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.

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.

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.

London to Maldon nocturnal on a Brompton?

It seems like ages ago now, but on Friday, 5th September, I embarked on the last official nocturnal group ride of the season to Maldon. Well, almost Maldon, hence the question mark in the blog title. More on that later though.

Chelsea's rural heritage seen on a Brompton G-Line

The other day I found myself cycling in the now rather fancy Chelsea. As I past this particular building, first seen on one of Ross’s brilliant quite interesting Sunday rides a few years ago, I decided to stop and take a few photos of my Brompton G-Line…and the building in question of course! Yes you read that correctly…rural. 

The cows head on the building were once the mooo-dels (sorry, I could not resist) for Wright's Dairy, which proudly served Londoners with milk, from the late 1700s.

Overnight ride from Cambridge to King’s Lynn on a Brompton

Last Friday, I joined the lovely Friday peeps for a ride that is a firm favourite of many, but one I had never participated in before: Cambridge to King’s Lynn. Now, let me tell you, I had been asked whether I was going on this ride for some time, but as it doesn’t start in London and getting back can take a while longer than usual, I was rather undecided. But, when Dr John and Geoff, two chaps I know all too well, confirmed they were up for the challenge, I thought, “Why not?” So, I signed up and purchased my train tickets.

Modern architecture ride on a Brompton

Last Sunday I joined the lovely Friday peeps for an architectural cycle ride in which we would be treated to some of the more modern buildings the city has to offer. Starting at the usual Hyde Park Corner we set off in good time and in weather conditions that got better as the ride progressed. I even had the time for a few touristy photos.

Brutal Barbican on a Brompton

I have always held quite the soft spot for Brutalist architecture, often perceived as a subject of polarising opinion - one either loves it or loathes it. I firmly belong to the former category. Throughout my relatively unchanged residence in London, I have been fortunate to be in proximity to some great examples of this architectural style. The Barbican Centre, a quintessential representation of Brutalism, has always been a favourite and epitomises the aesthetics of this genre. As you might suspect, I possess literally thousands of photographs capturing various angles, times of day and different seasons.

Quite interesting ride on my Orange Titanium Brompton - Part 2

Hello dear reader. I am glad you came back for part 2 of my recent 'Quite interesting ride on my Orange Titanium Brompton.' 

6. Myddleton Passage. Where a wall is not just a wall!

Regular readers and those of you who follow me on Instagram (you can find me on there by typing @orangebrompton) will know that I do like a brick wall to rest my Brompton and take a photo. This aspect has become a signature element in my posts. This particular wall was very different indeed.

Quite interesting ride on my Orange Titanium Brompton - Part 1

Last Sunday, I went on the sixth version of the ‘Quite Interesting Ride’ series, which is the brainchild of the gentleman that is, Ross. Regrettably, this was to be the last of his rides of this type, but that didn’t deter me from attending, even with the forecast predicting near-constant rain (more on that later)! After all, skin is waterproof!

The ride started near London Bridge station, and I had to resort to using several tube lines to get there on time. As you know, dear reader, I am not the biggest fan of public transport, but I steeled myself for the worst and got there in the end.

With that challenge behind me, I dusted off my trusty Orange Titanium Brompton for this occasion. (I wasn't keen on getting my G-Line or Brompton Electric wet)! Initially, riding one of my small-wheeled Brompton after such a long hiatus felt a bit odd - for about two minutes, that is. Once I found my rhythm, I was absolutely loving the ride. There’s something freeing about zipping around on a Brompton, even in drizzly conditions!

The premise of the ride was simple. We would visit 15 interesting locations covering roughly 15 miles of gentle cycling. It was a perfect opportunity to soak in the history of London. As we set off, each stop promised unique views and stories.

In this blog post, I will cover the first five locations. The rest will follow at a later date - when I have more time to write them. Keep an eye out for those. 

