#BWC2014 Onboard 500m Sprint video

Onboard with BumbleB during the Brompton Sprint on the 27th July

With my reduced gearing (44T chainring) my overall top speed is lower at my maximum cadence so anyone with a bigger chain ring would have a higher top speed at the same cadence.

I can normally keep my cadence around the 100rpm mark for longer but going full out at 120 rpm is pushing my envelope. As you can see on the video I faded out about 50m from the finish line.

Damn good fun though 

The legend does the #BWC2014 TREBLE

As dawn broke on the 27th day of July 2014 we knew it was THE day. 

The day we have all been training for and had it our diaries for months. 

All the training was done. 

All the maintenance was done. 

Getting the cycling outfit perfect was done. 

All we could do was wait....

I had finished tinkering with BumbleB early in the afternoon and the legend was ready. I managed to get a good nap in the afternoon as I knew I wouldn't get much sleep the night before Brompton Cycling Festival.

Woke up bring and early as I normally do  and packed the car and we was off to Goodwood Motor Circuit, Chichester. The traffic seem quiet light and I was grateful as I wanted to get there in plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere as I had missed it so much.

We registered and I happened to just miss out on "007" by 1 as my rider number was "006"

006 licensed to "Buzz"

I spotted  that Mark W had recently arrived. First thing I wanted to do after registering was to get a photo for the front of the Goodwood Motor Circuit. So off we went into the site to see what was on show. I also remembered to pick up a few items I had ordered and wanted to make sure they fitted so if needed I could swap. Now heavy with goodies me and Mark W headed back to our cars to offload everything and spotted Mr.Orange heading in. Looking very happy to be back at Goodwood Motor Circuit.

BumbleB & Green Machine

As I wondered around I had lots of people coming up to me saying they have read this silly little blog and enjoyed all the adventures me & the legend have been on. It still surprises me that people read my ramblings and people from all over the world come to this event which I think is totally awesome.

It just goes to show you the "Power of the FOLD!"

First on the timetable was the Brompton Sprint.
12 Riders 500 meters away from the finishing straight with Bromptons in the "parked" position. Then riders stand about 10meters away for a "running start".

Mr.O, Mark W & Me heading to the Sprint start

Sizing up the competition

Laurence G "GameFace"

I've never done this before so was abit nervous. We would set of in groups of 12 so I didnt step up til  I had see a few groups set off to see how it was done. It looked pretty easy but then again, actually doing it is another thing completely.

Waiting for our turn at the Brompton Sprint

When the horn went off and I ran as fast as I dared cause I realised at the moment I had never actually ran with my cycling shoes. Grabbed BBB by the saddle rolling him just to make sure I didn't slow my momentum down step onto the left pedal but NOT clipping in, got my right leg over the top bar, clipped right first then the left and pedalled like crazy when I was clipped in fully. It was pretty intense and I knew I had a pretty good cadence but not the stamina. After about 300m I could feel myself flagging abit as I couldn't keep the pace up. 

Update: Thinking back on it seeing I was on a 44T chainring my cadence had topped out at around 120rpm, with. 50T chainring my speed would have been faster at the same cadence. So I think I did pretty well on a 44T 

Next time I will do a warm up lap as I didn't do anything to warm up this time.

Thanks to Penny G for taking the photos during the Sprint

Getting pipped at the line

Brompton Sprint Medal

Now after the Sprint was the 26km (14miles) Brompton Meander around Sussex country side. First of was 1 complete circuit of the Goodwood Motor Circuit and then out of the main gate onto the country roads. We had plenty of time to get around the course and there where plenty of marshals along the way cheering and pointing us in the right direction.

Starting the Brompton Meander

#selfie time

Just before the first pitstop there was a huge long hill which even with my reduced gearing spanked me hard. I did stop a couple of times as I wasn't focusing on my breathing to well. Note to self to do more training on my breathing.

1st Pitstop

I thought the meander was going to be longer for some reason and brought my hydro pack full of water. If I'd known it wasn't going to be long and also have 2 pitstops I would have just taken my normal water bottle and left my mini O bag as we had full motorbike support and ambulance crews near by.

I have to say I did like the scotch egg, which was no supermarket job that's for sure. I also sampled some crackers with cheese which may have sparked off a slight headache but could have been cause I wasn't drinking enough fluids but after having a few big mouth fulls of water it quickly passed. After leaving the first pit-stop it was ofcourse time for the down hill. I ALWAYS love this part and it didn't disappoint me.

