Sunday, 9 February 2025

The novelty of a rear rack on a Brompton no longer a novelty

Two blog posts in one day! Surely not?

On the Brompton bicycles I have owned, the idea of getting one with a rear rack or retrofitting one, has not been given a second thought. With my G-Line, it was a must as it was either rack with mudguards or no rack and no mudguards. Living in London/UK where the weather is as unpredictable as what seems to appear in the news at the moment, having a rack was a must.

Look at the rugged rear rack!

Perfect for those...ahem...spontaneous photo opportunities!

At first, the rack was a bit of a novelty and just existed. I didn't have a use for it. However, when I half folded the bike, it stayed in place in a rather pleasing way. Photo opportunities were made less scary as it make the bike more stable. When I was at a station, using the rack when the bike was semi-folded was wonderful. It glided along as a swan might. 

The addition of bungee straps meant that I could actually carry the odd item quite easily and securely. A panettone from a select delli travelled safely, sitting on the rack while traversing the wild gravel tracks to be found on Hampstead Heath!

On another occasion, I didn't take a front bag with me but stored what I needed in a little waterproof roll-top bag secured quite happily on the rear rack. It all worked well. 

I cannot see me getting a rear rack for any of my other Brompton bicycles. On the G-Line is really does enhance, the look. The look I refer to is one of dead hard, butchness. On my other Brompton bikes it might give off the vibe of a sociology teacher or maybe probation officer. I'm sure you know what I mean, but it just isn't for me. 

Yes, it makes the G-Line heavier however I like it and it works. It enhances the all-terrain, rugged look of the G-Line, even if the owner still looks like a junior government minister on a fact finding exercise!

Until next time, stay safe out there people!

I say farewell to the Cloud Blue

Yesterday, I parted company with my Cloud Blue. It has been several months since I used it and as many months since the decision was made to sell it. 

I bought this bike as I really liked the colour and designated it the job of being my commuter Brompton. It served me well for this purpose and also worked well when the wet stuff arrived and I couldn’t bring myself to take one of my Orange Brompton bikes out. 

The arrival of my Brompton Electric and G-line have meant that the Cloud Blue wasn’t just the 13th bat sitting and waiting in the pavilion, it did not have a hope of making the first 11. 

I did go on quite a few adventures with it. If my memory serves me, I think that I took it for an overnighter to Brighton not that long after unpacking it. CLICK HERE to read about this adventure to Brighton

I now have only Orange Brompton bikes in my entourage and on several levels that does seem a better fit. 

It goes to a good home and it’s new owner has bought a really great bike. 

Until next time, stay safe out there people! (You never know, there might even be another blog post later today, by no promises). 


Sunday, 2 February 2025

The best Blue Plaque in London?!

A stones throw from Baker Street station, if you look carefully enough, you might just stumble upon the best Blue Plaque in London.

‘Danger Mouse’ was a cartoon series that all began in 1981. It followed the exploits of British Secret Agent, Danger Mouse and his sidekick, Penfold. It had a wonderful theme tune and memorable for many reasons.

So, a wonderful find this morning and my favourite Blue Plaque.

Until next time, stay safe out there people.


Follow me sign up

Hello you there dear reader. I have finally managed to get a subscribe by email widget which will make it a great deal easier for you to know when a new blog post it out. 

It is rather simple. You simply enter an email address you would like a notification to go to and then an email will be sent to that address which you click to confirm. Once that is done, you should get a notification whenever I publish a blog post. Naturally, I will not bombard you with hundreds of posts and you can unsubscribe at any time. 

For reasons unknown blogger removed this facility a few years ago but since quite a few of you have contacted me about this, here it is. 

Until next time, stay safe out there people!



Saturday, 1 February 2025

Normal clothes for cycling

On a Christmas lights ride (I went on three) I had a commitment beforehand that meant cycle specific clothing was not an option. So, I simply wore my normal outside of work attire that have pretty much acted as a sort of uniform or as long as I can remember. This did get me pondering the question of whether or not you actually need cycle-specific clothing all the time?

That uniform I mention for this time of year is: tweed blazer, wool turtleneck jumper, jeans and a pair of Chelsea boots or gibson shoes. The only item of cycle-specific clothing I wore to these rides was a cycle helmet.  I felt pretty comfortable cycling around and tweed being an amazing material, did keep me fairly warm. I did also have a hi-viz tabard and rain jacket stowed away if I felt I needed it but that was it. I usually wear something similar when ambling around London and again the question of whether I need cycling specific gear all the time is one that keeps rising to the surface. 

Many years ago, I recall cycling from my university near midday and locking my bike to the railings in Cavendish Square. From there I would meet my mum and sometimes both my mum and dad for lunch somewhere before heading back for afternoon lectures/tutorials. I wore pretty much the uniform I describe and I remember it had the seal of approval from my mum and to some extent my dad. 

