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Whether it's five miles or five hundred miles, riding a bicycle is more fun than anyone ever told me! My New Year's Resolution to cycle 10 miles a day or 40 minutes on a spin bike has meant that by the end of May I have cycled 2,600 miles! Because of my cycling wardrobe the weather has not stopped me from cycling (unless it really is -5 degrees or with wind gusts of 25 mph). Cycling in style and in comfort is really important to me as I don't really want to be covered in logos looking like a Ninja as I buy groceries or attend meetings. I have found some things that work for me but am always looking for new pieces. For me, Evans Cycles and Cycle Surgery for the basics. My two favourite brands for my wardrobe are www.velorution.com and www.velovixen.com but I am always looking for new pieces. I would love to know what works for you and why. Happy cycling!

Sunday 15 December 2013

All Things Bright and Christmassy with Brompton



A seriously strong cyclist friend - A Man Called Bob - kindly put together a Christmas Collaboration on Two Brompton Wheels.  A ride that enlightened us all as it uncovered the whole South West London Story of Brompton from its very beginning all the way up the (Brompton) Junction.

Bob knows a thing or two about Bromptons.  He is the only person I know who has ridden his up an Alp.  He treats cycling to Paris on a Brompton like a walk in a park, so the perfect person to host this ride.  The dress code was straight forward:  Bromptons are Required!

Looking out  of the window in the morning, the sky seemed to reflect the weather prediction. Clear and bright but, from what pedestrians scurrying along the pavement were wearing, it was cold and crisp.  The scarily accurate forecast of six degrees was a call for cashmere.

Meanwhile Google Maps had provided a lovely route along the river to the start - eight miles or so - which I was trying to memorize.  One thing led to another (sometimes known as faffing) and I was still at home 45 minutes before the ride start time.  Oooops!  I shot out of the door!

Suddenly the temperature outside did not seem nearly as cold.  Pedalling like there was no tomorrow, weaving my way alongside long lines of cars that looked parked - they weren't parked they were at red lights.  Up to the front of the queue, off at the green light I flew along - undoing my top layer. 18mph on the flat! Ha! 

My feet clipped into to my Speedplay zero pedals, whizzing along without a care in the world (apart from the worry of being late of course) Spinning along the Lower RIchmond Road across Barnes Common, into Barnes itself and straight out the other side.  Riding a bike! It just makes you feel so alive.   I kept looking at the queuing cars and their very bored drivers wondering why they weren't riding bicycles.  Oh what they are missing! 

Arriving at Kew I found myself surrounded by fellow Bromptonites - a true cacophony of this unique folding bicycle and their welcoming owners. Some I had never met before, some only a couple of times and some I have known for a couple of years.    


Much chatting and laughter and Brompton Admiring  and Comparing (a standard Bromptonite Occupation) took place.  It caused a bit of eye-catching from local residents who were busy buying their Christmas trees and groceries - one of whom kindly took our group photo.


 On the stroke of 12.07 we headed around the corner for the first of the Brompton Tour Talks.  According to our illustrious  Bob,  Brompton started with the design eye of a certain Mr Ritchie.  It seems that this Mr Ritchie had decided that although the Bickerton folding bicycle did fold, the actual design was not appealing to him and he encouraged his son to do something different.   

Becoming a genius from ingenuity Mr Ritchie Junior designed the perfect folding bike.  The genius isn't just in the design, it's the way that the company runs as a very approachable, somewhat typically British inventor-eccentric and passionate yet humble way and its belief in its product.  These qualities definitely appear in their customers clearly ensuring that its less of a cycling cult and more of a cycling culture. Haute Couture on wheels perhaps?! But one of which I am very happy and indeed lucky to be a part - especially with this group of very kind and fine peeps.



As we headed through Kew, westwards into Brentford we found ourselves looking at railway arches. AKA Bob explained that these were where Mr Ritchie set up his workshop in 1974.   By 1976 his company increased to a total workforce of three and they were producing 10 Bromptons a month, retailing at around £200.

 
I was hanging out at the back with the Tail End Charlie, Charlie.   We were cycling on a diabolical cycle path alongside the A4 - uneven, full of litter, glass, discarded hub caps and the noise of the traffic was absolutely frightful.  Whoever designed paths like this certainly doesn't ride a bicycle.  Charlie and I could hardly hear each other as lorries roared. There was a very surreal moment when I looked up and could see traffic on the M4s Boston Manor Viaduct high up in the distance.  


Soon we were at the Brompton Distribution Centre.  A chap from Brompton came to say hello and showed us the world' smallest Brompton.  We all gathered round in awe, taking pics and absorbing more facts from Bob (AKAGoogle).

Next stop was Chiswick. We were all at a set of red lights at a junction with the A4.  "I hope we are not turning right, or left!" I said.   The traffic London-bound was running fast and free, the engines accelerating as they hoped the lights would stay green.  I cannot describe the overwhelming smell of car fumes at that point.  Exhaust fumes and petrol fumes, yet not a great deal of traffic. What must that be like in rush hour?

 
Luckily straight over and we headed east to Kew, then along the Thames path. It may be December, but rowing is obviously popular even at this time of year.  A Christmas Regatta was taking place, lots of spectators on both river banks, wrapped up in welly boots, wooly hats and scarves.  In the middle of it all was Father Christmas.  No reindeer that I could see, just him, in a boat! 



Down the Kings Road and up through the Brompton Cemetery for some more Brompton Education which included the reason why there is a Brompton Road and an Old Brompton Road (if I had been paying more attention I would tell you...!). 



Then to Knightsbridge, past a disused Tube Station that I have never, ever noticed before.



Then  we were in Hyde Park - a place I know. Well.  Although I was in the middle of the group I could see that Bob hadn't quite timed the traffic lights so had to stop.  I ride this route so often that even my Brommie knows the routine so I adjusted my pedal pace to full advantage.  I had such momentum that I whizzed past Bob at 17mph! Hahahaha!  Inevitably just as my lungs were wondering when this was going to end, Mark arrived on my right hand side for a chat - and a couple of seconds later Bob flew by at about 28mph saying "Hurry up you two"! Hilarious!!


 Along to Buckingham Palace, into Trafalgar Square and onto Covent Garden where we took over Brompton Junction.   We were made so welcome, all our bicycles were stored safely and neatly downstairs and a couple of us blinged our Brommies with matching Bar ends.


The whole ride had been at conversational pace and attitude - really relaxed, friendly and great fun.   My Brompton banter had included so many topics I can't remember them all, but some definitely included football, fashion, cycling in London and cake!   

A great day out in mighty fine company.  Thank you peeps, truly. 




NB.  Not all the facts about the Brompton Bicycle history may be correct as I was not necessarily paying attention!

The rest of the Pics are here  here