Galway man’s passion breathes new life into old Raleigh bicycles

Tom Burke’s work shed is nestled in his back garden, squeezed in among the home grown veg and a brightly painted horse cart; this is where Tom devotes himself to the restoration of vintage Raleigh bikes.

Tom’s connection with the brand started ten years ago when he restored a bike for a friend – and an eagle-eyed neighbour spotted the marvellous transformation and promptly requested a similar restoration job.

By Elizabeth Garner and Jim Hynes

This was a lightbulb moment for Tom and his hobby was set in motion. Slowly the word spread and now Raleigh’s come in from all over Ireland to get a new lease of life.

Currently he is about to deliver a bike to Newcastle West as a present from a husband to his wife. “The husband reckons petrol is getting too expensive…so he thinks the wife will be better off with a bike!” he laughs.

Raleigh is a brand with an impressive pedigree. Started in 1892 by an Irish man, the bikes were made in Nottingham, England. Some were manufactured in Dublin, but sadly the factory burnt down in 1971.

Tom Burke, holding an upcycled bike in his back garden, joined by his friends and new clients Elizabeth and Dick Ridge, owners of the Podumna glamping site.

Bikes come in male and female versions; the former has a bar, and the latter has a step-through. However, Tom notices that the step-through option suits both genders of his older clientele, some of whom struggle to swing their leg over the bar version.

Once restored, the bicycles head out to fulfil an array of uses.

Some are cycled – but many more are simply treasured aesthetic pieces. One ongoing trend is for brightly painted bicycles to adorn gardens. Tom has obliged in every rainbow hue including pink, purple and yellow.

Luckily his careful paint work ensures that the bikes can withstand Irish weather. However, some bikes won’t be subject to the occasional downpour. Tom points to a current project.

“When it’s restored, this one will be a souvenir to grace a man-cave near Ennis, Co. Clare,” he explains.

Tom has had ample time to contemplate the particular attraction of the High Nelly and he explains that the continued interest in the bike is two-fold.

This is a shortened preview version of this article. To read the rest of the story, see this week’s Connacht Tribune (March 25 edition). You can buy a digital edition HERE.