Bromprix 2017

Today me and the legend attended the Bromprix 2017 at Cyclopark in Gravesend, Kent.This event was organised by a member of the London Brompton Club,  Steve Chopper.

It was a short trip on the train from my local station. I managed to find  Chun-Han Chan & hubby as we aimed to get the same train to Gravesend.

When the train did arrive we found a few other LBCer's heading to Bromprix 2017 and didn't even have to search the train, pretty much stepped onto the same carriage.

After a 20 minutes or so we arrived in Gravesend. I remembered being in Gravesend after a night ride a few years ago.

Jenny suggested heading to where the statue of Pocahontas. Never even knew this was here.

We heard that Chris B was in a nearby cafe called Promenade Cafe so we all headed over to get some food before heading to the Cyclopark.

I felt hungry as hell so we headed over there to have a quick snack before heading to the Cyclopark. I ordered up a awesome milkshake, Rhubarb crumble & Rum and raisin ice cream with ofcourse whipped cream.

Another thing I saw on the menu was pancakes, I thought I'd order up some thinking there where going to be something relatively small but BOY was I mistaken.

Even though I was warned by the staff at the cafe nothing could prepare me for what hit the table. I made a damned good attempt at them but DAMN it was all to much for me. Next time I should take heed of warnings.

It was then time to head off to the Cyclopark for the main event.

Steve Chooper, the event organizer had everything completely under control and gave us a brief outline of what was to happen. Also the first aides and track folks gave us a little talk about the Cyclopark itself and places to look out for.


Then it was time for a little practice lap around to see how the track felt and I have to say it is a very good track and just under 1 mile in length.

The weather was pretty much perfect for the day, nice sun with a little cloud so it wasn't to hot so we could easily wear our jackets for the race itself.

When we finally got to the racing I had a lighting brompton start, I couldn't believe it. with the Bromptons folded I had BBB unfolded and I was off down the track before anyone else. I was pretty much at the first corner which was some distance away before any one caught me and past me. I wasn't surprised at this as I'm pretty unfit and haven't done any proper rides or training for the last couple of yrs. After that I just took it easy and took in the views and chatted to a few who passed me.

After main race was over there was also a time trail which was fun to watch.

For attending the Bromprix 2017 everyone got a wonderful stitch badge of the occasion which I totally loved. This was actually designed by Steve Chooper himself and I think it looks awesome.

Just before we was heading back to Gravesend Station it started to rain quiet heavily at times but most of us waited til we thought it had finished and then made a mad dash to the station.

BIG HUGE thanks to Steve Chooper and all the folks at Cyclopark & Promenade Cafe in Gravesend

Cycling home I was greeted but a huge rainbow which I had to stop and take a picture off. This is the best one of the lot I took, can be pretty hard at times.

My cycle data of the Bromprix 2017

Water Bottle solution by Monkii

After the Rapha Nocturne 2017 event last weekend I was contacted by http://www.cyclemiles.co.uk/ who have been a fan of the legend for awhile.

They asked if I would do a review on their Monkii Clip and Monkii V Cage.

Monkii V Cages

From what I can tell it looks like the Monkii Clip has had a design update.

The clip itself is pretty simple design and even simpler to attach to the handle bar stem of your Brompton.

Monkii Clip

The clip has rubber pads to protect the paint work of the stem and allen key bolts to tighten so its very secure once installed. I would still put some tape protection on the stem anyway as you can never have too much protection on the paint work for the legend.

Now the actual cage itself that can hold different sizes of bottles cause of the velcro and rubber grip. When the bottle is in its pretty hard for it to fall out, so pretty damn secure.

Monkii Cage

Monkii Cage

I got to say I'm liking this Monkii system for holding the water bottle, its solid and I have yet to hear of the bottle popping out as I know a few of my cycling buddies also have this system.

monkii clip B – Brompton – For monkii cage, monkii mono, or monkii V wedge £17.95

monkii V cage bicycle bottle cage (Black, Bright Pink, White, Purple) £17.95

monkii cage bicycle bottle cage (Orange, Black, Pink, Pea Green, White) £17.95

Thanks to http://www.cyclemiles.co.uk/ for sending me the Monkii system for me to review, I also hear that they are very big fans of the legend. Well who isn't? :D


till the next ride, bee safe.....

