Saturday 30 May 2015

LBC Ride: 40 in 40's - A Tweed Themed Ride

Today was the day of another great ride with the London Brompton Club clan.
"Tweed themed easy ride celebrating a number of members 40th birthdays this year- culminates in a Sausagefest after at Steins, Richmond, with (probably) 40 sausages.......And cake !"
Well the magic word was mentioned, CAKE !

I don't have much tweed, ok tell a lie I have NONE at all but this wasn't a prerequisite to attend the ride. But I thought I'd push the boat out a bit clothing wise. Yes dear readers I broke out the ironing board & iron. Hell I didn't even know I had one. You know things are deadly serious when I do something like that, I was actually scared. Well I didn't burn the house down or burn my shirt.

I also had my yellow vest that I had been saving since the last Brompton World Championships when riders had the option of not riding with jackets due to the hot weather.

Upon leaving the HiVE, I could see it was going to be a great day for cycling with my fellow Bromptoneers and I did catch my reflection in the mirror and thought

"DANG man, you looking fine!"

While commuting to my local station I did notice a few people turning their heads to get a better look, embarrassing I know :P

Arriving at The London Eye, I was greeted by smiles from old friends and new friends. Everyone had dressed to impress where they could.

Jenny (Left), Me & Samantha (Right)
Samantha has been busy working on a little gift for some of the riders for today's ride and I got this cool custom one of a kind Bowtie :D
Sporting my BeeBow Tie
I have to say I TOTALLY love it, Thank you Samantha :)

After a quick briefing from David we was on our way, with this being London there was alot of traffic and we lost a couple just before Trafalgar Square but we managed to get back together mad take a quick group photo.

The whole gang

Off we went towards Hyde Park Corner but there was alot of police & barriers all over the place. There was Vitality World Triathlon going on  so we had to work out another route. While we was waiting a few of the officers where very interested in our little group and have never seen so many Bromptons in one go.


Passing though Hyde Park we could see a couple of competitors on the Vitality World Triathlon




Jenny photobombing me


David looking very dapper
Annie looking cool

After we crossed Battersea Bridge we made a quick stop at Phoenix Cycles. I asked David if we could stop by as BBB needed his recent wheel rebuilds double checked, just to make sure the spokes had settled down properly. Harry at Phoenix Cycles who had done the awesome work on BBB was happy that the spokes where settled and all good to go. I knew that already but always good to get an expert opinion just to be on the safe side.


Not too long after we left Phoenix Cycles, Graham caught as up with big smiles.

Graham look so dashing

Soon after we entered Bishop Park Brian had an accident and quiet a serious one as it turned out.

Basically alot the path there are big bumps where tree roots have forced though the tarmac and produced quiet big bumps and if your not prepared for them they can catch you out and you take a tumble.

Brian had fallen and taken the full force on his hand, wrist. It was hurting quiet abit but he was more worried about his Brompton. We thought it would be best to call emergency services to come and check him out, when we knew an ambulance was on its way we decided to continue with the ride with Brian's blessing. Anna stayed with him to make sure he was alright. It later turned out he had actually broke his wrist and its now in plaster, get well soon buddy :(

Jenny photobombing while we waited

and again....

Peace out you all

Samantha getting in on the act
The rest of the group cycled onwards towards our goal of Stein's for some well earned food and beers.

Janine just bimbling along



Finally we was Stein's where we got a little surprise of a couple more Bromptoneers where waiting for us namely Chris B & Andy L. And as you can see Chris B was dressed to impress ;)


As you can see the girls got into the party mood as we was waiting for our orders of food and of course BEER.
Samantha, Chris & Jenny can can dancing?
and this craziness was BEFORE they even had any beer, I know bonkers but we love em.


I decided not to go all out this time round and just ordered something pretty tame that I could handle with ease. Got to try and watch my waist line you know.

SAUSAGEEEEE!

Now I’m not really a beer drinker so I opted for this Beer & lemonade combo and I have to say it was pretty nice and refreshing. Perfect after a good ride.
BEEEEEER!

and of course there was a dessert. Once again I opted for the Apple Strudel with cream & ice cream which was nice but could have been ALOT bigger but that's just me I love my desserts :P 
DESSERTTTTTTT!
Another great relaxing ride with my LBC buddies as always and here is the ride data for all those that love all that data stat stuff :P

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

Wednesday 27 May 2015

LBBG Ride: The Saturday Ride

I've been apart of the London Bike & Beer group for a little while which has a mix of people that I have ridden with before on other group rides & events in and around London.

