Review: EBUYFIRE ultra Bright Smart Bike Tail Light

• The Legend & N+1 needed some backup rear lights and I opted for this little find on Amazon.
  
  
  

• WIDE FIELD of VIEW : 180 Degree field of view degree wide angle design, the led bike light will make you more visible for other road users in dark night or daytime. It will be great for your extra security in ridingequipped with ultra bright wide beam LED, will make you more visible for other road users.

• INTELLIGENT BRAKE SENSOR: A build-in integrated accelerometer ensures accurate brake detection. With the brake sensor, Automatic ultra bright brake light will automatically light up after braking.The bicycle light is super bright and highly visible from a distance, really catch attention to enhance your safety.

• SENSING FUNCTION: In Fast Flash and Breathing mode with light sensor, the flashing light will turn on automatically in low brightness and turn off in high-intensity light. Save your time to switch the bike tail light

• WATERPROOF & RECHARGEABLE: IPX5 waterproof bike tail light against splashing water from any angle. Built-in 400mAh Polymer Lithium battery comes with a USB cord that charges from your computer, wall charger, power bank or any other device with a USB port. After charging for 2 hours, the tail light can work for 25—50 hours in different modes. Please charge in time when the power is low. Long-term low power will damage the battery and cannot be recharged.

• EASY INSTALLTION: Saddle mounting and Seat Post mounting offered fit on any road bikes.Saddle mounting bracket and adjustable silicone strap provided, make the bicycle rear light flexible to quick install or detatch on bicycles, seat post, helmet. Very convenient to unscrews from the mount cap for recharging

I like this light as it acts like a brake light when stopping even in the daytime. Every little advantage to help me keep safe on the roads I’m all for.

Even though the legend has a dynamo lights it’s always good to have a little backup. Especially seeing the wiring on the legend has been playing up lately to the rear brake lights. (Got a replacement on order)

EBUYFIRE ultra Bright Smart Bike Tail Light

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

Review: Ergon GA3 Grips Mellow Yellow

Thanks to Brilliant Bikes we have our first upgrade to the Brompton BumbleBee Special Edition affectionately known as “N+1”

ERGON GA3 Handlebar Grips - Large - Yellow mellow

The ergonomic shape fits the contours of the hand and significantly reduced arm pump on long trails whilst the wing provides support to ensure the correct hand position preventing aches and pains.

• Carbon friendly CNC Aluminium clamps

• Replaceable bar end plugs

• Weigh approx 135g per pair

Super soft rubber compound for outstanding grip 

Increased contact face for optimised hand position to reduce aches

Uses: Trail riding, cross country, MTB-touring

Lock on clamp made from forged aluminium / CNC machined

I was looking to upgrade the grips for alittle while. I have to say the original Brompton grips are not to bad compared to what originally on offer when I got “The Legend” all those years ago. Just basic dripped foam which didn't last all that long from normal use.

These grips feel pretty good with a soft rubber feel and grippy. I personally always wear cycling gloves either full fingers or fingerless but to the bare hands they feel nice. Would have been perfect if the bar ends were black and yellow, which is something we will be looking out for.

 

I have to say the colour is pretty close to the Special Edition’s yellow, so wouldn’t be a good fit for “The Legend” as he is a much lighter shade of yellow.

till the next ride, bee safe…..

Cycle 100 Miles this August for Prostate Cancer UK

Cycle The Month this August 2025

Ofcourse we had to sign up and do whatever we could to support this charity. Even more so as now we have a personal connection.

Here is a link to my charity page which will raise money for Prostate Cancer UK, anything you can spare and contribute to this great cause The Legend, N+1 and I would appreciate anything to help this great cause. I set myself the target of at least raising £300

Charity Page

I’d love for anyone that could to sign up for this virtual event and do some fundrising themselves for a really good cause. You can sign up and link to your JustGiving & Strava (from 1st August 2025)

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

Review: Brompton BumbleBee C Line Special Edition

Over the years the I have had a very close relationship with Brompton Bicycles. 

When I first saw the adverts for the then new BumbleBee Brompton initially I was surprised and honoured. I commented on it with “ I feel a disturbance in the force!” Which resulted in many likes & comments.

I can almost imagine the meeting at Brompton HQ:

“We had The Legend here a many years ago. We took DNA samples and has been on ice ever since. Cloning technology has come along way since that time.”

“Is it safe? Is it Ethical ?”

