The Forager Bike
“…a brilliantly skilful and imaginative piece of engineering”
This utilitarian hand-made bike was a collaboration between Darron Coppin of Sven Cycles, the campaigner, broadcaster and food writer Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, and his Executive Group Chef, Gill Miller.
Inspired by their shared love of foraging and the environment, and influenced by the classic British Series 1 Land Rover, they pooled their individual expertise to create a unique bike that is designed and equipped for collecting and cooking a variety of wild food.
The Specification
With the 150th Anniversary of Brooks in 2016, a classic sprung leather saddle was the only choice. Still made by hand in England offering comfort and durability, it’s unmatched by any other saddle of its type.
The front wheel is a revolutionary design by Loop Wheels, Made in England. It helps to give the bike a smoother ride on rough ground and is easy to handle anywhere. Tubing was provided by Reynolds Tubing. Internal hub gears make for low maintenance, and running disk brakes ensure reliable braking in all conditions.
A dynamo hub powers a USB charger and lights, ensuring self-sufficiency in generating its own power supply, day or night. Bespoke bags have been designed and made by Restrap in the UK. They try to make use of every part of the bike and get a good distribution of weight, making the bike a pleasure to ride.
What’s the verdict from River Cottage?
The Forager has become a key character at River Cottage and is a real talking point amongst staff and visitors alike. Its genius lies in it being a comprehensive foraging facility and a fully functional utility bike.
“I’m incredibly pleased with The Forager,” says Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. “It’s a brilliantly skilful and imaginative piece of engineering. And, even more importantly, it’s a joy to ride!”