This was billed as I nice easy social ride that would be just over 30 miles. I could have gone on the LBC Whitstable ride but after a trying work week I was in no condition for a challenging ride like that so the Beer ride was perfect for me. Meeting point was Marble Arch so got there easily and was even abit early (shock horror).


Soon enough others started to arrive many fellow riders all talking about what they have done since the last time they ride together & what upgrades etc. when everyone gathered it looked like I was going to be the only Brompton on this one.

LBBG: The Saturday Ride

LBBG: The Saturday Ride
Some have come WELL prepared for this ride

LBBG: The Saturday Ride
Big smiles all over cause we are riding our bikes and got BEER

LBBG: The Saturday Ride
With everyone starting to gather together the skies started to look a little darker. Just as we was setting off it started to spit a little rain, not much but it was just about there. I didn’t even bother getting my waterproof jacket out as it was so light and ended just as quickly.

LBBG: The Saturday Ride
You’ll be amazed at the things you see when you cycling though London Parks at times.

LBBG: The Saturday Ride
Busy roads in London but in a big crowd of bicycles, its all good.

LBBG: The Saturday Ride
Another favourite place that we Bromptons like to cycle though.

LBBG: The Saturday Ride

LBBG: The Saturday Ride
Our first stop off point for a few drink, a snack and bathroom break.

First short stop for munchies #LBBG #bromptonlife #urban
Some odd characters on these rides you know, Nice hair cut. ;)

LBBG: The Saturday Ride
London Bike & Beer Group sticker I spotted on my friend Sam’s bike

LBBG: The Saturday Ride
Sam taking things seriously

LBBG: The Saturday Ride
London Bike & Beer Group Logo

LBBG: The Saturday Ride

LBBG: The Saturday Ride
Just entering into Richmond Park and for another lunch break while a few of the  serious riders go out for a lap or 2

LBBG: The Saturday Ride
Hot chocolate and chocolate & toffee biscuit shortbread and yummy it was too

Another pitstop while someone's wheel gets fixed. Afew going for quick burn around Richmond park. #LBBG #bromptonlife #cycling #london
Some where on the serious stuff and having a good time.

Getting an early start. Not mine btw #LBBG #urban #beer #cycling
Talking bikes & adventures we have all been on. Having arrived at Richmond a few wanted to do a circuit of the park so they went of while the rest of us had something to eat, drink and chat about bikes etc..

LBBG: The Saturday Ride

LBBG: The Saturday Ride
The legend looks on, ready to ride

BBB is ready for anything #LBBG #bromptonlife #urban #london #cycling
Everyone arriving back and we all get ready to continue on the ride

LBBG: The Saturday Ride

LBBG: The Saturday Ride
Not exactly sure where we ended up but anywhere that had a ready supply of beers was always a good thing.

Another pitstop for Brooke and ice cream. #LBBG #bromptonlife #urban #cycling
Nice looking fast bike here.

LBBG: The Saturday Ride

Getting into Bushy park. #LBBG #bromptonlife #urban #cycling #beer

LBBG: The Saturday Ride
Now THIS is now you carry a Crunchie Bar ;)
Finally arriving at Twickenham Rugby Stadium.

LBBG: The Saturday Ride

LBBG: The Saturday Ride
Graham wasn't having much luck this week, his had a few mechanical problems and now a puncture just before we was setting off.

Graham gets a puncture. Just not his day. #LBBG #cycling #urban

LBBG: The Saturday Ride

Ride finished just about. Just chilling in the park. #LBBG #bromptonlife #beer #urban
Well we finally made it to the finish of Green Park where everyone was going to be chilling out some more with  chatting and abit of drinking. I stayed for awhile but  decided it was time for me and the legend to return home as was mainly there for the riding and we don't really drink to be honest.

LBBG: The Saturday Ride
I have to say that this was a very "interesting" ride compared to what I've been on before.

All in all I think everyone had a good time regardless.


til the next ride, bee safe.......