Brompton bikes, far too good for wet weather!

It has been said that the English are obsessed about the weather. Sit on any bus, train carriage or simply line up in a queue and the subject of the the weather - the universal ice-breaker here in England - will probably be the opening line for many. 

I have four weather apps on my iPhone that are consulted frequently, especially when there is a cycle ride on the cards, and I refer to them a few days beforehand to see what they say. My usual default position however is to stick my head out of the door moments before going outside to make my own judgement. 

Almost exclusively I use one of my two Brompton bicycles for pretty much all my cycling. I do own a couple of road bikes, one of which is a rather fine Condor, steel Fratello Disc. If raining or going to rain I take my Orange Black Special Edition. I just don't want to get my Orange Titanium dirty I suppose. If going out for a quick spin somewhere and I know the weather is going to be bad, I would opt to take one of my two road bikes instead. I suppose that I hold my Brompton bikes much higher up in the pecking order!

As I type this, outside the rain is hammering down here in London and I do need to nip out for a quick errand. I can assure you,  I won't be using one of my Brompton bicycles! How telling that I would be more likely to use my Condor instead!

What do you think? Are any of you out there the same as me?

Stay safe out there people!!

Far too good for wet weather!!

So, what is it about Brompton night rides that you like so much?

I don't really pay too much attention to how many pages views I get on this blog but when I did have a look the other day to see how things were going, the number of views per day, week and month were probably at their highest level for years and years. I think I have gained lots of new readers, perhaps with new Brompton bikes (welcome by the way and keep reading) and one question that I have been asked more times than any other are versions of the title to this blog post.

If you read by back catalogue as it were, you will find countless post for various night rides - mainly to the coast - and I suppose I must like them a great deal as I keep going on them. I have been here before but I will try to explain why.

A night ride is rarely a spur of the moment decision and usually planned a little  in advance. This build up and anticipation is something I actually enjoy too. Planning what to wear/take with you, charging the lights, making sure that the bike is match fit, all add up to making the day the ride is on different and special.  

Travelling to the start location can in itself be an adventure and cycling past people, you wonder whether they would believe you if you told them you are about to cycle 60 - 70 miles starting at midnight, to return to London the next day by train. 

I rarely tell people I am going on one of these rides but will do so if asked what plans I have for the weekend. Their face when I explain what I am going to do if often quite the picture. I suspect this is also part of their appeal. 

The actual ride itself rarely disappoints. Cycling in the city, then the outskirts and finally the countryside is special. Often you find yourself cycling on empty, narrow country lanes, illuminated by whatever your front lights can muster. 

If on a group ride you get to speak to old friends, acquaintances and people you have never met before. If you want to chat you can and if not you can enjoy your own thoughts, mulling things over, putting the world to rights or simply thinking about what you might have for breakfast? Often I go with my dear friend Dr John and the simple pleasures of a friends company is special in its own right. 

On these rides you experience the transition from darkness into dawn into sunrise. The dawn chorus sounds can be like a symphony with few equals. The sun rising and casting beautiful colours can be breathtaking and experiencing them without any other external interference - apart from the sound your bicycle makes - is a huge part as to why people do this sort of thing time and time again. 

I rarely stay for breakfast when I reach end of the ride, preferring to get back, but when I do even the simplest of food is transformed into that fit for he Gods. 

Yes, there is something addictive about these rides. They are not of course for everyone. Some people go on one to see what the fuss is about but do not return for a second. After my first I signed up for another and have been doing so ever since. 

Living in London I am only 55 - 75 miles away from some of the most famous seaside resorts and the whole notion of cycling from central London to the seaside is doable. Wherever you live you might want to give it a go. (It does not have to be to the coast. In fact some fo the best night rides have been near Christmas where participants have cycled around central London taking photos of the Christmas lights). 

Let me know if you have given a night ride a go, tell me what you thought and where you went. I would love to hear from you.

Stay safe out there people!!

