Thursday, 26 December 2013

Orange Brompton 2013

What a year 2013 has been for me! I remember thinking this time last year that I hoped to go on more adventures and I have certainly done that. In many ways I have exceeded the general aim.

Many of you out there reading my many blog posts have been kind enough to say via your comments or emails that you have felt you have been almost with me. This is great! I am also glad and humbled to hear that I have been partly responsible for you either buying a Brompton (I forgive you even where it has not been an Orange one) or getting out on your bicycle and going on your own adventures.

I have been on more all night rides and over much longer distances. I have become fitter and I even bought a second Brompton. My blog has gone from strength to strength and I only hope that it gets as many people reading it in the future!

My blog archive for 2013 as I write this stands at 267 posts. They represent many personal highlights but I have whittled them down to a few. If over the Christmas period you are at a loss for something to do, you might consider reading a few. I hope that you enjoy them:

January

In January I started as I meant to go on with an indoor version of the IG Nocturne. Read the entry to see if I reached the final...

The IG London Nocturne - what a day!


The quite brilliant Managing Director of Brompton, Will Butler-Adams kindly spared some time to answer some questions in my interview of sorts...

Interview with Brompton MD, Will Butler-Adams


BBC 'Top Gear's' James May who owns a Brompton, kindly agreed to be interviewed about his Brompton.

I get to interview Top Gear's James May




February

Continuing the interview theme, two Brompton World Champions Michael Hutchinson (Dr Hutch) and Rachel Elliot kindly answered a few questions.

Michael Hutchinson Interview

Rachael Elliot Interview




March

I saved up for ages to get a Titanium Orange Brompton and I wasn't disappointed...

Full review of my Titanium Orange Brompton


Mark (King of the Hill) put together a great ride where a good number of Bromptonians came out in force for a river Thames based ride. This is one of my all time favourite routes and rides.

Thames Triple Chaser




April

Many Brompton owners fit a leather Brooks saddle to their bicycles and I managed to pay a visit to the Brooks Factory to see them being made...

Brooks Saddle Factory Visit


I loved the Tweed Run!!! It is a great event where participants wear their finest outfits (tweed of course) and cycle around a scenic route in London...

The Fifth Tweed Run on a Brompton


April was the first time I attempted a night ride to the coast. This first one was a London to Brighton. I cannot tell you how nervous I was about doing this but I loved it and ended up going on several more throughout the year.

London to Brighton on a Brompton




May

The Adventurer, author, motivational speaker, Brompton owner and all round good egg Alistair Humphreys managed to find some time between all of the above to answer some questions...

Alastair Humphreys Interview

June

The 6th of June was quite a day. The IG London Nocturne (an incredibly good event) in the afternoon and the 100km Nightrider Charity ride later that night.

Nocturne and 100km Nightrider on a Brompton back to back!




July

There is only one thing to write about in July 2013 and that was the Brompton World Championships! This really is THE cycling event of any year for me. A new location proved to be excellent and the event itself was awesome - and then some!

Brompton World Championships 2013




August

This was the month I decided to alter my Titanium M-type to an S-type.

My Titanium M-type becomes an S-type


I went on another overnight ride from London to Brighton. It rained all night. The first time I didn't managed the ascent of the dreaded Ditchling Beacon. Read to see if I managed it this time...

London to Brighton - Epic and rainy!




September

A year before I cycled from London to Oxford and didn't managed to get all the way up a particularly steep hill. This time I wanted revenge...

London to Oxford - Revenge will be mine!




October

Back to Brighton, this time by train to go on a coastal ride a few hours before some of the worst storms for years!

Windy Brighton - Rottingdean Undercliff Ride




November

While lots of the UK watched the 50th Anniversary of Dr Who, I decided to go out on a night ride...

Dr Who 50th - No I'd rather be out cycling!




December

I went on the ultimate Brompton themed ride...

Bob's Brompton Bonanza!



With the 21st December being the shortest day and longest night I went on an all night ride with a very clever twist...

Solstice sights and signature sojourn





Keep coming back in 2014 for more reviews, thoughts, observations and recounts of my adventures. I already have many things planned for 2014 and if it is half as good as 2013 I will be very pleased.

All that is left for me to say is I hope that you and your family have a very happy New Year!

No comments:

Post a Comment

Thank you for leaving a comment.