This actually is so spot-on, it was according to physician's advice which the Raleigh Bikes Corporation is established.

Frank Bowden was enlightened by his doctor to cycle for wellness of his fitness; the doctor had allowed him half a year to live, after a gravely disease infected overseas. Opportune instruction like cycling was developing into the "in thing." 1987: Bowden bought a bicycle from a shop that made three bikes each week. He got so impressed to the point that he made it to Raleigh Street, Nottingham, address of the company and later made an offer to buy it.

Riding bicycles as the current fad, manufacture of course grew and bigger grounds were wanted and these were discovered in another - Russell - Street. Nonetheless, Bowden, named his company, Raleigh Cycles, in respect of the first place.

By 1896, Raleigh turned out to be the biggest bike maker all over the world and after the expansion acquired 7.5 acres at Faraday Road.

Motor cyclists were not overlooked and in 1903, Raleigh made the Raleighette, a belt-driven, three wheeler. Its driver sat on the back and the passenger, on a seat in the middle of the two front tires. Monetary losses brought about the Raleighette's termination in 1908;

1915: the baronet was made and became Sir Frank Bowden.

The very word, Raleigh is common with bicycles worldwide and in the mid 20th century, it was fundamentally the top in its field.

In the late thirties and forties, Raleigh was manufacturing around twelve thousand bicycles per week - 600,000 annually. The distinctive Heron Head as well as "Made in Nottingham" was a familiar view and indicated to everybody this is a Raleigh bike.

A print advertisement of the period commended the benefits of the Raleigh as: "easy running ands proving its worth on the highways and byways of every continent" - yes, including in the war ravaged Europe.

In the 60s and following years, the easier availability of affordable motor cars saw the regression of the old loyal bike, although Raleigh continue producing the bikes and had branches abroad. Ireland and Canada.

Today, anyone riding a Raleigh must have had a wonderful machine with a standing out and honored name.