A Maharajah's well, a statue, no Golden Arches and views! - the Reading to Oxford loop had it all.

After another busy week Friday was very much a day to look forward to as it meant a night ride, not to the coast but a loop from Reading to Oxford and back again to Reading.

It did feel rather strange to be setting off for a night ride when it was still light outside. Normally, I am always heading out when the sun has well and truly set.  

My train was the 22:22 from Paddington which would take only about 25 minutes. I set off in good time but forgetting a suitable face mask I had to turn back home to get one. This then meant a frantic dash to Paddington and at one point I thought I might have to take a later train. Thankfully I made it and saw Dr John and Jenny (The Mile Monster) on the station concourse.

We boarded our train and with only a few others we had the train more or less to ourselves. It was lovely to catch up.

Just after 23:00 we arrived at Reading and getting off the train there was a strong breeze that actually made me feel a little chilly.

There were a few participants waiting outside the station and Nick, a local to reading, took us on a little tour of Reading - more to help warm us all up. I am sure that with more time we would have seen a great deal more of what Reading had to offer but our tour was quite short consisting of an ancient wall from an Abbey, a river with lots of modern developments built along it and a church tower. 

After a safety talk and briefing by Bob the assembled riders - 5 of which were on Brompton bicycles - we were off. 

Getting out of Reading we travelled across a bridge that proved a draw for those of us wanting to take photographs and not long thereafter we seemed to leave the urban behind and all was countryside before us. 

Our pace was purposeful and it was great yet again to be riding through the night with a group. 

Our first stop of interest was The Maharajah's Well in the village of Stoke Row. Naturally, it had to be photographed!

Moved by the story of a small boy being beaten by his mother for drinking the last of the water in their house during a drought, The Maharajah of Benares agreed to fund the sinking of a well. It stands to this day and is recognised by the golden elephant that adorns it. 

Pressing on it didn't seem to take us too long to get to the less than dreaming spires of the outskirts of Oxford and before long we arrived at the more picturesque bits. We didn't stay too long in Oxford but did have enough time to take a few more photos of some of the touristy bits. 

'The Handle Bar' which is a little bit like 'Look Mum No Hands' here in London looked good and I recall going there on another one of Bob's rides a few years ago. 

At just after 04:00 in the am with reached the halfway stop at 24-hour drive through. Sadly, they did not open until a couple of hours later and wouldn't allow bicycles to use the drive through. 

An alternative was found not too far away in the form of a 24-hour service station. Here we stocked up on supplies and hot drinks. 

Almost immediately before setting off again I felt a chill so donned a boil in the bag jacket. This didn't stay on too long as a hill not long after we set off soon warmed me up again. 

Sunrise was at about 04:40 and the scenery was beautiful. Each turn of the pedals brought more and more views. Just when you thought it couldn't be bested, another came along to do just that. 

Long and empty country lanes, devoid of traffic stretched for miles and made the cycling that bit more enjoyable. There were a few hills on this ride but I think that all the practice recently going up Turners Hill and Ditchling Beacon on my London to Brighton ride with Dr John really helped. 

What was originally billed as aliens in a field turned out to be a piece of artwork by John Buckley (famed for his shark coming out of the roof of a house). 

The artwork titled 'The Nuba Survival' near a derelict barn is actually two skeletons embracing portraying the plight of the Nuba peoples of Sudan after he spent some time there. 

It is a strange location, made even more particular by no signs pointing to it or information nearby to say what it actually is. 

 

Arriving back at the bridge and later Reading station we had travelled just over 69 miles.  This was a great ride with great company and a wonderful route. Many thanks to Bob for leading and organising. 

Dr John and I decided not to stick around in Reading, instead heading for the first fast train back to London. At Paddington we cycled the short distance to Baker Street where we had a breakfast before heading off on our separate ways. 

A really lovely ride and after some sleep yesterday I feel pretty good today. Until next time, stay safe out there people!!