A wave of nostalgia hit Nottingham as 550 excited fans of the world-famous Raleigh Chopper queued to get their hands on a new limited edition of the iconic bike. Thousands more joined an virtual queue online in a bid to to buy the cult classic from the website.
Those who had travelled from across the country to be there in person soaked up the atmosphere in the city centre shop and reminisced about THE bike of their childhood. The original MK2 was released in 1972 and more than 50 years on, the affection hasn't diminished.
Enthusiasts queued from 6.30pm last night [Monday, June 19] outside the Experience Raleigh shop even though they had booked a ticket online guaranteeing they would be able to purchase a bike. Luckily they were able to take shelter from the torrential rain underneath the building's overhang in Maid Marian Way.
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The crowd - mostly men of a certain age - put work on hold for the day so they could get their hands on a £950 Chopper, the bike known for its one-piece saddle, mid-frame gear shifter, and sissy bar. The remake comes in the original 1970s colours of Ultraviolet and Infrared. Shoppers were allowed to buy one of each colour.
One of the first to lay hands on the much-loved bike was Mike O'Reilly, who interrupted a family holiday in Lincolnshire to be in Nottingham for the eagerly anticipated launch. Leaving his wife, two children and his mum at their rented cottage, he headed to Nottingham with his dad at 7am.
Mike, who lives in Middlesbrough and works as a road safety officer for the local council, said: "We had a VIP pass to get in a bit earlier. What brings me here today is the love of the bike and the joy it brings. I was about five or six when I had one. My grandad got one from the pub or tip or something.
"I used to ride around at my nanna's at the weekend. I loved it then and I got into the scene when I realised there was such a following for these things. It's so iconic. It brings people together, look how many people are here today."
Asked what makes it so special, the 45-year-old said: "It's how unusual it is - there's nothing else like it. Many have tried to copy it but you always call it a Chopper, whenever you see a bike that looks like it. I think people have some fond memories of them. We all want to take a step back into our childhood and the past and I think this helps people do that. This place will be pumping for hours. Everyone's just talking about it all day long."
Reminiscing about the second hand Chopper he rode as a child, Mike said: "My grandad used to buy and sell bikes all the time, so it would have been sold on. I remember it was a red MK2 and had the wrong tyre on the front as it had had a puncture and grandad just put a tyre on it that he had and I rode around on it for a few years and then I probably outgrew it, as you did then.
"I've had a red one at my grandparents and that's what I've gone for today. I would have loved to have two but I think my bags would be packed when I get home. I've got a couple of other Choppers at home, I used to have a big collection but family came along. I'm slowly building it back up again. Most of my Choppers get ridden - I tootle around on a sunny day in a field. I have children who will enjoy them too. They're only four and one-and-a- half but already they're really into their bikes."
Tommy Horner, from Castleford, in Yorkshire, never had a Chopper as a child but will be making up for lost time with a spanking brand new bike. "They're very retro, like the Grifter and BMX. I will keep it in the box for now and will be riding it. It's brilliant - a really good turnout," said Tommy, who runs a Facebook group for enthusiasts of the BMX, Chopper and Grifter, that boasts nearly 6,000 members.
Plumber Eamonn Fenton, from Mansfield, recalled Christmas Day 1974 when all his wishes came true. The 56-year old said: "Christmas morning, when I went downstairs it was there all wrapped up. I loved that bike, it was the best thing I ever had.
"I've been waiting for one of these to come out for many years. When I knew the new one was coming out I cancelled all my jobs to come into Nottingham to queue up and get this. I'll have a little ride of it but it won't be worn out."
Raleigh's managing director Lee Kidger said: "It's great for Nottingham. We had people here from 6.30pm last night and when we turned up at 6.15am this morning there was already a queue of about 15 people."
The queue was a lot longer by the time the shop began allowing the public in at intervals from 10am. Mr Kidger said: "People have travelled from north Devon, they've travelled from the east of England, they've travelled from the north. It's bringing the community together for Raleigh. We fully expect to sell out today.
"It always surprises us because of the amount of people who come here but what it really highlights is the community that the Raleigh brand has and the love for the product. This is the most iconic bike ever produced and we have been able to recreate it the best we can. It surprises us that this many people would travel to get here to get one of our bikes which is really heart-warming."
The bike sold out online within two hours but a second wave will go on sale towards the end of July, on a date to be confirmed.
