Sunday, 31 October 2010

Whitby at Halloween


Whitby is a fantastic place!  I travelled up there with the family and despite my fear of going up north I loved every minute of it.

The people in Whitby were lovely and it was great to see all the Goths dressed in their finery, although I am certain that some must have been too old for when it was in its peak in the 80's and msut be recent converts?

My Brompton didn't see the sights of Whitby, mainly due to the incredibly steep slopes all around.  The first picture show the 199 steps leading up to the Abbey in the third picture.  Dracula was shipwrecked at Whitby and in the book of the same name, the locals saw a large black dog fly up these steps, only to disappear in the Abbey grounds.

While there I also bought a couple of pieces of Whitby jet jewellery and generally I would love to go there again next year.

Now I am back in the smoke as it were it is back to the daily commute on my Brompton.  It is small comforts like this that keep one going.

Sunday, 24 October 2010

Out in London on my new Brompton



Up reasonably early and off to London.  Parked the car at Maida Vale and Bromptoned up the Edware Road, Oxford Street, Regent Street and past St Paul's.  I had quite a smile on my face all the way.  Stopped off at this famous building and took a few shots.  Doesn't it look spectacular!  (The building isn't too bad either).

Yet again the gearing on this 6x speed Brompton is fantastic!  Acceleration is brisk and then up through the gears and you are really going some (if you wanted to).


While I was shooting away on my iPhone there were lots of other people taking photographs of the building and attention soon turned to my Orange Brompton. If you look closely you'll see the Brompton battery lights both on.  I will do a review of them at some point.

Saturday, 23 October 2010

It's here!! My new Brompton!!!!





Well it is finally here.  My new Brompton ML6.  Matt orange frame and matt black extremities. Marathon tyres, firm suspension and an extended seat pillar. The colour of the bike in photos seems to give it a shine but the paint has a lovely matt finish in the flesh.

I am thrilled with it so far.  I got it on Monday and raced to the cycle shop I bought it from.  It was there ready and waiting having been inspected and given a clean bill of health.

So far I have to say that it has exceeded my expectations and gives a great ride. The range of gears has to be tried to be believed.  My old Dahon had 7 gears but my Brompton really does put it to shame.  Absolutely love it!  Tomorrow I hope to take it out into our fair capital and give it a good outing.

Sunday, 17 October 2010

Bletchley Park




I found myself today at Bletchley Park, home of the WWII code breakers.  I must say that the journey from London to Bletchley Park station and then a short cycle on my Dahon wasn't too bad.

Yes it is still the Dahon as my Orange Brompton hasn't arrived yet.  Three/four weeks seems to be almost a practical pleasantry on the part of the bike shop I ordered it from.  At this rate I'll be lucky to get it by Christmas.

Bletchley Park proved to be rather interesting and seeing a real Enigma machine was quite strange, having only seen them in films or in books.

The security guard even let me lock up my Dahon in the spot where Alan Turing used to do the same with his bike.

By the way all my pictures are usually taken with an iPhone 4.  If I take out my Canon G11 and take some shots with that I will always acknowledge it.

Thursday, 7 October 2010

St Paul's



The view from St Paul's Cathedral.  Quite impressive.  I could see for quite a distance but the rain made things hazy.

The view from the whispering gallery.  This was a covert photograph as cameras are not allowed.

Still no news on my Brompton yet!  I was hoping that I might get a call this week, which I know is optimistic but I live in hope.

Monday, 4 October 2010

Where have all the Brompton's gone

Another strike. Oh well get the folding bike out. Found myself near St Paul's Cathedral today. Actually went in, had a look around and climbed the dome. (Will post a picture or two tomorrow ).

Normally with a tube strike there are Brompton's to the left of me. Brompton's to the right of me. Today, nothing. Not a sausage? Plenty of bikes of all races and creeds but no Brompton's. Perhaps they had been to the World Championships yesterday and were all tired?

Sunday, 3 October 2010

Kensal Green Cemetery



Forgot to post this so it is retrospective.  On Thursday I paid a visit to Fudges Cycles on the Harrow Road on my Dahon.  Took a short cut through Kensal Green cemetery.  Lots of Brompton's in stock and it brought home yet again how much I am looking forward to getting mine.  (About twoish weeks, I hope)!

While walking the bike around I stumbled upon the burial location for Brunel. There are lots of very famous people from the Victorian era buried there.  I was telling someone about where I'd been and they told me that the great Mary Seacole herself was also buried there.  Totally gutted that I didn't realise this as I would loved to have seen it.  Will definitely return at some point.

Today I also placed an order for the Brompton battery lights.  Have seen these on a few Brompton's and the rear light in particular looks really great.  Got them online from 'Brilliant Bikes.'   They really are a great company for all sorts of bike bits and deliver really quickly.