Norman and His Reilly Gradient T47: A Love for Titanium and Gravel Riding
The graffiti on the side of Reilly Cycleworks’ workshop says NORM. Surely, it’s a sign…
From Road Racing to Gravel Adventures
Inspired by Robert Millar’s epic win at the Tour de France, Norman started pedalling back in 1984. First as a road racer, then exploring his own trails through the Scottish landscape on his old Specialized mountain bike. He’s been a bicycle courier, studied in Birmingham—“I felt like I was the only guy in the whole county riding a bike”—and now rides his soon-to-be-christened Reilly Gradient T47 with a Shimano GRX 1x groupset.
“I love the look of the Reilly,” says Norman. “I especially love the craftsmanship that goes into a titanium bike. I have a carbon Colnago and it’s a great bike, but it’s made from a carbon mould. Knowing that someone has handcrafted a titanium frame is great.”
He continues, “There’s a guy in Scotland called Big Al—his company, Wheelcraft, makes wheels and everyone knows him. He’s a true craftsman, and his shop is jam-packed with gear. People go there just to hang out and chat about cycling for hours. I love that.”
Life on the Gravel
“I’m 95% gravel riding these days,” Norman says. “Gravel is so much more sociable; everyone can ride together, whatever their strengths and weaknesses. I’m not great at descents, but I can still ride with those who go downhill like maniacs.”
Norman rides with Squadra Porcini, who head out weekly into the forests and trails around Aberfoyle—one of the UK’s leading destinations for gravel riding (#GravelFoyle). “There are some really fast riders in the group, but one guy hasn’t even got a gravel bike and still rides his mountain bike—and that’s OK too.”
A Competitive Spirit That Never Fades
His inaugural ride on his new Gradient will be the 130 km Dalwhinnie–Corrour Loop this Sunday. “Although it will be a social ride, the hills will be well fought over.”
When asked if he’s still competitive after all these years, Norman replies almost immediately, “Very.” It’s clear that Norman is far from the norm…