Preparing Brompton bikes for the Dunwich Dynamo

As I type this blog post, the Dunwich Dynamo is just over a week away. Eek!!

The Dunwich Dynamo is an annual cycling event, starting at Hackney Fields in London and finishing at Dunwich Beach, some 112 miles away.

Last Sunday by way of starting the preparations for this event I decided to give my Orange Special Edition a good clean. (It was still dirty from the very wet Whitstable run a few weeks ago). I knew that the next few weeks will be very busy for me and if I didn't start the prep now, it would all end up being last minute.

The first big decision is what Brompton to take with me? There are plus and minus points for each of my two Brompton bikes.

Orange Special Edition

• Better front dynamo light
• Older so less likely to be bothered by a summer downfall

Flame Orange

• Front and rear dynamo lights have built in reflectors - but front light not as powerful
• This bike has a Brooks B17 Titanium Special which is really, really comfortable

In truth there is not much in it.

The big thing I need to do is fit a pair of standard Marathon tyres to my Orange Special Edition. I have had Marathon Plus tyres fitted since the bike was new and although they are much better than the older versions I remember, I still prefer the standard Marathons. A brand new pair arrived today so I will hopefully fit them over the weekend.

Next is water. In hot weather I seem to need a fair bit, so I will need to carry a few bottles. Hopefully I will be able to stop along the route and fill up somewhere.

The final thing to do will be to check the bikes over and make sure I am happy with everything. I actually like the idea of having two Brompton bikes that I can choose from. Once this is all done it will be a case of turning up and pedalling into the night.

Your new Brompton - Expectation vs Reality Part II

Back in 2014 I wrote a blog post titled 'Your new Brompton - Expectation vs Reality.' CLICK HERE A great deal has happened in the almost five years since this post was written and I thought I would write a part II.

Expectation #1

To make your Brompton unique, you customise it in some small way. This might be fitting a new Brooks saddle or new grips. You don't need to go too far.

Reality #1 

Customising your Brompton is a trip down the rabbit hole! Before you know it you'll be looking for upgrades sourced from the Far East offering exotic materials such as titanium or carbon fibre!

Expectation #2 

Brompton bikes rarely get punctures and if you do, you'll get your Brompton Toolkit out of the frame and have your Marathon Plus tyres off in next to no time. I mean how hard can to be?!

Reality #2

Unless someone has told you how to fix a puncture or you have had a practice run beforehand or are just mechanically minded, you stare at your rear wheel puncture first in disbelief and then horror. You all but become a character from a Jane Austen novel, ready to faint at any moment. With the wheel off - eventually - you get the tyre levers out of your Brompton Toolkit (that you bought at the same time as your Brompton but never thought you'd actually use for its intended purpose). Onlookers think that you are perhaps in training for 'Worlds Strongest Man' as much wrestling and effort ensues. As you attempt to get the type off the rim, the only thought in your head is that this must look like you are competing in 'Worlds Strongest Man!' At this point you seriously consider whether your AA, RAC or Greenflag breakdown cover will stretch to Brompton punctures!!

Expectation #3 

You have bought your new Black Special Edition. To match your new Brompton you buy one or two colour coordinated items of clothing. When choosing Brompton luggage you  opt for more of the same. It is only one or two items - just to compliment your bike.

Reality #3

Along with Reality #1 this is a rabbit hole. Before you know it you are head to foot in black and anything not black, you want black. Heaven forbid, but you might actually become know by the colour of your Brompton!!

Expectation #4

Your Brompton is built like a tank and able to cope with the grind of a daily commute in whatever weather. Nothing will stop you...nothing!!!

Reality #4

You seek out and install several weather apps on your phone and pay more attention to meteorological matters. For the first few weeks of ownership you dare not take your Brompton outside if there is even the slightest chance of precipitation. In fact you consider a second Brompton for such an occasion, justifying it by the notion of you needing a summer and winter Brompton.

Out on your Brompton your worst fear is realised as a bead of water hits your head and then...your Brompton. You pedal faster as the rain starts to fall. Tat least the rain will help to mask the tears!!

Expectation #5 

You buy your Brompton and with it or soon after a Mini O-bag. You find this great to carry your essentials.

Reality #5

It's another rabbit hole. Along with #3 your look for ones that colour coordinate your Brompton. Next it is bigger bags. After that ones finished in different materials. Before you know it you have more bags than you can use!



If any ion these ever applied to you please leave a comment and let me know. Just remember, you are not alone!

7 reasons why owning a Brompton is good for you

I can honestly say that owning a Brompton has been nothing but - and continues to be - a positive experience. Lots of my fellow Brompton riders would almost certainly agree and I thought I would give you seven reasons why riding a Brompton is good for you. Here goes. In no particular order:

#1 Health benefits

If you comment to and from work or go out for the add Brompton adventure you are almost certainly going to burn some calories. Do this often enough and you could lose some weight. This will in turn cut your risk of heart disease and cancer. It can also help to strengthen your immune system. There have been reports to suggest cycling can help to give better lung health, which in turn helps reduce incidents of the common cold.

#2 Save time

Having a Brompton can definitely help you to save some time. At its simplest level, if you get the bus, train or tube to work it will cut down on your walk to the station or bus stop. It will also cut back on the waiting around to catch one of these. A simple example of two journeys I have taken might illustrate this best.

Non-Brompton journey - Walk to the bus stop. Wait for a bus. Get on the bus, Walk to destination.

Brompton journey - Unfold. Cycle. Fold. Take your bike with you to your destination.

#3 Better mental health

Cycling to work had allowed me to process ideas and concerns. Cycling from work to home has given me the chance to unwind and pack the day at work away by the time I reach home. It is of course a physical activity and doing do releases adrenalin and endorphins that would otherwise not be. All have been linked to boosting your mental health. Being quite often a social activity, riding your Brompton can increase your circle of friends. This certainly helps with your mental wellbeing and work life balance.

#4 Muscle

Cycling your Brompton over time builds muscle. Muscle is leaner than fat and more muscle results in more calories being burnt.

#5 Sleep

It might be fairly obvious that cycling on you Brompton for a good few miles will tire you out a little and help you sleep that bit better.

#6 Friends

Cycling on your Brompton can be a solitary activity but it can also become a much more social one. I have gained several friends purely and simply from owning a Brompton and joining a group ride.

#7 Save money

A Brompton is not inexpensive and many might gawp at its cost. However with a cycle to work scheme or with Brompton now offering 0% finance the cost can be spread a little thinner. If you replace your regular commute with a Brompton, it won't take too long before all those savings on fares will pay for the Brompton and you might benefit from all of the above.

There you have it. My top 7 reasons why owning a Brompton might be good for you.