BACK in the 1970s, thousands of lads coveted a Nottingham-made Raleigh Chopper.
It was their dream bicycle – and for some people, it still is.
Fan Chris Wimbledon has restored one to such a standard that it won a national award.
Chris won Britain's best Mk1 1972 Chopper at the Raleigh Chopper awards in Billing, Northamptonshire.
It was the second year running he had scooped the award.
The 19-year-old, who aims to be an Olympic BMX rider, restores old Raleigh cycles as a hobby – from rust heaps to their gleaming retro best.
He said: "The Choppers were tough because they were older and more specialised. They were four decades old and bought incomplete.
"Many folk would have left them for scrap but I knew I could repair and turn them into bright new things. It gives me a real buzz."
And the West Bridgford teenager, who works in a city centre cycle shop, is working at his BMX riding.
He said: "I have won many awards for racing BMXs. I keep training and competing so the Olympics are seriously in my sights."
Chris's dad Michael, who is a semi-retired civil servant, said: "There's a meeting every year and an awful lot of people who are into the Chopper gather and have an open day and run tours, rides and competitions.
"He renovated it to 'brand-new', if not better. He won the Gold Cup. It's the best Chopper in Britain.
"He's really up for going to the Olympics; he's always first out of the gates at races and he's noticed as being someone with potential."
Getting into bikes changed Chris's life. He broke his arm when starting Comprehensive school and did not attend.
Michael said: "There were issues with his medication and he lost his confidence but now he's got his job, he's winning races and he's recognised as someone with talent."