Actually there was a disappointment as I was speeding down the hill and cars where actually slowing me down LOL I checked my data on this part and I topped out at 44.5mph which is now my highest speed ever ;)

2nd Pit stop

Didn't stay long at the 2nd pit-stop and almost forgot to take a photo, another nice choice of munches to keep a Bromptoneer going.

Finally coming back to Goodwood Motor Circuit I was greeted by Bob H one of our LBC members handing out me second medal of the day.

Brompton Meander Medal

With the Meander done there was a few hrs to wonder around and as always I get stopped often and people asking for photos of them with the legend. One lady I think was French or Spanish seemed very excited to finally meet the legend and with me not being able to speak a different language and her English not so good but we muddled though and she ofcourse for a few snaps together with the legend.

Now it was starting to get even more busy and the main event was next to come, the Brompton world Championships. Soon there was Bromptons everywhere in every different colour, every where you looked you saw something different. What I love about Brompton bicycles is that EVERY bike is the same but then people put there own personal spin on it to make it truly there own, basically an extension of themselves & personality.

Pink everywhere

 

Then it was time for the main event itself. Being rider number 006 meant I had a good run though folded Bromptons before I even got to BumbleB.

I forgot to take BBB's water bottle off as I had been drinking alot to stop myself from dehydrating also figuring about the weather but I didn't hear anything about not wearing the jackets like last year as the weather was alot hotter then. I knew I could leave the bottle at my start pin and retrieve it later. 

The legend is ready

A fellow Bromptoneer helping me with a selfie

At this point I was starting to really get nervous. I was nervous that I wouldn't be faster than last yr, had all the training, sweat blood and tears been for nothing.

This was the moment of truth

The moment the legend will rise or fall....

We waited.....

Our focus narrowed to the task at hand.....

I heard the horn go and I wasn't running or walking towards BBB. I was almost floating in some way. I felt very charm even though I was unfolding BBB, rolling off the grass where I would clip in and cycling intensely for the next 30-40 mins.

Off out onto the track I felt I was going into reverse as lots of riders seemed to be passing me by without any effort. But my mistake last time was to try and chase them down and waste energy. Over the past year I realised that I have to pace myself and even though somewhere serious riders not all of them will be gone in the distance I will slowly but surely catch up to them and even past them.

All the videos and techniques on "drafting" came to mind and I was on the hunt for someone of same kind of pace esp when there was a headwind hitting me I could hide behind them getting alittle rest. I have to say I never really though this stuff worked but having used it properly it actually does.

After the 2 laps heard someone coming beside me, saying he would take the lead for awhile, hell someone had been drafting me alittle but decided we was of the same pace and would help each other out. Our own little 2 man cycling peloton, I have to say it actually made the race easier and I felt my average speed being higher than BWC2013.

I just focused on my breathing and cadence, when I felt a little flagged my new peloton buddy would take the lead for awhile and when he flagged abit I would take over. When Travis B (later found out) took over I would focus on his rear wheel so hard nothing else existed. I swear ALOT of the time I was less than 3inches from his rear tire most of the time.

I set up my garmin to show me the my last lap time & my average speed so I could work out if I was atleast keeping the pace. To my surprise when comparing the data I was actually shaving seconds off each lap and my avg speed was WELL into the teens (17.1mph to be exact)

We came around the final corner and Travis B came along side me again and we shook hands down the back straight and he asked " shall we cross the line together?" I said yes but then I said to Travis B

"Well this is a race isn't it, Lets do it?"

He agreed and we went full out on the last 150meters or so. Don't ask me where the hell I got this sudden power injection from it just happened and next thing I know I'm pedalling like the devil was on my butt trying poke me with a fork. According to my data this is where I did my Max speed for the ride at 27.9mph

Our Results:

Brompton Sprint 500m Heat
Finishing Time: 00:00:53
Overall: 41 / 81
Gender: 43 / 69
Avg Speed: 11.5mph*
Max Speed: 26.4mph*

Brompton Meander 2014
Distance: 13.78mi *
Time 1:02:31*
Avg Speed: 13.2mph*
Max Speed: 44.5mph*

Brompton World Championships 2014 (4x 3.8km / 2.4mi)
Finishing Time: 00:32:54 (My Garmin data & Brompton Timing same)

Unfold: 00:01:14
Lap 1: 00:08:18
Lap 2: 00:08:18
Lap 3: 00:08:11
Lap 4: 00:08:05

Overall 309 / 521
Gender: 259 / 390

Avg Speed: 17.1mph*
Max Speed: 27.9mph*
*data from my Garmin Edge 800

With having to change the Brompton Festival to a 1 day event Brompton very kindly offered everyone a voucher of £20 to be spent on the day, which I spent on a nice pair of Brompton socks & a china mug.

