.

Go on. Admit it – you tidied that garden before you posted the pic.

Needs mandolin pics.

Needs mandolin pics.

I only thought that as I was driving back – I’ll see if he can send me some. He said that he makes CD’s for the buyers of each one (I have no idea how he does that as he doesn’t even have an ebay account!)

Have you seen this though?

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/STOLEN-Newcastle-PACE-RC-200

Very nice…bikes and story.

Bregante, link seems to be a dud. Or…..

🙂

The story is better than the bike. 😉

Just spoke to him again, here’s one (photo doesn’t do justice, he was talking me through Stradivarius techniques and how he does extra layers of something!) The effort he does to align grains is astounding!

I’m going out riding with this guy soon; 90 min drive but what the heck.

EDIT: He makes EVERYTHING apart from the tuner things (technical term)

That is worth £1000 of anybody’s money. If only I could play……

that bike is SEX.. result..envy envy envy

Nice end to the week that story. One word

WOW

Brilliant tun of events

A mate of mine at uni at had an RC200. Even I was really gutted when he sold it. What a lovely bike. And what a lovely hand crafted instrument, I’d say that’s a bargain at a grand.

Cheers,
Jamie

that bike is SEX.

I should say you’re exaggerating, but you’re not! (and you’re clearly a ‘believer’ 😀 )

Tomorrow I will be up at 6am swapping over thomson stem, seatpost, x-lite bar-ends and replacing riser bars…then getting out feeling $1m 😀

Beautiful bike a great story and Ken sounds like a top, top bloke!

I used to have an RC300, with the carbon seat tube, bought new in 2001.

Nicked.

Are you selling the other Pace?

Beautiful bike a great story and Ken sounds like a top, top bloke!

Ta 😀 Ken is a legend in my eyes and one of those people that is genuinely interesting, talented, humble and kind.

I’ve not met many like that.

Are you selling the other Pace?

Yes, I will be – I’ve tried to contact the guy that sold it to me to see if he wants it back but he’s changed his number. Immaculate with Hope pro 3’s, pace carbon front hub – belting bike.

EDIT: I have the birth certificate as well for that bike from Pace

😀

Great looking bike,think I’ve got bit of a man crush on Ken though.
how’s that rear disc?

Great tale. Thanks for sharing.

Thats a beautiful bike and a great story

Cannibalised thomson & xlite finishing kit off the other one and some fettling later:

Great looking bike,think I’ve got bit of a man crush on Ken though.
how’s that rear disc?

Cheers, haven’t ridden it yet! Off to spend more money at LBS on some exotic nobblies now 🙂

That bikes lovely 😀 my late fil made things out of wood, guitars, lutes, mandolins and clocks including the gubbins.. All handmade without power tools..

It works and keeps time as well…

Go on. Admit it – you tidied that garden before you posted the pic

Missed that. Yes, yes I did!

“Aye, aye, I’ve lived, travelled, shagged a few nice birds”

Top bloke. 🙂

Love the bike.
Even now I can get a semi for one of those Manitou full suss frames.

Sweet baby Jaysus that’s a nice Pace. Stunning. Please ride it and enjoy it. 🙂
Nice story too. 🙂

Great story and great looking bike. I’ll make an assumption here, if you bought an 18″ bike the old one must have been a 20″? If so, please, please post when you go to sell it as I REALLY want one!!!!

Lunge, it’s a 19″ but feels bigger.

…and as you asked.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300917141052?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Obviously heavily discounted if sold here 😀

This may be a daft question – but are those forks on back to front? 😉

No they are meant to be that way round. Genuine non sarcastic answer btw.

So I gather – they look bloody stupid like that.

Well someone has bought my old RC200 with the ‘stupid’ forks and the new one has been to LBS for BB service & some knobblies: 2.25 Evo on front, 2.1 normal on back (I’m not made of money).

Perfect valve/schwalbe logo alignment by LBS – not that I’m fussed but love that attention to detail. Ace shop.

Still hunting for a flite ti saddle – gold Vault pins on order.

Anyhow, here’s a crap updated pic for those that may care.

(Anyone got a Hope ST BB servicing tool by the way?)

EDIT: Oh, and it turns out Ken has written his full name and address in felt-tip on the underneath of top tube. Love him! I’m leaving it there 😀