Stretcher railings from WWII

 In London (like many other cities I am sure) there are many locations or objects of great historical significance, pretty much hiding in plain sight. Once such example are the stretcher railings from WWII.

Outside several of London's housing estates, now acting as a fence, are several of these former WWII stretchers. 

In the 1930's, the government at the time made preparations for a possible war. The ARP (Air Raid Precautions) department commissioned 600,000 steels stretchers to be made. They were made to the same specifications of two steels poles, with a strong wire mesh intersection. This would allow for easy cleaning.

After the war, the decision was made to put them to good use and they became railings/fences outside blocks of flats. 

The distinctive curve allowed them to be placed on the ground very easily and it is quite amazing that they hide quite a past. 

Several are to be found in the many housing estates of South London but there are many other locations they can be found. I remember one being used as a table for a street seller's items for sale on Portobello Road on a Saturday morning. So, they might crop up anywhere. 

Until next time, stay safe out there people!

I have replied to the emails

Dear Readers. Many of you have taken the time to send me an email and I am rather ashamed to say I have only just logged in to read them. 

I am very grateful and welcome contact with my readers and I will try and do this more often. There was a long list but I think I have replied to everyone. 

Until next time, stay safe out there people.

That sad moment when you have a clearout

As I type this in my study, I see four Brompton Bikes - two sitting in those Ikea square and two on top of a cupboard. In our garage there are two road bikes. I am going to need to have a clearout. 

I do think that it is rather sad doing this on several levels. There are the memories of actually buying the bikes. Going out on them first time. Using them for the first time for a night ride to the coast. The memories are endless I suppose but that is the important bit. I still have the memories regardless of whether I still have the bike. I wonder if you are also guilty of that feeling you occasionally get when you attached the memory to the object and think, I cannot possibly sell it. So, I have all these bikes and they they are going to need new homes.

The following are going:

• Brompton Cloud Blue
• Brompton Orange and Black Special Edition
• Condor Fratello road bike
• Surly Disc Trucker

The keepers:

• Brompton Electric 12x speed
• Brompton Orange Superlight

In case you are wondering, I am not selling them to fund a new bike. I am fortunate enough not to need to do that. It is all about not using them. You can after all only ride one bicycle at a time.

So, if you are in the market for a Brompton or road bike from one very careful owner find me on Instagram and follow me while you are at it if you not already done so ;)

Click for my Instagram page

Until next time, stay safe out there people!

G-Line pulling in the crowds

It would be true to say that the announcement of the new Brompton G-Line has caused quite a stir - perhaps more so that the T-Line. Today at Brompton Junction there was a mini launch event for those in the know to have a look, hear about it from one of the designers, someone who has tested it out and to even have a test ride on one. I couldn't resist. 

I eventually arrived outside Brompton Junction after a perhaps unwise walk down from N6. Yes you read correctly and yes I didn't bring one of my Brompton bikes! It was lovely to see and greet lots of the old crowd, many of which had timed a ride they were on to arrive at Brompton Junction for the event. 

Once inside there was the usual friendly greeting from the lovely peeps at Brompton Junction and the chance to see the G-Line in the flesh. It is a lovely bicycle. The 20 inch wheels are just a small part of its newness:

• Disc brake
• New self-aligning hinge clamps
• New easy wheels
• Re-designed frame and forks
• Wide platform pedals 
• Wide handlebars
• New ergonomic grips
• Water bottle bosses and a set on one of the forks
• Tubeless ready tyres
• 8x speed Shimano Alfine hub
• Three colours

There was a pre-recorded message from the Brompton big cheese, Will Butler-Adams and then designer Will took the floor to explain more about the G-line. After Will, Brompton tester Tom told us about some of the recent adventurous rides he has been on.

After all this, there was the opportunity take both versions of the bike (standard and electric) for a test run. I did managed to sit on one of them and it was rather comfy to say the least. I sadly didn't have the time to take one out for a pedal as I had to collect Mrs Orange and eldest Orangette.

No need to guess which of the three colours I liked the best. It was as if it could have been made for me in that regard! Would I buy one? Well the appeal is great. I cannot say in all honesty that I would ever stray too far off-road. I joked to some of the Brompton peeps that cycling from N6 down Swain's Lane, across Hampstead Heath, around Regents Park and down through Hyde Park and then back the other way, was a compelling inducement to get this bike!

I suspect that the G-Line will sell itself to current Brompton owners and an entire new crowd. I can see the draw of the T-line - Brompton Bikes last big thing - but it still is something that just doesn’t appeal to me personally. The G-line…Brompton have surely struck gold. Or should I say, 'Adventure Orange?!'

Many thanks to Brompton and Brompton Junction for the hospitality. Until next time, stay safe out there people!