1. The Royal Exchange - Giant Grasshopper weathervane

The grasshopper was the emblem of Tudor financier, Sir Thomas Gresham. He founded the first Royal Exchange in 1565, establishing a vital hub for commerce. Moreover, he set up Gresham College, which delights audiences to this day with engaging public lectures. The grasshopper appears on top of the Royal Exchange building and also elsewhere in the City. 

But here’s a whimsical twist: it is said that Thomas’s ancestor, Roger de Gresham, was abandoned as a small child in the marshy parts of Norfolk. What a spot to be left! Remarkably, little Roger was eventually discovered by a lady, intriguingly drawn to the sound of a chirruping grasshopper. Now, whether this sound came from a genuine grasshopper or if young Roger was simply wailing like one remains a mystery. Perhaps it’s more likely that the tale springs from an old pun connecting Gresh and grass! Either way, it adds flavour to the Gresham legacy.

2. Fine wooden doors at 23 Cornhill. 

This location was once the headquarters of the Cornhill Insurance Company, an establishment rich in history. 

The mahogany doors, designed by the esteemed Sir Walter Gilbert in 1939, are the highlight. He was quite the noteworthy figure, also responsible for the façade at Selfridges on Oxford Street and the gates of Buckingham Palace.

The intricate carvings on the doors catch the eye, each illustrating significant events that have shaped the area over time. They serve as a visual narrative, linking the past to the present. The doors are rather lovely and stand as a testament to the craftsmanship of their time, inviting visitors to pause and appreciate the stories they tell. Saying that, I have passed them countless times and never given them a second glance. It is only thanks to this ride that I know they existed at all!

3. Mercer's Maiden

This carving in Covent Garden is the symbol of the Mercer’s Guild and signifies their ownership, appearing on several buildings across London. While there are a few in Covent Garden, this mid-16th century example is uniquely set into the wall of a newer building. The Mercers originally specialised in fancy textiles and were the foremost guild in London, playing a significant role in the city’s commercial history.

4. St Lawrence Jewry, Gresham Street. (Another weathervane). 

The original church was built here in the 12th century but was destroyed in the Great Fire of London of 1666. It was subsequently rebuilt to the design of Sir Christopher Wren, renowned for his masterpiece, St Paul's Cathedral. However, this architectural tale is merely the backdrop to a much more intriguing...disturbing story.

St Lawrence, born in 225, served as a Christian deacon in Rome. His unwavering faith drew the ire of the Roman Prefect, who ordered a gridiron to be prepared, with hot coals seething beneath it. Yes, as one might surmise, St Lawrence was placed atop the gridiron - what a chilling fate and what a way to go! Ironically, he is honoured as the Patron Saint of individuals who work with fire. To add a layer of absurdity, he is also the Patron Saint of comedians. This latter designation may stem from the legend that, in defiance of his impending martyrdom, St Lawrence is alleged to have boldly declared, "I’m done on this side!"

5. The Castle pub, Farringdon.

The Castle pub, adorned with the distinctive three brass balls on its sign, both outside and inside, is renowned for its unique status as a pawnbroker. The origins of this unusual designation trace back to an incident involving a gentleman who, having suffered considerable losses at a nearby cockfight, probably up the road in Clerkenwell, sought assistance at the Castle Pub. In need of immediate funds, he implored the landlord to advance him some cash, offering his gold pocket watch as collateral. The landlord acquiesced, and soon after, a royal employee reclaimed the watch with a cash payment. The gentleman with the watch was in fact George IV. This transaction resulted in the landlord receiving a Royal Warrant, thereby officially permitting the Castle to operate as a pawnbroker. Consequently, it stands as the only pub in England with such a privilege. In contrast, if one finds themselves financially bereft at your local Wetherspoons, exchanging a bicycle for cash would be an improbable endeavour!

Well, that is you lot for now. Many thanks to Ross for all his research and effort into these rides. They are quite simply brilliant. There will be more in a future blog post so keep an eye for it. 

Until next time, stay safe out there people!

Meeting up with my Partner in Crime

It has been far too long since I went out for a cycle ride with my Partner in Crime, so early last week we arranged to go for one of our favoured routes that we have been on countless times before.

