On my recent London to Southend overnight ride I took a little video footage. The main reason for doing this was to capture riding through the Rotherhithe Tunnel.
The link to the vide can be found below. It is not very long but hopefully gives an idea of what this ride was like.
As always watch it in the highest quality you can.
Link to Video
Wednesday, 9 July 2014
Monday, 7 July 2014
Farewell to an old friend...
This is going to be a hard blog post to write. Some of you by the end of it will not like it one bit. Some won't really care and some will understand exactly why I chosen to do what I have done.
Well, I suppose I had better come out with it. What have I done? I have sold my original Orange Brompton. There, I have written it. Many of you out there will undoubtedly be well aware I have stated on numerous occasions that this would NEVER happen. Until a few weeks ago, this was my stance too.
Before I explain why I feel a little background is needed to put this all into context. It was August 2010 when I decided that I was going to buy a Brompton. I actually placed the order in early September of the same year and the colour choice was not hard - it had to have lots of orange. (One day I might reveal why this colour is so important to me. It would be true to say that only my immediate family know why).
When I collected my Brompton about a month later (the wait seemed like an eternity) I was incredibly happy and it exceeded my expectations almost immediately. I used it on my commute, made excuses to pop out for a bottle of milk etc.., so that I could use my Brompton. At the weekend I would travel into central London to take photos of iconic locations, with my Brompton very much the main focus of all photographs!
Using it I became fitter and lost weight. I somehow stubbled across a tweet from a group called, 'Small Wheels Big Difference' who were going to do Lands End to John O'Groats on Brompton bikes. Although totally unprepared I went on one of their training runs and ended going on quite a few. This gave me a taste longer distances which I enjoyed immensely.
It was on one of the 'Small Wheels Big Difference' rides that I was to meet for the first time my partner in crime, Andrew. We later met up for a 'London Cycling Campaign' mass ride and have been friends ever since. Along the way I have also got to know lots of great people. There are far too many to mention but David, Anne, Mark, Geoff, Bob, John, Laurence, Andy, Guy, Mick and Jenny are a few of the hardcore I see regularly on rides.
I have been on night rides to the coast, competed at the Brompton World Championships, London Nocturne, charity rides and been on the Tweed Run. In addition I have simply met up in central London at a god forsaken hour to cycle around in the early hours, taking photos and generally have fun! By me purchasing a Brompton my life changed.
I did have a Raw Lacquer 2 x speed Brompton which was great, but not orange enough and therefore sold. Last year I also bought - perhaps with a rush of blood to the head - a Titanium Orange Brompton S6L which I use for racing or when I want to travel light (Summer use only). The constant has been my Orange M6L.
For several weeks I have been toying with the idea of getting another Brompton, one that would be for touring, long distances, night rides, commuting and where comfort was important. The black extremities I wanted changed to orange along with a few other tweaks here and there. If I had made these changes to my original bike, I may have well as bought a new Brompton....
I could have kept my original Brompton but I knew that it would have simply gathered dust. If I had a new one with the spec I now desired and my Titanium Orange Brompton for when I wanted to travel light, that it exactly what would have happened. There was talk of gifting it to my eldest daughter but she wouldn't have used it enough and prefers the S type bar anyway. It seemed that the decision, however difficult, was made for me.
By chance I responded to a social media post by a lovely Australian lady who had a friend in London wanting to buy a Brompton. Before I had too much time to deliberate, a meeting was arranged for Friday, 27th June at 20:00. The build up to Friday took ages and when I thought about what I was about to do I could't quite believe it.
As soon as the meeting was arrange I stopped using the bike - perhaps already trying to let it go. I cleaned it, put back on the original pedals and folded it. Friday came and before I knew it I was at the meeting location waiting for the prospective buyer. I got my bike out of the boot of the car, pumped up the tyres and went for a ride up and down the road. Was I doing the right thing? Could I let this Brompton go??
