Don’s wheely interested in vintage bikes

Mar 21 2008 By Alastair McNeill

A BOTHWELL man has assembled an impressive array of vintage bicycles.

Don Riley’s collection, which currently totals 12 bikes, focuses on models made by Scottish companies in the first half of the 20th century.

It comprises bikes made by the Worrall company of Hamilton - and Glasgow firms, the Argyll Company and David Rattray Ltd.

Models in Don’s collection include Worrall’s Continental and Rattray’s Flying Scot.

Mr Riley, a retired vehicle parts man, has put the collection together in the last few years.

“I used to do a lot of cycling when I was younger. In the 1960s I’d regularly cycle from Bothwell to Lanark and back on a Friday night throughout the year, and then do a big run on the Sunday,” said the 58-year-old.

“I can’t do nearly as much cycling these days.

“But in the last few years I’ve rediscovered bicycles, and collecting them has become my hobby.”

The oldest bike in Don’s collection is a ‘Roadster’ made in Glasgow in 1927 by the Victoria Cycle Company Ltd of Dennistoun.

“I bought it at a car boot sale four years ago,” he said.

“It’s not greatly valuable, but it is rare. There won’t be many Victoria Roadsters left in working order.”

At the moment Don, a member of the Veteran Cycle Club (Scottish section) is renovating a bike made by Hamilton company E & S Worrall.

Ernie and Stanley Worrall, who made bikes from the 1930s to the 1960s, were based in Duke Street.

“It’s a Worrall’s Continental model made in Hamilton in 1949”, explained Mr Riley.

“I prefer not to renovate bikes. I like to keep them, as much as possible, in their original condition.

“However, the Worrall’s bike was in very poor condition, so it requires quite a bit of work to bring it back up to standard.”

“It will be roadworthy by the time I am finished working on it - and it will be used.”