JANUARY The Factory FEBRUARY The World of Raleigh MARCH Team Raleigh APRIL The Era of the BMX MAY In Every Corner of the World JUNE Chopper JULY Fashion Bikes AUGUST The Raleigh Celebrity SEPTEMBER I ve Got the Power OCTOBER NOVEMBER Raleigh Champions The All Steel Bicycle Here s to the next 125 years! Raleigh International 136 Church Street, Eastwood Nottingham, NG16 3HT, United Kingdom +44 1773 532600 DECEMBER Children s Bikes
Introduction It would be no surprise to Sir Frank Bowden, Raleigh s founder, that his company would be celebrating 125 years, Victorians built to last. At its height Raleigh Industries employed over 12,000 people and made 4.2 million bicycles per year, exporting nearly 80% to 144 countries. A legacy of 255 million bicycles makes Raleigh the greatest name in cycling. This calendar is part of a collection of publications that have been produced to celebrate 125 years of Raleigh. It covers just a few of the events, people and products involved in the rich history that is both Raleigh and cycling because Raleigh is cycling. Raleigh restored health and gave a long life to its founder. All he wanted was the rest of the world on a bicycle, a Raleigh bicycle, so they too could have the simple happiness and health afforded to him. Enjoy the calendar, enjoy the ride.
THE FACTORY In a small workshop on Raleigh Street, Nottingham, 12 men pushed out 3 bicycles a week. Under Sir Frank Bowden s guidance this factory was moved and became a powerhouse of British manufacturing. The Raleigh factory was always pioneering the latest production techniques such as liquid brazing or using the pressed steel castings which produced the famous All-steel bicycle. Although today the original factory has gone, there are still many skilled technicians and quality controllers employed at Raleigh ensuring Raleigh quality continues today as it did before. January 2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
The World of Raleigh Raleigh s export history is as old as the company. Reports show exports in the 1890s covered from Finland to Spain, and from France to Poland in Europe, as well as the Argentine, the Far East, India, and Africa. 255 million bicycles later and Raleighs are still selling across 6 continents today. February 2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
Over its 125 years Raleigh established many successful road and mountain bike teams. The most famous of which was the men s road racing team of the 1970s and 80s managed by Dutchman Peter Post. They achieved many historic wins throughout this period culminating in the Tour de France victory in 1980. Since 2010 Raleigh have been investing in professional road racing again, under Team Raleigh they hope to emulate the Peter Post success. March 2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
The Era of the BMX The Era of the BMX The success of the Chopper urged Raleigh onto other fun children s bicycles. The three speed Grifter was its first step towards a BMX, but the Burner BMX range was what really counted for Raleigh. Launched in 1982 and selling over one million BMX units Raleigh had another success story on its hands. As the range evolved Raleigh innovated once again to produce the now infamous Vector a BMX filled with electronics. April 2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
IN EVERY CORNER OF THE WORLD This was Raleigh s longest running advertising campaign starting just after the First World War, and continuing into the 1980s. Although well known as an African advert it was used in many other countries with the rider s clothing adapted to suit. May 2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
The Mk1 Chopper was launched in September 1969 in the UK, followed by the Mk2 in 1971. The Chopper went on to be Raleigh s greatest sales success selling over a million units in the 1970s and being Raleigh s single best selling model. The mk3 was introduced in 2004 to great success in the UK and sales continue today in modern colours and variations. June 2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Fashion Bikes With Flare Fashion Fashion BIKES BIKES The RSW 16 and compact folder launched in 1965 gave a new look to cycling with its small wheels and chic looks. A series of new fun and fashionable bicycles ensued with the RSW 20, the Grifter, the Chopper and the Bomber. Today Raleigh has a successful partnership with British fashion icon Red or Dead using their input into the look of the bicycles and Raleigh s expertise in the mechanics. July 2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
1961 and 1981 both saw British pop icons at the launch of new products. The Raleigh Roma was launched with Cliff Richard and the Bomber with Toyah Wilcox. Stars of the television were seen on many Raleigh adverts including Noel Edmunds and the Monty Python gang. In 2004 Ewan Mcgregor and David James were both seen posing with their Choppers. Recently four times World Superbike Champion Carl Fogerty is seen with his SP Carbon Race. Who else can you spy in 2012? Cliff Richard Carl Fogerty August 2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
I ve got THE POWER Raleigh bicycles may have started in 1887 but they produced their first motorbike in 1899, a 4 wheel car in 1915, a three wheel car in 1934 and a moped in 1958. Today petrol is out and electricity is definitely in. A boom in powered bicycles in Europe has led to the modern Pedelec, of course Raleighs are among the best. September 2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
champions Raleigh has had it all, world champions like AA Zimmerman in the 1890 s, Reg Harris in the 1940s and 50s and Tour de France winner Joop Zoetemelk in 1980. But there are lesser known champions as well, in 1908 Harry Green cycled his way from Lands End to John O Groats taking just 2 days, 19 hours and 50 minutes. This record wasn t broken for 21 years until Jack Rossiter beat him on a Raleigh! In 1939 Tommy Godwin rode 75065 miles in 12 months and Peter Duker was first to set a round the world record, both on Raleighs. Notably Peter also broke the American coast to coast record on the way! October 2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
While we all crave lightweight Aluminium or Carbon bicycles now, at the beginning of the 20th century the all steel bicycle was the lightweight. Raleigh had The all steel bicycle whilst the competitors used iron components. Today steel is making a comeback on bicycle frames, not just in retro and fashion cycles, but also in Raleigh 29er mountain bikes. The All Steel Bicycle November 2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Children s Bicycles In the 1940s Raleigh set up the Circle of Silver knights, an international children s club which at its peak had 50,000 members. At the time children s bicycles were small versions of their adult counterparts but Raleigh soon changed everything. It wasn t just the Chopper, or Grifter, or even Burner, but also the range of toy bicycles perfect for sheer excitement on Christmas morning. Today toy bicycles have to compete with computer games, DVDs and mobile phones, so reaching out to children is even more important than ever for Raleigh. Merry Christmas! December 2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31