The lady arrived and I showed her my Brompton. If she had of said it wasn't for her etc.., I would have simply put it back in the boot and gone home. She went for a test ride and loved it. I knew that she was buying a great bike! It had been looked after extremely well. The lady in question told me about her plans for the bike and although it didn't perhaps matter, I knew that my beloved Brompton would go on to have many more adventures...but this time with someone else.
When I got back into the car I turned to Mrs Orange and asked, 'have I done the right thing?' Mrs Orange relied, 'you're excited about getting the new Orange Brompton, right?' The answer was....yes!!!
A Brompton is an inanimate object. I have seen cars come and go and I have not given them a second thought, despite the memories they hold. Brompton bikes are special in their own way and I have not been as sentimental over any possession the way I was with this bike!?
As I drove away my head was filled with memories of cycling up Ditchling Beacon in the pouring rain. Cycling in the middle of a British winter with snow burring my face to see the Christmas lights. Taking part in my first Brompton World Championships. Visiting the Brompton factory to see where my Brompton was made. Going along, under, over and on the river Thames. All wonderful memories of times on this bike...but MY memories. All the adventures I have had - many of which I never dreamed of doing a few years ago - are still very much with me. I don't need a bike to remind me of them...no matter how special.
My new Brompton will hopefully arrive in the not too distant future and I have already started to acquire some choice items for it. That excited feeling is there...one of childlike anticipation. I started this blog post by saying that some of you wouldn't like the fact that I had sold it, some would understand and some wouldn't care at all. All I can say is that for me it was the right decision and I cannot wait to get my hands on what for me will become my 'Orange Touring Brompton.'
The next few weeks will probably linger somewhat as I wait for my new prize. I will of course provide detailed specifications and lots of pictures when it does.
Well, I suppose I had better come out with it. What have I done? I have sold my original Orange Brompton. There, I have written it. Many of you out there will undoubtedly be well aware I have stated on numerous occasions that this would NEVER happen. Until a few weeks ago, this was my stance too.
Before I explain why I feel a little background is needed to put this all into context. It was August 2010 when I decided that I was going to buy a Brompton. I actually placed the order in early September of the same year and the colour choice was not hard - it had to have lots of orange. (One day I might reveal why this colour is so important to me. It would be true to say that only my immediate family know why).
When I collected my Brompton about a month later (the wait seemed like an eternity) I was incredibly happy and it exceeded my expectations almost immediately. I used it on my commute, made excuses to pop out for a bottle of milk etc.., so that I could use my Brompton. At the weekend I would travel into central London to take photos of iconic locations, with my Brompton very much the main focus of all photographs!
Using it I became fitter and lost weight. I somehow stubbled across a tweet from a group called, 'Small Wheels Big Difference' who were going to do Lands End to John O'Groats on Brompton bikes. Although totally unprepared I went on one of their training runs and ended going on quite a few. This gave me a taste longer distances which I enjoyed immensely.
It was on one of the 'Small Wheels Big Difference' rides that I was to meet for the first time my partner in crime, Andrew. We later met up for a 'London Cycling Campaign' mass ride and have been friends ever since. Along the way I have also got to know lots of great people. There are far too many to mention but David, Anne, Mark, Geoff, Bob, John, Laurence, Andy, Guy, Mick and Jenny are a few of the hardcore I see regularly on rides.
I have been on night rides to the coast, competed at the Brompton World Championships, London Nocturne, charity rides and been on the Tweed Run. In addition I have simply met up in central London at a god forsaken hour to cycle around in the early hours, taking photos and generally have fun! By me purchasing a Brompton my life changed.
I did have a Raw Lacquer 2 x speed Brompton which was great, but not orange enough and therefore sold. Last year I also bought - perhaps with a rush of blood to the head - a Titanium Orange Brompton S6L which I use for racing or when I want to travel light (Summer use only). The constant has been my Orange M6L.
For several weeks I have been toying with the idea of getting another Brompton, one that would be for touring, long distances, night rides, commuting and where comfort was important. The black extremities I wanted changed to orange along with a few other tweaks here and there. If I had made these changes to my original bike, I may have well as bought a new Brompton....
