Watch in the highest quality you dare. (Shot in 4K so you can get it in this depending on your browser).
Monday, 6 January 2020
Brompton New Year's Day Video
A short video that hopefully captures the essence of our recent New Year's Day ride.
Watch in the highest quality you dare. (Shot in 4K so you can get it in this depending on your browser).
Watch in the highest quality you dare. (Shot in 4K so you can get it in this depending on your browser).
Friday, 3 January 2020
Nostalgic Brompton New Year's Day Ride
New Year's Day was to proved to be a rather nostalgic one as far as riding my Brompton was concerned. A club ride had been set and there were even two meet locations - King's Cross and Richmond.
Always an early riser I decided to get up and cycle the 16+ miles to King's Cross to meet Jenny and a few others there for 10:00. The plan was for us to then cycle to Richmond Station where we would meet the larger group at noon.
Our route to Richmond was lovely, taking us through central London getting busy for the Lord Mayor's Parade later that day.
Our pace was sedate and conversational and I caught up with lots of cycling gossip from Jenny. After over 13+ miles we rolled into the familiar territory of Richmond.
The meeting point was the Costa Coffee near the station. I cannot tell you how many Brompton adventures and friendships have been made at this location. Instantly my mind was cast back to early Saturday mornings when we used to head off to all sorts. Lots of us headed inside for a hot drink and and snack while waiting for other participants to arrive.
There were so many old faces, Brian who loves on a canal boat with his cat Fabby, who in the past has been on all sorts of adventures, some where his rear wheel was basically falling apart. The always stylish Zoom Zoom who I was very pleased to see again. The gentleman that is Andy, who I last saw when finishing the Evans Cycles West London Sportive last year. Chris and her new arrival in the form of Daisy who was riding on a seat propelled by her dad Jack. Of course there was also Anne and David who I always love seeing.
Out route was 16 miles and took us out from Richmond along the River Thames past Twickenham, Kingston upon Thames, Hampton Court, Bushy Park, Teddington and back to Richmond.
Naturally, every so often photos had to be taken - which is what Brompton people do. In fact most of us look for a lovely location, place our bikes in front and take a picture - with the Brompton taking centre stage!!
As I cycled memories occasionally popped into my mind of various locations, adding to the nostalgic nature of this ride.
One such memory was when we arrived at Bushy Park. I recall us using the pedestrian gate at almost midnight on our return from an evening adventure from Kew Gardens to Box Hill and back. I made a mental note to do that again when the whether gets better.
Bushy Park was one of our stops and again a few of us bought a drink and snack. I decided upon tea and a Bakewell slice and I have to report they were wonderful!
We arrived at the familiar Richmond Park. We formed a natural little peloton and it was a magnificent sight as we purposefully rode through, still chatting and still smiling.
At Richmond Station we said our goodbyes and made plans for future rides. Thanks to Jenny and David for leading their parts of the ride. It really was a lovely way to start the New Year. Thank you to them and everyone else who attended.
I decided to cycle home from Richmond - another 13+ miles - letting my Wahoo do its magic of guiding me along an interesting but quiet route. I made it home in pretty good time. In all, I clocked up 59 miles. If I had of know it was so close to 60 miles I might have stayed out a little until I had reached it. Still, it's a good start to my 2020 tally.
Always an early riser I decided to get up and cycle the 16+ miles to King's Cross to meet Jenny and a few others there for 10:00. The plan was for us to then cycle to Richmond Station where we would meet the larger group at noon.
 |
| King's Cross |
Our route to Richmond was lovely, taking us through central London getting busy for the Lord Mayor's Parade later that day.
Our pace was sedate and conversational and I caught up with lots of cycling gossip from Jenny. After over 13+ miles we rolled into the familiar territory of Richmond.
 |
| Jenny leading the way |
The meeting point was the Costa Coffee near the station. I cannot tell you how many Brompton adventures and friendships have been made at this location. Instantly my mind was cast back to early Saturday mornings when we used to head off to all sorts. Lots of us headed inside for a hot drink and and snack while waiting for other participants to arrive.
There were so many old faces, Brian who loves on a canal boat with his cat Fabby, who in the past has been on all sorts of adventures, some where his rear wheel was basically falling apart. The always stylish Zoom Zoom who I was very pleased to see again. The gentleman that is Andy, who I last saw when finishing the Evans Cycles West London Sportive last year. Chris and her new arrival in the form of Daisy who was riding on a seat propelled by her dad Jack. Of course there was also Anne and David who I always love seeing.
 |
| Memory Lane! |
 |
| Chris showing she still has it |
Out route was 16 miles and took us out from Richmond along the River Thames past Twickenham, Kingston upon Thames, Hampton Court, Bushy Park, Teddington and back to Richmond.
Naturally, every so often photos had to be taken - which is what Brompton people do. In fact most of us look for a lovely location, place our bikes in front and take a picture - with the Brompton taking centre stage!!
 |
| Photo call - one of many |
As I cycled memories occasionally popped into my mind of various locations, adding to the nostalgic nature of this ride.
 |
| Hampton Court |
 |
| Bushey Park |
 |
| Fenton!!! |
One such memory was when we arrived at Bushy Park. I recall us using the pedestrian gate at almost midnight on our return from an evening adventure from Kew Gardens to Box Hill and back. I made a mental note to do that again when the whether gets better.
Bushy Park was one of our stops and again a few of us bought a drink and snack. I decided upon tea and a Bakewell slice and I have to report they were wonderful!