I'd like to thank Brompton Bicycles, Goodwood Motor Circuit & everyone that attended an awesome day of pure Bromptoneering.

I hope to see you all next year cause I sure will be there and even faster than ever, trust me is going to be.....LEGENDARY!!! :)

Well earned metals

#BWC2014 We're so excited, we just can't hide it!

This weekend it is the biggest event on our calendar, the Brompton World Championships 2014 @ Goodwood Motor Circuit.

We have entered "The Triple" 

Brompton Sprint: 500m, heats & finals
Brompton Meander: 26km / 16 miles
Brompton World Championships: 4x 3.8kms / 2.4mi (15.2kms / 9.6mi)

Goodwood Motor Circuit

Have a quick read of 2013 event with photos and even a video of the ride itself in the link at the end of this post.

I always get very excited afew days before as it is the biggest event on the legend's calendar. As always we shall be suited & booted and will be very glad to meet our fellow Bromptoneers from all over the world and see and hear about latest upgrades & rides around the world. As always Brompton have never disappointed when organizing any event they are involved with.

BWC2013

Will Butler-Adams meets the Legend @ BWC2013

Over the next few days I shall be doing some serious maintenance session to get BBB ready for Sunday, mainly cleaning. Also got 1 last item to get for my outfit. Also making sure every gadget I have as well as myself is FULLY charged and ready to go ;)

So please if you are coming to Goodwood Motor Racing track on the 27th July, please say hi to us, I don't think you will have any trouble in finding us ;)

Blog Post: Brompton World Championships 2013

YouTube Video: OnBoard Brompton BumbleB BWC 2013

Legend gets a brand new bag ;)

Back in early in June, on my travels though the Brompton facebook groups I spotted something that perked my interest.

It was a design based on Brompton's Folding Basket but instead the material of the basket was red with white spots. It looked pretty cool and ofcourse I thought of something for the Legend. Sometimes I have big oversized loads and wanted to make sure I could transport it safely and this looked pretty good for those rare occasions.

I made a passing comment about would love one but in BumbleB's famous black & yellow stripes.

Not long after I made this comment I was contacted by Valeria Lopes who made the custom folding basket and asked if she could find something suitable if I would be interested in one.

It took me all of 1 billionth of a second to say ofcourse we would be interested so long that the design was right.

A few days later I got a fb mail with a photo attached.

I nearly fell over.....

I thought DAMN its perfect for BBB and was a pretty good early birthday present for my little folding buddy.

So we waited..........while I waited I had to purchase "Brompton Bag Frame For C,T,Folding Basket" which you should be able to get at your local Brompton stockist.


I swear time dragged on, I was tracking the package online and swear the courier was leaving my package till the last possible moment. I had to actually stop tracking as it seemed that took forever to get here to the HiVE.

I came home to the HiVE after work and there was a small package waiting for me, I don't know why but I expected it to be big like the framed basket. *duh*

When I opened up the package I was even more surprised and delighted what I found. So I wasted no time in installing the frame and brace.

24 litres capacity

Folded Basket

From what I can tell the capacity is the same as the original Brompton Folded Basket and appears to be made from hard wearing materials.

Also there are little side pockets as well which can be very handy as well.

The basket uses the same frame & brace as the Brompton Basket and is simple to install and using very good velco straps to keep it all attached to the Brompton Basket frame and brace on the inside.

So I  just had to pop out to get some shopping done to see how it felt to use in person. :D

 As you can see it takes quiet a good load.

I'm very happy with my bag as it compliments BBB's legendary style ;)

Made by the awesome Valeria Lopes who is on facebook (fb mail her for prices & requests) & a few Brompton related facebook groups or email her valeriabclopes@hotmail.com.

Contact her and you can discuss all types of different designs patterns. Welcomes feedback and improvements.

peace
BBB

A close shave. TWICE

So this morning like normal I'm heading to work. I stop at a big set of traffic lights and wait. While waiting I saw a woman driver on her iPhone & teenager next to her on theirs. I made a mental note to watch her positioning and let her go ahead of me when the lights changed.

She went ahead at the junction and into the distance. Now after the junction starts a cycle lane going all the way to Hackney. 

I'm coming along at a decent speed and spot the same driver up ahead. My B senses are tingling a little so I cover my brakes just in case as there is a side road coming up. Just after the side street is the entrance to KFC. She turns into the KFC just as I'm under taking in the cycle lane with NO indicators STILL on her iPhone. 