We met at the London Eye and were soon off in an easterly direction. Our first port of call however was to stop off for a quick hot drink and snack. Feeling suitably refreshed we continued. It didn’t take long for us to catch up on what we had been up to. 

My Partner in Crime has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer. When I found out about this, I experienced a few reactions that varied from disbelief, to anger to sadness and then positivity. Thankfully it has been caught early and positivity is something my riding Partner exhibited. You can read his blog post about this. Click here.

At Wapping we stopped at Pelican Stairs adjacent to the Prospect of Whitby pub. Luckily as the tide was out, meaning we could go onto the foreshore of the Thames. We are definitely kindred spirits and needed no encouragement to take lots of photographs of our respective Brompton bicycles. 

Heading further east we reminisced about the many adventures we had been on. This included a never to be forgotten return journey from Whitstable! Read about that one HERE!! Our night rides to the coast. The several Brompton World Championships we have attended. We even recalled a time where a group of us inadvertently strayed onto a railway line with trains rolling past. (Understandably, I have not written a blog post about that one, nor will I)!! 

We reached the Thames Flood Barrier but the information centre (and cafe) is now only open on Saturday. So, we headed back to the establishment where we had a snack to have something more substantial. 

Of the Brompton peeps, Andrew is one of the Brompton users I have know the longest. We would never have met had it not been for the fact we both had a Brompton bicycle. We were I suppose drawn to each other. He had the Bumblebee thing going on and I the Orange thing. It is in many ways incredible that a wonderful friendship started as a result. We are both older - probably not wiser - and I know that I will have many more years of adventure on two small wheels. 

Until next time, stay safe out there people. 

Nostalgic Brompton New Year's Day Ride

New Year's Day was to proved to be a rather nostalgic one as far as riding my Brompton was concerned. A club ride had been set and there were even two meet locations - King's Cross and Richmond.

Always an early riser I decided to get up and cycle the 16+ miles to King's Cross to meet Jenny and a few others there for 10:00. The plan was for us to then cycle to Richmond Station where we would meet the larger group at noon.

King's Cross

Our route to Richmond was lovely, taking us through central London getting busy for the Lord Mayor's Parade later that day.

Our pace was sedate and conversational and I caught up with lots of cycling gossip from Jenny. After over 13+ miles we rolled into the familiar territory of Richmond.

Jenny leading the way

The meeting point was the Costa Coffee near the station. I cannot tell you how many Brompton adventures and friendships have been made at this location. Instantly my mind was cast back to early Saturday mornings when we used to head off to all sorts. Lots of us headed inside for a hot drink and and snack while waiting for other participants to arrive.

There were so many old faces, Brian who loves on a canal boat with his cat Fabby, who in the past has been on all sorts of adventures, some where his rear wheel was basically falling apart. The always stylish Zoom Zoom who I was very pleased to see again. The gentleman that is Andy, who I last saw when finishing the Evans Cycles West London Sportive last year. Chris and her new arrival in the form of Daisy who was riding on a seat propelled by her dad Jack. Of course there was also Anne and David who I always love seeing.

Memory Lane!

Chris showing she still has it

Out route was 16 miles and took us out from Richmond along the River Thames past Twickenham, Kingston upon Thames, Hampton Court, Bushy Park, Teddington and back to Richmond.

Naturally, every so often photos had to be taken - which is what Brompton people do. In fact most of us look for a lovely location, place our bikes in front and take a picture - with the Brompton taking centre stage!!

Photo call - one of many

As I cycled memories occasionally popped into my mind of various locations, adding to the nostalgic nature of this ride.

Hampton Court

Bushey Park

Fenton!!!

One such memory was when we arrived at Bushy Park. I recall us using the pedestrian gate at almost midnight on our return from an evening adventure from Kew Gardens to Box Hill and back. I made a mental note to do that again when the whether gets better.

Bushy Park was one of our stops and again a few of us bought a drink and snack. I decided upon tea and a Bakewell slice and I have to report they were wonderful!