I could have kept my original Brompton but I knew that it would have simply gathered dust. If I had a new one with the spec I now desired and my Titanium Orange Brompton for when I wanted to travel light, that it exactly what would have happened. There was talk of gifting it to my eldest daughter but she wouldn't have used it enough and prefers the S type bar anyway. It seemed that the decision, however difficult, was made for me.
By chance I responded to a social media post by a lovely Australian lady who had a friend in London wanting to buy a Brompton. Before I had too much time to deliberate, a meeting was arranged for Friday, 27th June at 20:00. The build up to Friday took ages and when I thought about what I was about to do I could't quite believe it.
As soon as the meeting was arrange I stopped using the bike - perhaps already trying to let it go. I cleaned it, put back on the original pedals and folded it. Friday came and before I knew it I was at the meeting location waiting for the prospective buyer. I got my bike out of the boot of the car, pumped up the tyres and went for a ride up and down the road. Was I doing the right thing? Could I let this Brompton go??
The lady arrived and I showed her my Brompton. If she had of said it wasn't for her etc.., I would have simply put it back in the boot and gone home. She went for a test ride and loved it. I knew that she was buying a great bike! It had been looked after extremely well. The lady in question told me about her plans for the bike and although it didn't perhaps matter, I knew that my beloved Brompton would go on to have many more adventures...but this time with someone else.
When I got back into the car I turned to Mrs Orange and asked, 'have I done the right thing?' Mrs Orange relied, 'you're excited about getting the new Orange Brompton, right?' The answer was....yes!!!
A Brompton is an inanimate object. I have seen cars come and go and I have not given them a second thought, despite the memories they hold. Brompton bikes are special in their own way and I have not been as sentimental over any possession the way I was with this bike!?
As I drove away my head was filled with memories of cycling up Ditchling Beacon in the pouring rain. Cycling in the middle of a British winter with snow burring my face to see the Christmas lights. Taking part in my first Brompton World Championships. Visiting the Brompton factory to see where my Brompton was made. Going along, under, over and on the river Thames. All wonderful memories of times on this bike...but MY memories. All the adventures I have had - many of which I never dreamed of doing a few years ago - are still very much with me. I don't need a bike to remind me of them...no matter how special.
My new Brompton will hopefully arrive in the not too distant future and I have already started to acquire some choice items for it. That excited feeling is there...one of childlike anticipation. I started this blog post by saying that some of you wouldn't like the fact that I had sold it, some would understand and some wouldn't care at all. All I can say is that for me it was the right decision and I cannot wait to get my hands on what for me will become my 'Orange Touring Brompton.'
The next few weeks will probably linger somewhat as I wait for my new prize. I will of course provide detailed specifications and lots of pictures when it does.
Sunday, 6 July 2014
Humid London to Southend Overnighter
Work has been extremely busy of late which accounts for the near drought of blog posts - don't worry there is light at the end of the tunnel at least for a few weeks. I was therefore very much looking forward to another midnight ride to the coast, this one to Southend.
The ride to Southend is a fairly tame affair. Only 50 miles, not too many hills and some interesting scenery. I was looking forward to it all week and if anything, it was one of the things that kept me going.
The meeting point as always was Charring Cross where I met Geoff. As I stepped out of the front door it started to spit lightly with rain. Rather than cycle to Charing Cross I took the tube - something I rarely enjoy. While on the train a gentleman asked me whether my bike was comfortable. I informed him that I was in fact cycling from London to Southend and it was indeed comfortable. He viewed this with some suspicion and I am not sure he believed me.
Geoff arrived at our agreed meeting time and as we were't meeting anyone else we decided to head off to Hyde Park Corner straight away. Once there, apart from waiting for the other riders to assemble I sought out a German named Olaf in order to carry out a small transaction. Meeting near midnight at Hyde Park Corner, under the famous arch almost brought a touch of espionage to proceedings!