I shout out, no I SCREAM out loud at her and put my body against the car and push BBB away from going underneath the car while she is STILL turning into the KFC. I was banging on the car as hard as I could but she kept going for about a meter before she stopped. She only stopped when most of her car was in the entrance to KFC. 

I'm screaming at her asking her what the hell she was doing on her phone while driving the car. 

"It was an important call/message about a job "

This just made me even MORE angry at her and I let rip asking her

"Was your mobile more important than my life? You couldn't wait til you was parked in KFC to deal with it? And you got kids in your car with you?"

I checked myself & BBB but we was ok just really angry. You would this this was the end of it but oh no. 

About 1 mile down the road again just after a incline from a set of lights another car was ahead of me while I was using the shared bus/cycle lane and cause of the down hill section and was going at a fair speed when another car in front of me left turned on me without ANY indicators, just turned. 

I slammed on the brakes again and put my body up on the car and pushed BBB away again banging hard on the body of the car SCREAMING thinking " Shit something really wants me dead. That's twice in less than 10mins"

Again I'm SCREAMING at the guy driving asking him what the f does he think his doing without indicators. 

He then said " You was going pretty fast and never saw you"

"How did you know how fast I was going if you didn't see me? So you DID see me just didn't care and turned left in me. Yeah?"

I let rip once again as I was double angry. A few guys came out from the car wash place right at the turning looking to see what the noise was about but me & BBB was ok just crazy mad. 

I've been doing my commute for just shy of 5yrs now and NEVER been cut up like that before and now twice within 10mins?

Right I've calmed down and again we are OK. 

But anyone using the roads look before you turn pram, bicycle, car, van, bus, truck whatever flipping look before you turn left or right. 

#LondonNocturne & #NightriderLDN2014 on the same day

Once again my cycling partner, Mr Orange & I do the double header of the London Nocturne Folding Bike Race & Nightrider London.

We had been to the Nocturne Circuit in Smithfield's Market the week before to get a taste of the circuit on which we will be racing. Since upgrading BBB's chain ring for better hill climbing I was a little worried I wouldn't be as fast but on this tight circuit I didn't need to worry.

We did this last year and it was the first time I had done 2 events so closely together so I knew what to expect.

We met up with a good number of the LBC crew at a coffee shop just outside of the event, Mr.Orange was sporting a really nice orange waist coat & shorts. I have had the idea on getting a yellow waist coat since the heat of Brompton World Championships last year when it was abit of a heatwave and many rides didn't ride with jackets.

Well it was time to get registered and ready for our heats as they where the first events on the list

Waiting to register

Everyone to gathered together to get into the riders area in the market building itself. Preparing our B's, suits and putting on the riders numbers which was abit of a mission.

The legend is always ready

My heat was the first race of the day so. I had almost missed the call as there was alot going on but managed to quickly run to get on the grid. Even after I got there late there was still a few more riders after me running to catch up.

Riders waiting for the Union Jack

I did have my GoPro mounted and ready to record the race but because it was delayed it timed out and in the rush I didn't start it up again. May look into upgrading to something else in future maybe the Garmin's Virb as I can control it via my Garmin Edge.

Now in the race itself I was just focusing on my own race making sure I did better than last year which I felt I actually did, I pushed a hell of alot more and my body did what it was told. There is a slight incline after a short hairpin corner which last year I had problems with but this year I was up and out of the saddle pushing like hell and really giving it some welly which even surprised me. Clearly the new 44T chainring upgrade is agreeing with me greatly.

Out of 40 riders 31 actually completed I came 27th which I was pretty good as there was quiet a few VERY fast riders in both heats.

After my race I was offered a massage which I just couldn't say no to. I have to say my legs have never felt so good and where so relaxed after that it didn't feel like I did a race.

Oh baby

oh hello ;)

After my massage with my nice jelly legs I began to relax abit, I brought my number 1 fan with me & had to take a little snap of the little guy.

Loopwheels

Quite a number of the LBC member's got into the final but that wasn't for a  couple of hrs so most of us decided to go and get something to eat.

Salt Beef with radish, very yum

Mr. Orange & Mr Green (Mark L)?

John M & Ann M

After a damn fine lunch we went back to enjoy the rest of the racing.

Penny Farthing Racing

Classic bike racing

Classic Bike Racing

Seeing a Boris bike on rollers is a whole world of wrong. For one thing it takes 2 guys to make sure it doesn't come off as its a little longer as you can see from the photo below the front wheel almost coming off.