We arrived at the familiar Richmond Park. We formed a natural little peloton and it was a magnificent sight as we purposefully rode through, still chatting and still smiling.
 |
| Nothing like a Brompton peloton! |
At Richmond Station we said our goodbyes and made plans for future rides. Thanks to Jenny and David for leading their parts of the ride. It really was a lovely way to start the New Year. Thank you to them and everyone else who attended.
I decided to cycle home from Richmond - another 13+ miles - letting my Wahoo do its magic of guiding me along an interesting but quiet route. I made it home in pretty good time. In all, I clocked up 59 miles. If I had of know it was so close to 60 miles I might have stayed out a little until I had reached it. Still, it's a good start to my 2020 tally.
Sunday, 8 December 2019
Brompton lights at Wembley Park
Last Wednesday was a very different Brompton adventure. It started off in the familiar territory of central London but its destination was of all places Wembley Park.
I was travelling in from north London with three choices of how to get to the meeting point outside the birdcage near Kings Cross Station: drive in, take the tube or cycle in. I opted to cycle the 15 miles or so as it would mean I could simply cycle back home from Wembley Park rather than cycle back into Kings Cross.
My route took me on the Grand Union Canal. The first few miles were quite eerie. It was dark and apart from the obvious wildlife I had the narrow towpath to myself. This was to change the closer I got to central London. At this point there were dozens of other cyclists and lots and lots of pedestrians - who walked along in total darkness. Rather them than me!
I think existed the canal towpath at the very familiar Ladbroke Grove and made my way to Kings Cross. I thought that I might be a little later than the 18:00 start so I fired off a text to ride leader Jenny (Mile Monster) to say that I would catch them up as I had the route. I need not have worried as everyone was there when I go there and we waited for Chris to arrive.
We set off and it was good to be back in a Brompton peloton. It was equally good catching up with Jenny and finding out about her recent Brompton adventures to Hong Kong.
Our firsts stop of note was the Hindhu temple at Neasden. This is a quite wonderful building and well worth a visit if you have the chance. It is a little of the Indian sub-continent in London and a stunner. After several photos of the actual temple as well as our Brompton bicycles we were off again towards Wembley Park.
I cannot think when I last visited Wembley Park. Deliberating over this I concluded that it was probably for the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at the old Wembley Stadium in 1992! As we rolled in the new stadium was partially lit up and we saw the first of the light installations.
There were a few of them doted around but for me the highlight was a light tunnel that had music pumping out with the lights sequencing with the temp of the music.
With a few photos taken I decided to make my way back home which would be about 8-9 miles away. Roughly two minutes from setting off I saw a bottle laid horizontally on the top of one of three bollards, on fire. Yes you read correctly, on fire! I cycled as quickly as I could past it and about 40 seconds later I heard a loud bang.
The rest of my ride home was thankfully uneventful apart from the cold. My hands and feet were frozen and I was glad to roll up to the sanctuary of home. The light installations were quite good but the company of Brompton peeps better. As I wrote, the last time I went to Wembley Park was 27 years ago and I think that's the way I'd like to keep things. Hopefully the Canary Wharf Lights will return in early 2020 so I will be able to get another light installation fix then.
Many thanks to Jenny for putting on the ride.
I was travelling in from north London with three choices of how to get to the meeting point outside the birdcage near Kings Cross Station: drive in, take the tube or cycle in. I opted to cycle the 15 miles or so as it would mean I could simply cycle back home from Wembley Park rather than cycle back into Kings Cross.
My route took me on the Grand Union Canal. The first few miles were quite eerie. It was dark and apart from the obvious wildlife I had the narrow towpath to myself. This was to change the closer I got to central London. At this point there were dozens of other cyclists and lots and lots of pedestrians - who walked along in total darkness. Rather them than me!
I think existed the canal towpath at the very familiar Ladbroke Grove and made my way to Kings Cross. I thought that I might be a little later than the 18:00 start so I fired off a text to ride leader Jenny (Mile Monster) to say that I would catch them up as I had the route. I need not have worried as everyone was there when I go there and we waited for Chris to arrive.
We set off and it was good to be back in a Brompton peloton. It was equally good catching up with Jenny and finding out about her recent Brompton adventures to Hong Kong.
Our firsts stop of note was the Hindhu temple at Neasden. This is a quite wonderful building and well worth a visit if you have the chance. It is a little of the Indian sub-continent in London and a stunner. After several photos of the actual temple as well as our Brompton bicycles we were off again towards Wembley Park.
I cannot think when I last visited Wembley Park. Deliberating over this I concluded that it was probably for the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at the old Wembley Stadium in 1992! As we rolled in the new stadium was partially lit up and we saw the first of the light installations.
There were a few of them doted around but for me the highlight was a light tunnel that had music pumping out with the lights sequencing with the temp of the music.
 |
| The famous Gwyn! |
With a few photos taken I decided to make my way back home which would be about 8-9 miles away. Roughly two minutes from setting off I saw a bottle laid horizontally on the top of one of three bollards, on fire. Yes you read correctly, on fire! I cycled as quickly as I could past it and about 40 seconds later I heard a loud bang.
The rest of my ride home was thankfully uneventful apart from the cold. My hands and feet were frozen and I was glad to roll up to the sanctuary of home. The light installations were quite good but the company of Brompton peeps better. As I wrote, the last time I went to Wembley Park was 27 years ago and I think that's the way I'd like to keep things. Hopefully the Canary Wharf Lights will return in early 2020 so I will be able to get another light installation fix then.
Many thanks to Jenny for putting on the ride.
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