Section archives:

Guvnor

About the bicycle

In Fine English Company

Nov 09 Guvnor
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The Guvnor captures in spirit something difficult to describe, a little of the folly that took the English so far in history. Probably too far, hindsight suggests. So it represents the best of British, as long as that includes glory tempered by madness, over-engineered precision, blood, sweat and technique. Eccentric logic, sublime sensibility. The Fine […]

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One Plus Four

Nov 09 Guvnor
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Behold one of only 50 Guvnor Plus Fours ever made. You cannot buy this bicycle anymore, you can only look at it. Chances are you’ll never see one in the wild. Chances are you’ll never ride a bicycle with four gears and no obvious means of changing them. Chances are you’ll never be so torn […]

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How to Light in Style

Nov 09 Guvnor
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Most modern cycle lights do not suit the Guvnor. The plastic mouldings, brutish fittings and sci-fi styling are at odds with the Art Nouveau flourish, Edwardian structural order and Art Deco detailing of this bicycle. Many retro-designed lights are overly so: that is to say they speak for themselves too loudly. I’ve been searching for the […]

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Whether to Ride or Admire

Oct 09 Guvnor
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The Pashley Guvnor is a special bicycle. The hand built touches, crafted lines and choice components elevate it far beyond the workhorse runabout. The price reflects this, but the Guvnor purchaser is torn between opposing desires. The bike wants to be admired, yet it demands to be ridden. Should it be saved for special occasions, […]

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Owner Sightings, a Rare Reward

Sep 09 Cycling
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I’ve ridden the Guvnor for over 3500 miles through busy central London streets, without ever seeing a single other example of this marvellous bicycle. I have glanced, looked, scoured and stared, to no avail. Every cream tyre or promising handlebar in the distance turns out to be fruitless. I’ve even seen a Phantom Roadster, only […]

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The Pashley Guvnor: First Year Report

Aug 09 Guvnor
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Some thoughts on the Guvnor itself are long overdue. It being so elegant a conveyance from which to view surroundings (and reach destinations), it is as easily taken for granted by the rider as admired by the passerby. After more than a year’s ownership here follows some reporting. Above all else, it is a pleasure […]

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Whether Single or 3 Speed

Jul 09 Cycling

This owner happily chose the single speed version, not for decreased weight, cleaner aesthetics, lower maintenance or reduced cost. But for two more important reasons: 1. Gears are simply unnecessary in a flattish city like London. Why fight traffic and topography, when you can avoid the former and let the latter be your regulator? Highgate, […]

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The Apostrophe, Unwanted

Jun 09 Guvnor
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A note on the official apostrophe, as in Guv’nor. It has the whiff of technical correctness so beloved of the earnest, and is formally refuted by this club. Neither necessary or helpful, it serves only to make readers wince, purchasers doubt and grocers bellow. Sadly we cannot support it. However, maybe you feel differently. Tell […]

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Inauguration

Jun 09 Cycling

Consider the Guvnor Owners’ Club formally inaugurated.

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