Brompton Bicycle Richmond Park Spin

Early on Easter Sunday morning, with the sun shining, blue skies and a desire to get out on my Brompton, I decided to head out to an old haunt. Richmond Park.

My original plan (which I will have to return to) was to cycle to Box Hill and back. Leaving it too late, I opted for Richmond Park and I have to report I am very glad I did.

When I thought about it, the last time I had cycled in Richmond Park during the day was over a year and a half ago at David and Anne's wedding. I thought to myself that this was far too long a break.

As the blog title suggests I took my Orange Brompton with me. As I parked the car I could see from the many cyclists going back and forth and those loading and unloading their cars, that I was as far as I could tell, the only cyclist on small wheels.

My normal route has always been clockwise - which in many ways is a little harder - but today I decided to do something different and try the traditional anti-clockwise route. Comparing the two, I preferred the anti-clockwise route and will have this as my preferred direction of travel from now on.

The sun was shining and it made for lovely cycling conditions. A gentle breeze made things even more enjoyable. Lots of cyclists were out and it was lovely to see so many enjoying the park. This also serves to allow you to check out the bicycle bling being taken around the park. There is just about every brand going and bicycles of all price brackets. There were occasionally a few cyclists on bicycles costing as much as modest second hand family car, I was able to overtake and stay ahead of. The look on their faces as I went past was a picture. Of course the same happened to me. I was travelling flat out at 23 mph and was overtaken by roadie who seemed to glide past and into the distance with what seemed like little effort.

On my second lap the path ahead was blocked by several deer who crossed the road. I managed to capture a little video footage and it took every ounce of willpower for me not to shout, 'FENTON!!' (Look it up on YouTube if you are not familiar with it).

For my third lap I stopped to take some water and a small chocolate bunny. I was enjoying Richmond Park and wondered why it had taken me so long to return to there? It is easy for me to get to, provides a demanding enough ride and is fairly cycle friendly.

My three laps came up and despite wanting to do one more, time commitments meant me calling it a day. I averaged 14.8 mph for my three laps, which I was pleased with. I don't think that I could have or wanted to go any faster today. Besides it's more about the experience than STRAVA segments - which I have no interest in.

As I exited the park, I knew that I would be back on a more regular basis. I think that it would provide a good way of maintaining/improving my fitness, in scenery that is lovely.

Brompton Duo London to Brighton

After last weeks overnight ride to Whitstable I managed to convince Dr John to join me for an overnight ride, on our Brompton bicycles, along a tried and tested route from London to Brighton. The ride would take place on Maundy Thursday, running through to Good Friday. 

Our meet up point was the traditional location for many a night ride to the coast, near the Royal Festival Hall. I had travelled there part-way by tube and things looked a great deal quieter. As I cycled to the start location it was again much quieter than usual. It then dawned on me that it was Thursday and not the usual Friday.

The start and checking things over

Dr John was already there when I arrived. After a few last checks and almost at the stroke of midnight, we were off.

Last weeks Whitstable run was notable for the chilling riding conditions. The weather had been milder in the days leading up to this ride and I wore a less insulated jacket as a result.

Our progress was very good. Dr John and I have a very good riding relationship and pace ourselves pretty well. One constant was the full moon that helped to illuminate our journey.

The ride was totally unsupported. I would like to say that this meant it was like one of those totally unsupported polar expeditions, but I can't. The route meant that we headed for the outside of the Scout Hut in Horley to act as our halfway snack-point.

At one point in the ride as we had turned off after Clapham Junction, our path was blocked by a police cordon and an officer telling us to turn back. Along with the several cars, blue lights flashing, it looked serious. A local - standing in her front garden and looking to see what was going on - helpfully gave us directions to roughly where we wanted to go. Using these and the line on the Wahoo map, I attempted to simply cycle to the line and join up with the planned route. It worked. Back on track we proceeded.

The weather was strange at times. Every so often not became bitingly cold, only for it to return to normal not long after. At just over 25 miles or so we reached the Scout Hut at Horley. There we ate with some enthusiasm the snacks we had brought with us. Before setting off again we added an extra layer as we were both feeling the cold.

Inside the lovely Scout Hut!

Turners Hill was 8ish miles away and this would provide a suitable challenge and wasn't too bad on a Brompton. Dr John who missed Whitstable last week was still recovering from a nasty cold and chest infection and probably longed for his road bike. I have completed all rides this year on my Brompton and really enjoying it. Yes I have a couple of road bikes but I am having such fun using the Brompton at the moment they are gathering dust. I suspect both will be used in the future however I find that I am happier on the Brompton.

As we closed in on 50 miles cycled Ditchling Beacon loomed ever closer. It had been ages since I tackled Ditchling Beacon on a Brompton and when I thought hard about it, that  was back in 2016! (Way too long people)! I had completed my accent using one of my road bikes. I wondered how hard I might find things and whether my foot would touch the ground?

We reached the car park at the base of Ditchling Beacon at 05:30. We took some time to get ourselves ready. Snacks were consumed water was taken onboard - and also got rid of! Once ready we set off.

It's that way!

The Beacon ahead!!

I decided to use the map profile feature on the Wahoo. This is pretty good and the little triangle points to your position on the gradient. I have little regard for segments and couldn't really care how long it took me to ascent the Beacon - as long as I could. I therefore set a steady pace and kept to it. Dr John - who was on my read wheel - I think was at this point wishing he had brought his road bike. I don't think I have ever reached the Beacon so early in the day and the views as we made our ascent with the colour of the sun creating a red and orange backdrop was glorious. In addition to the visuals, birds sang away and I tried to identify a few. With the last incline ahead we had done it. Ditchling Beacon conquered on an Orange Brompton once more.

We took a few photos before heading into Brighton. As always the scenery was wonderful. As I looked at my Brompton parked in my favourite photo spot, memories of other rides came into view.

Our journey into central Brighton was almost traffic free at this time of the day. Stopping to take a photo of my Brompton in front of the famous Pavillion and Pier was the only sightseeing I wanted to do. There was a train at 06:59 and despite Dr John wanting a sit down breakfast I pressed on to the station. There we were able to get some food, board our train and almost have the carriage to ourselves. The train was bound for St. Pancras but at Farringdon Station I said my goodbyes.

Many thanks for Dr John for coming with me - and using his Brompton! This ride felt pretty good for me on a Brompton. I am hoping that by completing rides of this nature, I am building up to have a very comfortable Dunwich Dynamo.

Tweed Run - some tickets available

I think I have attended five Tweed Run events and always enjoyed them. The Tweed Run is and event where participants dress up in their finest - hopefully with a little or lots of tweed - and cycle around London at a fairly sedate pace. It is great fun to be part of and the look on peoples faces as a peloton of tweed passes by is a slight to behold.

I was lucky enough to get a ticket for the Tweed Run to be held on Saturday, 5th May the day they were released and as always is the case for the Tweed Run they sold out very quickly.

If you are available for this date, the people at the Tweed Run have released a few more tickets. I am not sure that many people are aware of this as they have probably assumed they have sold out. The tickets are £32.57 and available on their website. I would imagine that they won't be available for long.