After the interactive and highly enjoyable safety talk, on the stoke of midnight we were off. With lights flashing and the sound of cleats clipping into pedals bikes and riders of all persuasions set off into the night. As always excitement was palpable, regardless of how many times this has been done.
As we passed the Houses of Parliament and St Stephens Tower it was not too long before central London was left behind.
It was a hot night. I had packed some budget waterproofs recently purchased and wanted to put them to the test but the weather was pretty good. Despite the early hints and forecast the rain held off.
As always we stopped to wait for slower riders, or those with mechanical problems. The team of Tail End Charlies did a sterling job at making sure everyone was kept safely on track and they did this hard job effortlessly.
The dreaded Rotherhithe Tunnel, not for the faint of heart came up sooner than I had anticipated. Opened in 1904 cycling along its 1.5km certainly concentrates the mind. Luckily it wasn't that busy and the pace through it was pretty quick. This is now the second time I have cycled through and I managed to capture a little video footage which I will try and get up at some point.
On rides like this in the early hours of a Saturday morning we are usually greeted enthusiastically let us say by those who have had a little too much of the old sauce. This time they were few and far between?
Sanctuary came in the form of Junction 31 of the services at Thurrock. We had the entire place to ourselves and I tucked in to snacks I had brought with me. For a moment all turned rather surreal. I was cycling on a Brompton in the early hour of the morning on my way to Southend, sitting in the motorway services with Jerermy Kyle on the television!
Refreshed we set off at about 03:30 for the last push. Our excellent ride leader Simon, in order to slow the ride down a little (as we were making great time) gave us a talk on some buildings of note and strange goings on at various points. I found these of great interest but as some involved architects with Socialist leanings, gangsters and the late Princess Margaret I will understandably not go into too much detail. I was assured that these highly interesting recounts were true!
When the rain did come it wasn't too bad and actually served to cool me down. I was advised by Geoff that there was a pretty steep hill doing up named 'Bread and Cheese Hill.' It was about 1km long and approximately 7% gradient. Loving the challenge of a good hill I was in my element and loved it. After tackling plenty of hills over the past few weeks I was ready for this one and took its scalp pretty easily. We took refuge under bus shelters as someone further down the hill dealt with a puncture.
Just before we made the last push towards Southend we stopped briefly for a view of Hadleigh Castle. Build after 1215 it acted as a defence against a potential French invasion.
I took my Titanium Orange Brompton with me on this ride - more out of necessity than anything else. Without mudguards, even with Marathon tyres it felt agile. I suspect that it will work well for next weeks Dunwich Dynamo. (More on that later)!!
As we rolled into Southend, the view of the famous pier came into view. The tide looked very high to me and the water was fairly close to the path we cycled on.
With 'The Rode Restaurant' in full view we had reached the end of the ride. At just over 50 miles and with an average moving speed of 12.4 mph I was pretty happy that the body felt pretty good. Having received orders from Mrs Orange to try and get back as soon as possible, I did just that. Geoff kindly guided me to Southend Victoria railway station - I suspect he knew I would get lost otherwise - and we said our goodbyes until next time...until next week and the Dynamo!!
The ride to Southend is a fairly tame affair. Only 50 miles, not too many hills and some interesting scenery. I was looking forward to it all week and if anything, it was one of the things that kept me going.
The meeting point as always was Charring Cross where I met Geoff. As I stepped out of the front door it started to spit lightly with rain. Rather than cycle to Charing Cross I took the tube - something I rarely enjoy. While on the train a gentleman asked me whether my bike was comfortable. I informed him that I was in fact cycling from London to Southend and it was indeed comfortable. He viewed this with some suspicion and I am not sure he believed me.