Being a Brompton user for many years, the concept of being able to just get on your bike and go literally anywhere at a moments notice has always appealed. I have some lycra but it isn't my default cycling attire as you have probably guessed. 

So, I have a few rides coming up in the near future and as far as what I will be wearing, I suspect it would have made my late mum proud. 

Let me know what you think about normal clothes when out and about on your Brompton. Until next time, stay safe out there people!

Saturday, 25 January 2025

Ultimate cat toy? That will be a Brompton G-Line box!

You might know that cats are very much a feature of our household. We have several cats, all of the Maine Coon variety. They are huge, naughty at times and full of fun. An unexpected Christmas present for them is still serving them very well. 

When my G-Line arrived, it stood in our large hall, making it a great deal smaller. I took my G-Line out of the box in came in, excitedly taking it to another room to put the saddle on and have a good look at it. The box was left in the hall. Within seconds, the box was being investigated by several cats. It was pushed over on its side. One cat sat on top while another two entered the little opening. Another, also inside the box, started to try and hit those on top. The final cat (have you worked out how many Maine Coon cats we have) decided it was a brilliant toy and joined its sibling on top. 



It is a good job the G-Line box is large as normal cats toys are next to useless for them. So, since I got my G-Line, the box has remained in the hall as the ultimate cat toy!

Until next time, stay safe out there people!

Saturday, 18 January 2025

So, what is it about night rides? Here are my top 9x reasons.

If you have read any of my past ramblings, you will know that I am rather partial to the odd night ride. (If it is to the coast, even better). Though I have written about night rides several times, I thought I would try and explain further their undoubted appeal.

Night rides for me started several years ago. My partner in crime, Andrew (Bumblebee) and I decided that we would go on something called the, Velonotte CLICK HERE back in 2012. Before, during and after this ride, I think that both of us might have wondered what possessed us? However, it was not that long until I wanted go on something similar. I now cannot count how many times I have been on a night ride.

#1 Anticipation 

There is quite a lot of looking forward to a night ride coming round. Before the ride, one has to make sure that ones Brompton, cycling gear and lights are all ready. On the day of the ride, it remains in the back of your mind. Questions pop up, such as what will the weather be like? Am I crazy to do this? What do I need to take with me? Am I crazy to do this? It all adds to the anticipation. 

#2 The people

On these rides you get to ride with and chew the fat with old friends. Conversations go from humorous to everything in between. You do meet and chat to people from all walks of life, ages and cultures. All of this makes the mile fly by and even when the rain is howling down or it gets cold, you always have someone to share the journey with and have a chat to. It makes things a great deal more interesting.


#3 Solitude

The opposite to  #2 is that you can quite happily cycle along on your own. There are moments where for a few miles, one follows the tail light of someone in the distance in total solitude, escaping in your own thoughts. 

 
#4 The halfway stop

On official rides (and unofficial) the halfway stop is like claiming sanctuary. It provides warth, a proper toilet, a hot drink and often homemade cakes. The homemade variety can be viewed as near manna from heaven. Once inside I often find difficulty stringing a sentence together, trying not to nod off. If there have been hills, the rain has been pounding down, it has been windy or cold, it really is something to look forward to. 




#5 After the halfway stop

Without exception (even during the summer months) once the halfway stop is over and one heads outside ones bicycle to ride off again, I start to feel the cold. This feeling of being frozen, I liken to the shear cold experienced by Sir Ernest Shackleton on his many polar adventures. Is is perhaps also like one of those en vogue techniques to invigorate the mind body and soul such as an ice bath or wild swimming! (I'll stick to just exiting from the halfway stop)!

#6 Nature

Once you have cycled a few miles out of london, you cycle into that transition from urban to open countryside. Once you enter the latter there is an abundance of all things nature. Foxes, badgers, deer. Sheep, horses, cows. Owls and when near dawn the copious chorus of song birds. It really is quite wonderful to see, hear and experience.


#7 Bragging rights?

Once the night ride is over and I arrive back at a London railway station, I head for home. Occasionally, a passer by might ask about my Brompton and what sort of rides I go on. Many are shocked to hear about cycling through the night from London to somewhere on the coast and then getting the train back. At work the following Monday there is invariably something to say when someone asks, 'do anything over the weekend?'

#8 Sunrise

At some point on these rides, there is the chance to experience sunrise. The colours of the sky and along with #6 and the sound of the dawn chorus can all be quite magical. 

 

#9 Well-being

There are many studies out there saying that it is a good idea to get out and do something. This could be a walk, meeting a friend for a coffee, going for a run, doing some exercise, going for a cycle ride... I do think that cycling is a good thing for ones well-being and #2, #3 and #6 experienced on a night ride all help. 


