You want me to do what?

I have always said that this blog is pretty much an online dairy for myself. That is all I have ever wanted for it and as far as I am concerned, it has worked well. Over  the years I have build up a loyal following and occasionally - when I can be bothered to do it - several rather lovely people have sent me the odd cycling or Brompton related item to write about on here. Over the weekend, I received a rather strange request that when I questioned, got even stranger. 

It seems that a fairly new Brompton user has not only bought the bike they have set up their own  video channel. What they wanted me to do, was to take their Brompton (as it isn't Orange but black) and use it for one of my night rides to the coast. The reason why they could not do this themselves is that they have only ever cycled up to 12 miles and didn't have the time to ride through the night. 

Just to be clear I corresponded with this person to find out more - more in disbelief than anything else - and they wanted me take some photos of their bike at various parts of the ride and also video. For this they would let me borrow their GoPro. They then wanted me to hand over the photos and their GoPro so that they could use it for a video, claiming they had done the ride themselves. Oh, and I was not to tell anyone, so as not to give the game away.  Can you guess my reply?

Stay safe out there people!!

No! You can’t have a go on my Brompton!

I think I have been in this territory before but in the past couple of weeks a few people - please mentally prepare yourselves - have asked if they could have a go on my Brompton! Can you imagine!?

Believe me when I tell you that I sing the praises of all things Brompton pretty much whenever the needs arises. I do however draw the line somewhere! 

My first encounter was a middle aged gentleman on Mortlake High Street who told me he was toying with the idea of getting one. He hinted heavily that he would like a go to see if he liked it…on my bike. Needless to say he was left disappointed and possibly broken on several levels. 

The second was worse! This person was an existing Brompton user, on their own Brompton and spying I had my Orange Titanium with me. He was more obvious that my first encounter and asked outright whether he could ‘have a spin to see what the fuss is about?’ Needless to say, he was left disappointed! 

So, if you ever see me, please say hello (many of you in London do) but don’t ask if you can have a go on my Brompton…ever!!

Stay safe out there people!! 

I shouldn't have laughed…but I did!

A few years ago I remember seeing a Brompton rider with one of those very large air horns that you charged a plastic bottle with air from a track pump and when the button pressed, would emit an incredibly loud honk. This would not last indefinitely and would need frequent charging up with air - depending on how long and how many honks you took. 

I must state straight away that I do not approve in any way of what I am about to recount and I feel suitably ashamed on my reaction. Well, with that typed I had better tell you what I witnessed. 

I was cycling along Kennington Park Road with a few cyclists in front of me on the cycleway clearly marked in blue paint. Ahead I saw two people walking in the cycleway. The cyclist closest dinged his bell but they kept walking where they had been. The second, directly in front of me about 20 metres ahead sounded his equivalent of bell - the air horn. The noise of this made me jump but one of the poor people walking on the cycleway was even more startled and in an uncontrolled, involuntary movement raised their right hand in the air - containing a Costa Coffee cup - and proceeded to also do something that looked like 'Riverdance' with their feet. Some of the contents of the cup went over them and the person they were with as like Michael Flatley they shimmied to the pavement. 

I cycled past, already in hysterics and was forced to pull over when tears blinded my vision. I tried to speak to the cylist but nothing came out of my mouth and I had difficulty breathing. Thinking I had got over this, I cycled off again but had a fit of the giggles as 'Lord of the Dance' was replayed and had to pull over again. What onlookers must have thought I do not know.

I had a look on Amazon and saw that you can still get them for £25. Cheap at half the price but I fear I could never use one! 

Stay safe out there people!!