TdF Boris Bike on Rollers

TdF Yellow Boris Bike in action

Then it was time for the Folding bike race final that alot of the members of the LBC got in on. Seeing these guys is always great, seeing these little Bromptons flying around the track and the crowd just loving the action.

Some of the LBC Legends

Looking at my data compared from last year my Av speed was higher, from 15mph to 16.3

Nocturne 2013 Avg Speed: 15.0 mph
Nocturne 2014 Avg Speed: 16.3 mph

Nightrider 2014
Well while everyone else made their way home me and Mr.O had anther event to attend, the Nightrider.

We did the same thing last year and I knew could do it again without any problems. I got home and changed into my BBB cycling tops and got delayed looking for my cycling glasses. I found another pair I had which actually worked out a little better.

Getting to the start point was the first mission. For some reason I thought I was starting and Crystal Palace and started to head there but checked and turned back to Alexander Palace before I got too far. Once I hit Finsbury Park to get the overground train there was alot of confusion as to what was going on. Seems the trains where delayed and  changing destinations. Finally we got moving and arrived at Alexander Palace about 40mins late missing my start time.

One thing that Mr.O had noticed earlier when I posted my photo of me getting my riders pack was that he had the next number. I was 0931 & he was 0932 which was not planned at all it just happened like that.

After rushing though registration we got into the next staggered start time and we was off  at 00:25
I lost Mr.O at the start of the first big hill which is what I expected. I know that he loves the challenge of pushing himself esp on hills. I just made sure I did the hills my way which may have been slower but I kept pedalling in most cases. If anything I stopped a couple of times but not walk up which is now my mission.

Anytime I get to a hard hill and I feel that I can't make it I stop, get my breath back then carry on pedalling. With the new reduced gearing it made this a whole lot easier for me and has in turn made me a whole lot happier with my cycling. I now know the buzz Mr.O gets out of going up a hill especially without putting a foot down.

While cycling along I got into a few groups along the way and struck up conversations with everyone to past the time. Most of the time they where commenting on me doing it on a Brompton. This always makes me smile as people thing cause of the small wheels it wouldn't be up to the job. I'm slowly but surely changing the mind-sets of cyclists not knowing the  "Power of the FOLD!"

Didn't really take many photos on the first half of the ride as it was getting though Central London with busy traffic and clubbers as always. This is where the Brompton comes into its own, While everyone was holding back and threading their way though the heavy traffic me and BBB just fly though hardly stopping and manoeuvring easily and quickly.

Focusing on getting to Crystal Palace I knew I had gone past the half way point and would be heading back northwards and the home straight.

A tip that Bob H gave me is not to stay too long at check points, basically stop for  refuelling, fill water bottles and go. This way your muscles don't relax too much and you don't get cold either.

Finally got to Crystal Palace just before 03:00hrs

Crystal Palace half way point

Crystal Palace Half way point

Now with the sun starting to rise I started to really push harder as I knew I had broken the back of this ride and it was the home straight.

There was a few really nice down hills that I enjoyed but twice my water bottle shook itself loose form my bottle cage and fell off so I had to stop and grab it. Second time though the top came off the bottle and I had about 1 mouthful of water left inside. I started to worry abit as I have been purposely taking little mouthfuls of water on a  regular basis but then I remembered there where a few more check points coming up and just kept on pedalling.

 Thankfully a check point appeared not long ahead of me where once again I stocked up on water, snacks. Now the sunrise was pretty amazing at the check point near Tower bridge where I was reminded of a number of rides I have been on.

This kicked me off into a higher gear as I started to really push again. Sometimes I would kick myself into a short sprint once in awhile.

This year the route had changed and the check point in east London was down at in the Olympic Park Velodrome

Olympic Park, Velodrome

I was practically home turf so was enjoying the ride even more but then I knew I had one last MEGA hill to kill. The last hill is the one leading up to Alexander Palace which is a bad one. I attacked this hill with everything I had but with big hills I did my stop start routine  on it and I was really getting angry at it to be honest. I say sorry to anyone that was in ear shot of me while I was going up this hill was my language to myself would have made even a sailor blush and cover their ears.

Killing Alexander Hill

We made it. Finally finished the Nightrider London 2014

My prize?

Best bacon butty EVER

I had a little rest and enjoyed my bacon butty and tea. Repacked my Mini O bag and made the journey home. By all accounts my cycling partner finished just after 05:30 and I finished about 07:00

Glorious views from Alexander Palace

Big thanks to everyone that was supporting me and BBB on both of these rides and to Nocturne Series & Nightrider folks.

See you next year :D

Jupiter London Nocturne 2014 Ride Data

Nightrider London 2014 Ride Data