Geoff arrived at our agreed meeting time and as we were't meeting anyone else we decided to head off to Hyde Park Corner straight away. Once there, apart from waiting for the other riders to assemble I sought out a German named Olaf in order to carry out a small transaction. Meeting near midnight at Hyde Park Corner, under the famous arch almost brought a touch of espionage to proceedings!
 |
| Hyde Park Corner |
 |
| The riders start to assemble |
After the interactive and highly enjoyable safety talk, on the stoke of midnight we were off. With lights flashing and the sound of cleats clipping into pedals bikes and riders of all persuasions set off into the night. As always excitement was palpable, regardless of how many times this has been done.
As we passed the Houses of Parliament and St Stephens Tower it was not too long before central London was left behind.
It was a hot night. I had packed some budget waterproofs recently purchased and wanted to put them to the test but the weather was pretty good. Despite the early hints and forecast the rain held off.
As always we stopped to wait for slower riders, or those with mechanical problems. The team of Tail End Charlies did a sterling job at making sure everyone was kept safely on track and they did this hard job effortlessly.
The dreaded Rotherhithe Tunnel, not for the faint of heart came up sooner than I had anticipated. Opened in 1904 cycling along its 1.5km certainly concentrates the mind. Luckily it wasn't that busy and the pace through it was pretty quick. This is now the second time I have cycled through and I managed to capture a little video footage which I will try and get up at some point.
On rides like this in the early hours of a Saturday morning we are usually greeted enthusiastically let us say by those who have had a little too much of the old sauce. This time they were few and far between?
Sanctuary came in the form of Junction 31 of the services at Thurrock. We had the entire place to ourselves and I tucked in to snacks I had brought with me. For a moment all turned rather surreal. I was cycling on a Brompton in the early hour of the morning on my way to Southend, sitting in the motorway services with Jerermy Kyle on the television!
 |
| Jeremy Kyle |
Refreshed we set off at about 03:30 for the last push. Our excellent ride leader Simon, in order to slow the ride down a little (as we were making great time) gave us a talk on some buildings of note and strange goings on at various points. I found these of great interest but as some involved architects with Socialist leanings, gangsters and the late Princess Margaret I will understandably not go into too much detail. I was assured that these highly interesting recounts were true!
 |
| A Norman Church |
 |
| A building with socialist leanings |
 |
| Something to do with the late Princess Margaret?! |
When the rain did come it wasn't too bad and actually served to cool me down. I was advised by Geoff that there was a pretty steep hill doing up named 'Bread and Cheese Hill.' It was about 1km long and approximately 7% gradient. Loving the challenge of a good hill I was in my element and loved it. After tackling plenty of hills over the past few weeks I was ready for this one and took its scalp pretty easily. We took refuge under bus shelters as someone further down the hill dealt with a puncture.
Just before we made the last push towards Southend we stopped briefly for a view of Hadleigh Castle. Build after 1215 it acted as a defence against a potential French invasion.
 |
| Hadleigh Castle in the distance |
I took my Titanium Orange Brompton with me on this ride - more out of necessity than anything else. Without mudguards, even with Marathon tyres it felt agile. I suspect that it will work well for next weeks Dunwich Dynamo. (More on that later)!!
 |
| Taking in the views |
As we rolled into Southend, the view of the famous pier came into view. The tide looked very high to me and the water was fairly close to the path we cycled on.
With 'The Rode Restaurant' in full view we had reached the end of the ride. At just over 50 miles and with an average moving speed of 12.4 mph I was pretty happy that the body felt pretty good. Having received orders from Mrs Orange to try and get back as soon as possible, I did just that. Geoff kindly guided me to Southend Victoria railway station - I suspect he knew I would get lost otherwise - and we said our goodbyes until next time...until next week and the Dynamo!!
I managed to get back to Liverpool Street Station before 08:20 and home before 09:45 - so Mrs Orange and the Orangettes were pleased. This was another great ride and I really enjoyed it. Again, I find myself almost addicted to these night adventures. Simon, the leader put on another faultless ride and his team of Tail End Charlies were excellent. It was also good riding with Geoff who was great company and will be for next weeks big ride - which by the amount of times I have mentioned indicates it is already very much in my thoughts.
The map and ride data can be viewed by clicking on the link below:
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