We arrived at the familiar Richmond Park. We formed a natural little peloton and it was a magnificent sight as we purposefully rode through, still chatting and still smiling.

Nothing like a Brompton peloton!

At Richmond Station we said our goodbyes and made plans for future rides. Thanks to Jenny and David for leading their parts of the ride. It really was a lovely way to start the New Year. Thank you to them and everyone else who attended.

I decided to cycle home from Richmond - another 13+ miles - letting my Wahoo do its magic of guiding me along an interesting but quiet route. I made it home in pretty good time. In all, I clocked up 59 miles. If I had of know it was so close to 60 miles I might have stayed out a little until I had reached it. Still, it's a good start to my 2020 tally.

A sunny Brompton ride to Chislehurst Caves

Yesterday was a Brompton Club ride to Chislehurst Caves. I was due to visit another gathering I attend which is indoors but when I got up, saw that the sun was shining it felt like a shame not to spend it cycling. So I headed off into the sunshine.

The meet point was the London Eye at 12:00. This was a little later that I would have preferred but the with the weather being so lovely I didn't mind. London was heaving and it seemed that everyone and their uncle was out. Trying to walk my bike over the Millennium Foot Bridge took ages as people stopped to take photos of the view, themselves or just to standing to enjoy the view and take it all in.

At the meet point there were actually two groups of Brompton riders waiting. One lot under the shade of a tree and the others my the river. Saying hello to a few people under the tree I spied my old Brompton bicycle. It was great to see it again (and its owner of course) but I am not sentimental enough to think I wished I still owned it.

Dr John and Andrew were there and both in good form. We chewed the fat for a while and quite normal for a Brompton ride, eyed up what bikes and accessories everyone else had.

I know that orange Brompton!!

Our ride leader was Jenny with Simon acting as the tail end Charlie. After another rider and gentleman that is, Chris was fashionably late, at 12:30 we headed off.

Our ride leader 

The route was urban but on fairly quiet roads. I had taken my big camera with me but got bored of taking photos and decided to have a chat with Dr John, Andrew and a few of the other riders instead. Perhaps a smaller camera or just my iPhone might be more suitable?

It was a slow pace by what I have become accustomed to but it is not always about the number of miles cycled or how fast you get there. As I cycled along and certainly by the end of the ride when cycling home, I reflected on this a little more and concluded that I really should do more of these rides.

Of course as I thought about that 'The Old Vic' theatre came into view. At this point on so many night rides to the coast - namely London to Brighton - Dr John and I turn right at this theatre and it marks the start proper of our nocturnal adventures. I made mental note to put a date in the diary for one of these.

There were lots of Brompton riders out on this ride. For some it might have been a challenge, while for others it would have been much easier. The is the beauty of these rides. They are inclusive. This is possibly why I have stayed very clear of road bike clubs which in my experience are the total opposite.

At one point a gentleman with a very nice Brompton fitted with a large 8 x gear hub (I think it was 8) had a mechanical issue. This he sorted out at speed and with total confidence.

After about 13 miles we made it to Chislehurt Caves. Some riders didn't want to visit the actual caves and took sanctuary in a nearby pub. Others went for the cave tour. I along with Dr John and Andrew made do with the Cave Cafe.

Wanting to get back I decided to put a central London tube station into my Wahoo and head off. Dr John and Andrew joined me.

The three of use riding together again was great. We covered the ground well and made it back to central London in good time.

We all got onto the same train. Andrew getting off first then Dr John and then me. It was a lovely ride  and I enjoyed it. It may seem strange cycling to Chistlehurst Caves not to go in and see them, however for me that was not the point of the ride. The journey is as important and the company more so.

There

Seeing my original Orange Brompton made me think how far I have come. When I first bought it I was pretty much cycling on my own covering fairly short distances. Wanting more, I eventually found more and more likeminded people and went on more and more crazy adventures. Back in September 2010 when I had just ordered my first Orange Brompton (that was on this ride) on my first blog post I wrote at the end, 'This could be the start of something rather exciting. A Brompton!' It has been that and will continue to be.

And back