.mike croker was the incredibly lucky winner a few issues back of a roadrat frame and forms, donated by cy at cotic. we asked if he could keep in touch with how the build was going, but mike has gone better, and let us know how he has got on with his roadrat (christened roland) in the early days.

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As someone who has mainly been riding recumbent bikes and trikes for the last 3 years, you can imagine my surprise when I received a cryptic mail from Anth “So tell me... Have you seen the latest issue of citycycling yet?”

Once I got over the shock, I had a few thoughts along the lines of 're-draw', as I sold my old diamond framed tourer last year (an extensively modified 70's Carlton) and only entered the competition for fun, but maybe someone somewhere was trying to tell me something? So let's do it!

Having acquainted myself more fully with the RoadRat's specification, and taken dimensions off my remaining 2 upright bikes (full sus MTB and Dahon folder), I started a dialogue with Cy, my benefactor at Cotic, to sort out what frame size would best suit me. I suppose that all you fixed wheel riders out there had best go and cry in your lattés now, as despite the initial appeal, and visual delight, of a fixie with profile bars, at my age I need gears for the hills around where I live (South Downs) and my lower back, plus a desire to economise, led me to flat bars, but with a modest reach.

So a black medium short frame and forks were on their way. (And, no disrespect to Cotic, but am I glad that I didn't wait for a new Builder's Tea coloured frame – neat way of stopping bike theft, though!)

Further idealism would have led me to 700c disc compatible wheels with a black rims, spokes and an 8-speed Alfine rear hub: reality said 8-speed dérailleur with whatever I could find in the garage or buy second hand! Fortunately my mate Tony had a pair of black rimmed disc wheels (off his son's upgraded MTB) hanging in his garage, together with a pair of old Shimano disc brakes and black Avid 3 levers, which he was willing to exchange for some readies and a bit of banter.

The day, or rather, the box arrived soon, and what did I find with the frame and forks? (Before I get sued by Cotic, I'd better fez up to having added the rat myself: how sad etc.... Guess that's got rid of half of the regular readers by now? It gets worse!)