Sunday 22 March 2015

Taking on the hills of North London

We have been looking forward to this day as this will be the first ride that BumbleB will be in full working order 100% legendary after his wheel failure at the last ride.

As always a fueled up with porridge with a little bit of nuttela and even half a banana then just riding to the station to the meeting point at the London Eye.

The Legend returns
Met up with the rest of the LBC gang and I have to say it was a great feeling to be back and in full force.

After a short briefing from David we set off for the hills of North London.


As always heading though London with our Brompton peloton is an awesome sight.


John looking serious for the hills.
Our first major hill was Swains Lane.


Swains Lane 134M
Length: 1.2km
Maximum Gradient 18%
Height Gain: 87m

I took my time with this one as its my first ever ride up it.

At first its not to bad, I could focus on my cadence and breathing. From what I understand the gradient starts around 12% for most of it but then the last third of the climb the gradient increases to 18% which is pretty damn tough and I have to say I had to get off and walk at this point. Not too bad for my first go up this famous cycling hill climb.


BBB enjoying being outside
Next up was the climb leading up to Alexander Palace Way. I've been up this hill a few times before but this time we came up the opposite side to what I have done before  as it didn't feel as extreme.

Ally Pally
That was the last of the hills, now it was time to head back south to the Olympic Park. This is a route is familiar with as we went along The Regents Canal.

Near Tottenham Hale




As we entered the Olympic Park we stopped off at a nice lunch spot Timber Lodge Cafe. Boy I really needed it as I was feeling pretty hungry. I had a egg roll thing where I wish I hadn't. I've eaten here before and the food as been pretty decent but this time the bread was tough and the Cheese cake was even worse.

This is where I said my goodbyes to the rest of the LBC gang as they where heading back to the London Eye, but I was pretty close to home and was starting to feel abit cold.

I was hanging around outside the Velodrome when I heard someone calling out BumbleB. I wasn't exactly sure who it was til I turned and saw the iBikeLDN gang coming into view. I had almost forgot there was a ride today, Villains & Rascals Ride. Meeting up with a view of my friends, we went inside to check out the Velodrome itself. Was pretty cool inside and I have to say I need to go on the road track outside at some point for training.
Need to do a session on the road tack one of these days. #cycle #cycling #training #legends #bromptonlife
BBB @ theVelodrome

Princess Leia on a Brompton

A Princess & A Legend
A good return ride for the legend, even with the hills. I expected to be alittle more unfit but I think I did half decent on the hills. Just need to find some hills closer to home that I can practice on but we'll get there.

Garmin Ride Data: LBC Hills of North London

Until the next ride,
Bee safe....

Saturday 14 March 2015

Living without the Legend again

Since we had to abort the last LBC ride BBB hasn't been in good form. I've taken this opportunity get some serious maintenance & upgrades done.

His rear hinge was needing to be replaced as it's recommended to be changed every 2/3 yrs and seeing BBB does a lot of miles & my weight I figured seeing we would be waiting the new rear wheel to get it done. 

Taken BBB to my local Brompton shop, Londonfields Cycles, where I know my boy will be taken care of. Also at the same time they let me use a demonstrator Brompton.

Maybe awhile before the legend is back on the road but I'm really missing him quite badly. I've already noticed that the traffic treats me differently as it's almost as if they don't see me as well as the demo Brompton us a grey blah color.
P6R Demonstrator
This is the first time of using the P bars on the Brompton it was the only six speed they had. I'm not really comfortable with the bars as it really for me is only one hand position and that's on top. With BumbleB's M bars I  had a couple of hand positions with the Crane side grips.

PAD: 5th March 2015
New cycle path
This demonstrator Brompton also has an extended seat-post so sometimes it takes me awhile to get my perfect riding high with the standard seat post I just put it to maximum and it's perfect for me so I had that to niggle with as well. The demonstration Brompton came without lights so I had to attach my Hope Vision One to the P bars and also have to use the my emergency light on my helmet for the for the rear.  It also has a rack which tends to make a lot of noise it just needs tightening but I can see it being useful.

Time To Cycle 2015

With BBB being out of action I can honestly say I sure as hell didn't like it and seriously considering getting BBB a younger sibling.

Update: Got BBB back 

BBB awaiting new rear wheel

Monday 9 March 2015

Photos: Time To Cycle 2015


I attended the Time to Act March in London. Here are some of the photos I took of the day. Pity I couldn't bring BBB, he would have enjoyed it ;)
The earth is warming dangerously! Join us two months before the general election to lead the 'Time To Act' protest to Parliament and demand action on climate change with cycling put at the centre of transport policy.
Cyclists from all over the UK are joining us with ride-ins from Brighton, Oxford, Cambridge and feeder rides from around London. Time To Cycle is an inclusive event for cyclists of all ages and abilities. Help us make make a big impression at what is going to be the biggest climate change protest of 2015!

Pity I couldn't bring BBB he would have enjoyed this. Hell owls would be in full BBB mode for this one 🐝🐝🐝 #TimeToAct2015 #TimeToCycle #cycle #bromptonbicycle #bromptonlife




#Cyclist are starting to gather. #cycle #b#TimeToCycle #TimeToAct2015 #urban



Almost getting ready for the big push. #TimeToAct2015 #TimeToCycle #bromptonlife #urban #iPhone5C




Banging out some tunes


Some crazy cyclist around here


Sit down protest outside the Charing Cross Station. #TimeToAct2015 #TimeToCycle #space4cycling #cycling #cycle
Lay in outside Charing Cross Station


Being a part of something bigger. #TimeToAct2015 #TimeToCycle #cycling #Cyclist #urban








PAD: 7th March 2015






The Cycle Police

Sam being silly AGAIN :P


Speeches going on here now. #TimeToAct2015 #TimeToCycle #space4cycling #cycling #cycle #urban

Saturday 7 March 2015

The final lighting solution....?

Some more changes to my dynamo rear light. As I was having so much problems with the Toplight Lineview design of rear light I opted to get another version which did the same functions.

As you can see with the first dynamo light I had there is a button and a switch on there so you can turn the "standlight" mode off and a polarity switch I'm assuming so if you put the wires in the wrong way round you just flip the switch without having to take the wires out again.

B&M Toplight LineTec Brake Plus Rear Dynamo Light

Only reason why I tried to stick with the original design was that others in the London Brompton Club have had LineTec design for a long time and not have any problems at all.

Now I have the below dynamo light and from what we can tell its ALOT simpler design so I assume alot less things to go wrong.

B&M Toplight View Brake Plus
Busch & Muller Toplight View Brake Plus Rear Dynamo Light

I've had this light on for awhile now and been on some cobble roads for testing and its holding up no problems.

The new light seems to be of a much simpler design and component wise. It has no buttons or switches to play about with.

LineTec (above) & View (below &on)


View looks thinner than LineTec
After a few weeks now we're enjoying the new B&M Toplight View Brake Plus & feel much more confident with it.