Sunday, 12 January 2025

'The Cottage,' 3 Hayne Street, London as seen on a Brompton

Another Sunday blog post for you dear reader. See, I did not forget. 

Not far from Barbican tube station and Charterhouse Square, on 3 Hayne Street, stands 'The Cottage.' I mention Barbican tube station as at the end of the platform, opposite the exit, if you look up you will see the back of it, almost morphed into the buildings either side. It is definitely worth your time for a fleeting visit. 


For this particular adventure - in late August in memory serves me - I took my Brompton Electric with me. Despite my recent G-Line purchase, I really do love this bike. In my mind - for whatever reason - I have chosen not to use it in the winter months. It will almost certainly come out to play (and destroy the egos of a few roadies rasping up Swain's Lane) in mid-March. 

The rear view from Barbican platform


This 19th Century cottage had been set for demolition when Crossrail / the Elizabeth Line was being built. For the moment at least, it remains. 

The Street that is now Hayne Street came into being in the 1600s by Thomas Neale - perhaps most known for his efforts at Seven Dials in Covent Garden - incidentally, not fart from Brompton Junction London. The Metropolitan Railway bought a huge part of Charterhouse Square in 1864 and began work on their railway. Neale's street was then no more. 

In 1873-74 a new street - Hayne Street - was developed. Number 3 is now the last house standing of that time. It is a little bit like a glimpse of what was there all those years ago. 

Not sure whether anyone actually lives there or who the owner is but it would be a shame to see it go to make way for something to do with the Elizabeth Line, an office block or the usual luxury flats. 


Having a Brompton bicycle and the ability to poodle about on it in London, does mean that you stumble across things like this all the time. One of the many joys of owning one. (Other bicycles are of course available for this purpose but rarely as much fun). 

Until next time, stay safe out there people. 

Sunday, 5 January 2025

Possible plans for 2025

Welcome dear reader to my first Sunday blog post. As you might have read, the plan is to commit to more regular blog posts, with Sunday being the day set aside to press publish. 

We arrive at the start of another year and so thoughts turn to possibilities for the year ahead that one can look forward to. (With the weather outside, here in north London looking decidedly chilly, looking forward to better weather springs to mind almost instantly)!

I have a few things that I would like to pencil in and I suppose doing so provides an incentive to actually see them through. I have included a link or two to previous blog posts that are related. 


#1. Night rides to the coast. (Official)

These rides are probably only taking place a handful of times in 2025 but they are lovely. Usually, more than 40 riders starting in London, set off at the stroke of midnight, to traditionally end up at the coast several hour later. Simple idea and for some of you reading this a crazy one, but I do plan to participate in as many as I can. Click here to read my blog post about the night ride to Shoreham-by-Sea


#2.  Night rides to the coast. (Unofficial)

These rides are pretty much as above but with usually just Dr John and occasionally Geoff taking part. On several levels these unofficial rides are even more fun. I hope to do the classic London to Brighton but also end up at Whitstable, Burnham-on-Crouch, Shoreham, Bognor Regis and perhaps more. Click here to read about Dr John and I cycling to Brighton overnight


#3. The Cobble Monster

This ride is not happening in 2025, where participants cycle over lots of London's remaining cobbled streets and ascend many of south London's lung busting hills. I suspect that in early April I will use a route from previous years and cycle it myself. Click here for my 2024 post on the Cobble Monster


#4. Brompton World Championships?

Last year the event was lots of fun, after being absent for five years. Who knows whether it will return this year? If it does, I may well have to attend - being ahem...an world class international athlete! I just hope that if there is a BWC this year, participants get a medal for taking part!! Click here for my write up of the Brompton World Championships 2024


#5. London  

I make no secret of the fact that I love London, its history and architecture. I was born in London and never left. There is so much to see in terms of its history and I would imagine that many of my blog posts will feature the unusual parts London and its history as I anmb about on my Brompton. Click to read a blog post about an aspect of London history


#6. Dunwich Dynamo

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the Dynamo. If I participate in the Dynamo this year I think it will number 7. Hopefully I will be able to take part in it again and I will need to try and persuade Geoff to let me tag along! Click here for my 2024 Dunwich Dynamo blog post


Well, there you have it, my provisional list of cycling adventures that I would like to do in 2025. If you have a list too, please let me know what your plans are. 

Until next time, stay safe out there people. 

Wednesday, 1 January 2025

Blog post every Sunday!

Happy New Year! If you are reading this, you might have got bored of everything on the television, put down that book you were meaning to read and looked outside thinking, I don't really want to get my bike dirty. However you got here, welcome back, or welcome. 

This year I am going to try and stick to a weekly blog post that will go out every Sunday. I may well be able to commit to posting more, but I wanted to set myself a goal I feel I can achieve. 

So, a few days for me to think about what I will write!

Until next time (SUNDAY), stay safe out there people!!