The Pint and Puncture – Rich’s DIY Bicycle bar

Old bikes and old booze, and bit of lockdown DIY using odds and sods found in the mancave. Plus, some fantastic signwriting by my Dad. Here’s my DIY bicycle bar.

Yes, it’s pictured in the garden as the prospect of a glass of warming red was more appealing than a long winter ride. This thing uses a lot of cable ties, self tappers and wood that had been under my feet for too long.

Dad’s signwriting is great. He shakes his head and laughs and then brings my doodles to life. The bike was made in ‘72, as was I, and so was my Fiat, tandem and lawnmower, as it happens, hence the “established in 1972” bit.

The bike is a beauty. Bought from a village green auction years ago it soldiers on with minimal maintenance. I love it.

There’s a magnetic latch, and the single hinge is 45% Chinese ‘metal’, 12% rust, and the rest is superglue and luck. It works. The wooden case fits snugly without catching the pedals or my knobbly knees. It’s not cut square because, well, I’m more ‘rustic bodger’ than precision Engineer at weekends.

Cheers!