Rapha London Nocturne 2017

Well today was the first event that me and the legend have attended for a VERY long time.

The legend was all prepped and ready to rock and roll. Thanks to the guys at Brompton Junction London for giving him a complete overhaul, fine tuning and race fit.

Fully prepped & ready to rock

We haven't attended the Nocturne for a couple of years so I was a little nervous if i was honest but once I was on my way there I felt a lot better and knew I would be seeing all my cycling friends again which i haven't for a long time.

Was going to try and meet up with my cycling partner in crime My Orange Brompton & Mark "King of the Hills" but with everything closed off and blocked it was going to be impossible for me to get there so I went straight to the registration desk and signed up.

As always the legend gets lots of attention, a few folks said they remembered us from the last time we attended, well we are kinda hard to miss, just saying.

Under wraps

After makign sure Bumble B was all tucked away and safe I went a wondering around with Orange and Mark to check out the riders area.

Rapha Stand

The guys looking abit serious starting to get their game faces on.

Mark "King of the Hills" & Orange Brompton

Slowly but surely the riders area started to fill up with more riders and bikes. Many hand shakes and hellos to everyone. Started to check out each others bike to see what improvement have been made and any secret additions. Its all hush hush of what they have done.

More Folding bike racers

Joe Browns machine

 When I checked out Joe Browns machine I thought "Damn his got a dinner plate for a chain ring on !"

60 or 63 Front chain ring

Some serious machines for the other bikes racing today with their turbos and rollers.

Warm up area

As we was walking around me and Orange Brompton got interviewed by a camera crew, abit embarrassing but got to get used to the attention we get when in full Brompton race mode. Will try and look out for the footage and post it here if it made it though editing that is. Notied the camera man taking a few very close up shots of Bumble B, so glad he got cleaned up and I re aligned his strips. Cant have the legend looking back on TV now can we.

Ready to turn and burn

It was time to get ready for the race, all the riders gathered together to get to the start grid. Lots of good lucks and safety talks, picked a number out of a hat which put me pretty close to the back which was fine by me, I didn't want to get in the way of the hardcore racers as I was in for the fun of it.

Short video of the start of the race and you can see what a great start I got. I was pretty surprised at how fast I managed it :D

Thanks to James Houston for filming and sending me this :D

Just as I was crossing the start/finish line when I started one rider went straight into the crash barrier and it looked pretty bad, I hope that rider was ok. I think there may have been about 2 crashed in my race but I hope the riders and bikes are ok and where able to ride on.

I have to say while we was racing there was a hell of a lot of encouragement from the crowd cheering all the riders but seemed that me and the legend got a lot more cheers at times. Even more so on the final straights as the crowd where banging on the advising boards and I actually physical feel the sound.

As always I heard, well more like felt my cycling buddies though out the race on different parts of the course cheering me and the legend on, they really do stand out as I know exactly who it is even though I probably got my head down focusing on the race.

The course I feel was more technical than any I had raced before. I noticed that on the corners I would catch up to people pretty fast just cause I took the racing line and didn't slow down on entry so then my exit was much faster. Being central London though there was some major head winds in places which was another thing to battle.

The race was 10 laps and I did about 8 laps before the race finished and riders where asked to slow down and return to the riders area. Not bad for me so I'm ok with that.

Took a little time to recover and then me, Orange and Mark headed out to where some of our LBC friends where hanging out. Found James, Alasdair, Chun-Han, Roger, Sam, Alex and Chris. Lots of hugs and hand shakes and chatted for a good while. Chun-Han had said to be before the start of the race that she had something for me. I had no idea what but I knew it would be something I'd love.

Awesome wooden Bee

Awww I was really touched by this gift, the power of the Bumble B is strong with everyone that knows us it seems and that hasn't changed at all. :)

Orange Brompton and Bumble B

It was a good day and enjoyed meeting everyone again. Thanks for all the encouragement, cheers and comments on BBB and my outfit.

Big thanks to Rapha

I've always enjoyed the Nocturne and training begins for next year....

till the next ride, bee safe.....