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MTTUK – Day 59 – Last Day

Today marked the end of my 59 day  ‘Mini Takes the UK 2010′  trip which took me all over the United Kingdom in my lil Red Classic Mini visiting England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. 

I covered several thousands of miles in Red, attending most of the Mini events going on during the period and met a lot of great people.  

I also took in the sites visiting countless historic sites using my Heritage Pass that I picked up prior to my trip.  It paid for itself in the first week and to top it all off got to enjoy some rather exceptional weather through out most of the trip  which made driving Red even more enjoyable.

 I left Red at Classic Mini’s to have the John Cooper Engine Tuning Kit upgrade and the Webasto Fabric Roof fitted.   Can’t wait to return!

Wonder what next year has in stored?

MTTUK – Day 58 – Classic Mini’s Door Bling

headed south to Littlehampton with a visit to Classic Mini’s to get some door ‘bling’ for Red. The weather today was yet again exceptional so I spent it pool side.

Mike Raven @ Classic Mini’s created a special set of door hardware for the John Cooper 50th Edition he’s working on.  Could not help myself but get a set for Red.  

New JCW 50 Set, Original Cooper Sport Set and the JCW 50 Set mounted.  It really is extremely well made and solid and feels great!.    A must for any Mini.

Then headed for another nice drive via the twisty and fun back roads.

MTTUK – Day 57 – Richmond

headed into Richmond to have a nice lunch with colleagues from work. Traversing greater London definitely takes a bit longer but did see a lovely 8 in my rear view.  Might have to take mine out this weekend.

MTTUK – Day 56 – Ascot

No Mini events today so I noticed that there was some racing at Ascot so I headed to the wonderful Ascot Racecourse to watch the horsies race.  Ascot is a gorgeous track/facility and perhaps the nicest I’ve ever been to.  

“Hey G, I told you I was going to win”

Betting in the UK is quite different then in the states where there is only one betting authority on the track.  Here there is the government’s authority and then countless other bookmakers on hand to take bets.   Their racing forms are a bit different as well but out of four races I cashed tickets on two of them and was really close on the other two.

 All the Day’s Pictures

MTTUK – Day 55 – Castle Combe

Headed to Castle Combe for MiniWorlds Action Day event.   Thought there was going to be a concourse along with the racing but there wasn’t so spent the day watching the folks race their Mini’s and visiting the trader stands

It  turned out to be a rather expensive day as I spent a bit too much time at KADs tent. After picking up their front 4-pot big brakes for Red that I bought from Minispeed earlier in the week.

I wound up leaving with their rear caliper conversion kit and light alloy rear radius arms which will save quite a number of kilo’s over the current drum brakes about 1/3 the weight.  It wasn’t cheap but the dollar made some ground on the pound yesterday and they gave me a good deal which ultimately worked out to a substantial savings from getting it stateside.  They only had gold at the show but will be shipping me out a set of red to match the fronts.  Red should be quite transformed when everything is fitted.  It uses little motorcycle pads but they are supposed to provide the same braking power as the current rear drum brakes.  They aren’t supposed to increase the rear braking but decrease the unsprung weight and look good.  Lets hope so because the pads are really little.

The bears had fun with the recent addition of 40 bear and albeit late/early they bought me a birthday card with Red on it.

 All the Day’s Pictures

MTTUK – Day 54 – Swindon

Headed west to Swindon and took the very scenic route of B roads via Avebury.

Red spent the night with a German.

Stopped in at Lotus and then Ferrari to check out their new stubby nose and then spent the rest of the day detailing Red in preperation for tomorrows show.

All the Day’s Pictures

MTTUK – Day 53 – Windsor

Stopped in at Mini Speed to pre-order a set of KAD big brakes for Red in Red that I’ll pick up this weekend at Castle Comb.  Then off to Windsor Castle, Legoland and Ascot Racecourse

Along the way these tourists decided to walk in the street holding up traffic.  They must have been lost and in need of a GPS.

 All the Day’s Pictures

Cooper Bikes

Mike Cooper and family are now making ‘Cooper Bikes’.  Here is a press release about the upcoming bikes they are releasing all badged with the oh so special ‘Cooper’ emblem.   Now if they would just fold down and fit in the boot of my classic!

Cooper Takes on Two Wheels 

The Cooper Car Company launches Cooper Bikes with a new urban bicycle range to mark the 50-years since the groundbreaking F1 Cooper win 

 London, Wednesday 23rd September 2009: Cooper Bikes, the bicycle division of Cooper Car Company, launch their new range of bikes at the Earls Court Cycle Show on the 8^th October 2009. 

Utilising the engineering and technical know how that has been synonymous with the British Company for 50 years, and with a nod to their racing heritage, the first models code name T100 will be called “Monza” and “Sebring”, after the circuits which saw the Company’s F1 Championship victory in 1959. 

Both bikes exhibit the modern aggressive styling of a track bike, and combine confident, sharp handling with comfort and smoothness.  The T100 Monza is supplied in dark blue with flat bars and the T100 Sebring is finished in silver, and has bullhorn bars.  The bikes retail from £595 and are available from January 2010.

Mike Cooper commented: “The Cooper Car Company has always had a passion for bicycles and we have been thinking about diversifying the business for a while.  We wanted to turn our engineering know how to making bicycles that offer the best possible components for the best possible price”

In addition to the T100 Monza and T100 Sebring, the Cooper range will include the T200 Championship 50 and the T200 Reims 5 Speed.   Inspired by the lightweight racing bikes of the 1960’s, the T200 series combines classic styling with modern components and technology. 

The T200 Championship 50 is a special edition single speed, finished in classic Cooper racing green to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the Cooper Car Company Formula 1 World Championship victory in 1959.  The stunning T200 Reims, finished in cream, combines style with the practicality of 5 gears.  The T200 bikes, which will be available in March 2010 will also make an appearance at the Cycle Show.  

All single speed bicycles will feature a flip flop hub, which accepts both fixed cogs and freewheel.  In addition, all of the bikes will feature Brooks Saddles, Sturmey Archer Cranks, Reynolds Tubing and Tektro Brakes.

These iconic British branded hand-built road bikes will be available from www.cooperbikes.com and from selected dealers worldwide.

MTTUK – Day 52 – Brighton

Headed to Brighton for the day and since the weather was quite lovely I spent most of the time relaxing at the Beach Cafe enjoying my Fish n chips lunch and getting some rays.

 All the Day’s Pictures

MTTUK – Day 50 – Classic Minis

Headed over to Classic Mini’s today to get Red an early 6k miles service.   While Red was getting serviced I gave Mike a hand bringing back some cars from their large display at Goodwood. 

I got to drive my first 60’s Mini and boy was it a blast and yes four adults can fit into a classic with out a problem.

 All the Day’s Pictures