London to Shoreham-on -Sea overnight on a Brompton

Friday night into Saturday morning saw me taking part in a Friday night ride to the coast: Shoreham-on-Sea. Armed with my trusty Orange Titanium, I set off for the start not far from the London Eye, feeling reasonably optimistic and only mildly aware that I was about to spend the best part of the night pedalling in the direction of a seaside town while most sensible people were either asleep or making poor choices of their own.

The Curious Case of the Lamppost-Bound Brompton

There’s a particular species of urban cyclist that fascinates and terrifies me in equal measure: the Brompton owner who (steel yourself for this)…leaves their bike locked to a lamppost. Yes, you read that right. The same folding wonder designed to slip discreetly under your desk, disappear into the boot of a cab, or quietly insinuate itself into the luggage compartment of a train is instead chained outside like it is an abandoned pony. 

Opening a parcel containing a new Brooks saddle can be painful - Part 2

Last week I hinted at a Part 2 for all things saddles. Here it is. As I wrote this it brought back more an a few memories! A few years ago, there was a ride called the ‘St Crispin’s Day Ride’ which was great fun. I remember signing up for it the following year but was unable to participate due to a rather dramatic, avoidable, and painful accident involving a new Brooks saddle.

Back to a Brooks saddle - Part 1

There comes a time in every cyclist’s life when they look at their saddle and think, ‘You know what? This one makes my arse hurt!!’

The Cobblemonster 2026 on my G-Line a day early!

The official Cobblemonster event is happening today, but I had other plans for Sunday, so I decided to tackle it a day early. I set off bright and early on my G-Line, arriving at Barbican, conveniently along the route. I figured I’d start and finish there. After a few quick adjustments I’d prepared the day before, I loaded the route… and off I went.

A painful overnight Brompton London to Leigh-on-Sea

The first official night ride to the coast of 2026 took place last Thursday into Friday - and it turned out to be something of an eye-opener. More on that shortly.

Delightful Musical Discovery on My Orange Brompton

Last Friday, I embarked upon a ride on my trusty Orange Superlight, a bicycle that rarely fails to bring a smile to my face. As I pedalled through the bustling streets of London, I decided to take a brief stop near the iconic St Mary Le Bow church in Cheapside to check my phone for a message I was expecting. It was here that I had a delightful encounter with a gentleman who was intrigued by my Brompton. We struck up a conversation, and to my surprise, he mentioned that there was a lunchtime concert happening within the church in about 20 minutes or so.

A Midnight Brompton Adventure: less than two weeks away.

The nocturnal ride season is almost upon us, and if you’ve been following my escapades, you’ll know I have a soft spot for the odd night ride - especially those that whisk me away to the coast. In less than two weeks, I shall be dusting off one of my trusty Brompton and pedalling off into the night!

Back again this Sunday.

I sadly missed one Sunday posting for lots of technical issues that I will not bother you with. It got to the point where I was seriously considering throwing in the towel. All seems to be resolved and I hope normal service will be resumed. So, see you on Sunday, 22nd March. 

Until then, stay safe out there people.

P G Wodehouse locations seen on a Brompton

It is no secret that I am a bit of a PG Wodehouse fan. I bought one of his books at a church jumble sale when I was quite young and was soon drawn into the world of - for me at least - his best creation, Bertie Wooster. Bertie! The epitome of a well-meaning but hopelessly inept young man, forever entangled in matrimonial mishaps and impractical bets.

A Pilgrimage to the Spring London Pen Show 2026

Now this blog post is nothing to do with Brompton bicycles or cycling. Regular readers will know that I do like the odd fountain pen. So, this blog post is about that. I quite understand if it is not for you though.

Celebrating a Milestone: 4 Million Page Views!

I had planned to write and publish a completely different blog post to this one (that will now have to wait). Yesterday, at about 11 in the a.m. I took a rare peek at my blog statistics and was delighted to discover that I have surpassed an incredible 4 million page views! It feels just like yesterday when I celebrated reaching the 3 million mark back in November 2024. The growth in such a short time is truly heartwarming.

Ride London Event Put on Indefinite Pause

The Ride London event, a much-anticipated cycling extravaganza that has brought together thousands of cyclists and spectators alike, has recently been put on indefinite pause. This decision - although not really a surprise - has left many in the cycling community pondering the implications of such a significant change.

Lycra: A Fashion Statement or a Cry for Help?

Back in April 2024, I wrote a blog post I simply titled, Lycra! The link to that post can be found HERE. I am afraid that I am back to writing about what cyclists wear, and I warn you in advance, many of you might not be best pleased. Here we go.

Brompton Electric 12-speed for me rather than 4-speed

First of all, can you believe it is February! The weather is still pretty awful here in London but at least January is over with. 

It will only be a few weeks away that I will have had my Brompton Electric for two years. Recently, it has been on my mind, and I thought it fitting to share my experiences in a blog post. If you take a look at my blog archive, you will notice that 2023 was rather sparse in terms of posts. The reason for this was straightforward: I had a knee issue that made cycling unwise for a while. It was one of those on-and-off situations, but by June 2023, I decided to consult my doctor.

Why I Take Lots of Photos of My Brompton

As a keen cyclist (that means only on one of my Brompton bicycles) and someone who has always liked taking photos, my Brompton bike has become more than just a mode of transport; it almost acts as a muse on my countless adventures. Each photograph I take of my Brompton tells a story, capturing not just the bike itself but the experiences and memories I’ve gathered along the way.

Brutal London Brompton Bicycle Ride

At the start of the overnight ride to Maldon back in September 2025, my friend Geoff kindly gifted me a map of Brutalist London. This lists the locations of some of London's choice brutalist architecture. Mapping myself out a little 11 mile route, I ventured out to try and locate as many as I could. 

The Great Lime Bicycle Blockade

The Tower of London, a majestic fortress steeped in history, where tales of kings, queens, and the occasional beheading echo through the ages. (It is little bit like one of those awful theme parks now). But lo and behold, what greets the unsuspecting visitor? A veritable army of Lime hire bicycles parked haphazardly and blocking the pavement like the carnage from a recent battle.

On my Brompton G-Line Through Richmond Park After Dark

Picture a crisp, clear night in Richmond Park, the moon hanging high like a giant disco ball illuminating the path ahead and me, armed with my trusty Brompton G Line, ready to traverse the vast expanse ahead. What could possibly go wrong?

My Orange Brompton Plans for 2026

Happy New Year! As I look ahead to 2026, I find myself filled with excitement and anticipation for the adventures that await me on my trusty Orange Brompton bicycles. Cycling has been a source of exercise and relaxation for more years than I care to mention, and I believe that the streets of London offer endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. This year, I am determined to make the most of my rides, not only by visiting interesting locations but also by delving further into the rich history that our capital has to offer.