“Let’s do it!”

Yeah I know my sense of humour can be odd at times..

In late February 2023 I got a message though instagram from none other the Creative Director at Brompton Bicycle. At first I was very sceptical that it was a real message but I confirmed the message was genuine. I think at first I was thinking they where offering me to be put on the waiting list to buy the special edition but to my surprise it was confirmed that Brompton where just going to send me one.

After confirming the specs of the Brompton BumbleBee C Line we (The Legend & I) had a new addiction to the family. N+1 (temp name maybe) will probably be a perfect day ride bike (No rain).

• Mid bar
• BWR 6 speed
• Mudguards  

Nothing to fancy but I wish I went for the Electric version. It did take awhile to get to me cause as fast as Brompton could make them, people were buying them.

First Impressions:

It feels a lot lighter than The Legend. Probably different techniques in making it over the years so making it stronger and lighter in the process. Cause its lighter it feels abit more nimble.

The colour is more orange than yellow, maybe Canary Yellow I would call it.

Love that EVERYTHING is either black or yellow.

The gear changers have been redesigned and more comfortable to use once you get used to it. Cause I’m on “The Legend” most of the time it takes me awhile to get used to the change.

I do like the wheel nut covers, may have to see about getting a few for “The Legend” at some point to help  keep the rusty look nuts looking nice.

Long term Review:

I haven’t really ridden the SE one often, but just before this years (2025) Brompton World Championships when the legend went into a major overhaul and servicing I had to ride the C Line constantly for just over a week. I noticed a few things that I missed having namely better grips, SPD/flat pedals so  can I ride with or without SPD shoes, a decent saddle bag, Brompton Tool Kit.

I totally love this Special Edition, Brompton Bicycles nod to “The Legend”

I will admit that if Brompton ever did a G Line in yellow I’d seriously consider buying one. HINT, HINT

So anyone out there that also got themselves the Brompton BumbleBee C Line SE ? Please comment on our blog so we can see how far the force of “The Legend” goes……

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

Men’s Health…

So in early May 2025 I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. It’s in its early stages and treatment has already begun.  The doctors say cause I’m young (54 is young for this) and it’s been caught early I have very good chance to beat this thing. The thing of it is that ive had no symptoms at all and this is why it’s also called a silent killer.

My dad died of Prostate Cancer a couple of years ago and I’ve been getting regular checks ever since.

So anybody (guys) please get checked if your mid 40s onwards. Even more so if your family has a history  of cancer. 

1 in 8 men get it. (1 in 4 black men, For some reason is much higher in black men.)

I’ve come to realisation that men don’t talk about this kind of stuff cause well if your not in pain, bleeding or something not dropped off then you carry on. I’m mostly posting this for everyone to get their minds in gear to look after themselves and have health checks more. Go to doctors and ask for atleast a yearly check and blood work especially if your family has history of illnesses like this.

Prostate Cancer UK

Cancer Research UK

Macmillan Cancer Support

Brompton World Championships 2025

My Boys

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

Brompton World Championship 2025

Once again it’s come to that time of year when Brompton organise a few people to dress up funny and ride these tiny wheeled bikes. No matter what i always get excited in the run up to the Brompton World Championships as I get to meet and greet old friends would i have know for over a decade who I consider family as well as making new friends from all over this little blue ball floating in space.

When i finally made it to the event I was surprised by the amount of new faces around. All smiles at seeing the Legend entering to Brompton Area. Met up with a couple of old skool LBC members as well as a few new ones. Pity my partner in crime Mr. Orange couldn’t make it this year, i think he would have enjoyed it especially if it was racing with his new G Line

A lot of Bumble B Clones around :D

It was damn hot, the hottest its been this year 30C

Some good racing this year

I feel a disturbance in the force with this one…..

Finally the legends meet. Great meeting the man himself CEO of Brompton Will Butler-Adams 

As always it was great being at the World Championships as at one point I wasn’t sure I was going to go at all. I keep saying this to myself that I will be making more posts but then life kinda throws a few curve balls at you and you have to prioritise things.

till the next ride, bee safe….

Brompton Social Ride 2025

As always I look forward to the BWC every year as sometimes its the only chance I get to meet and greet many of my Brompton family new and old from all over the world. I wasn't so sure I would be able to make it due to my current health issues but it gave me a goal to aim for if I was feeling up to it.

Me and the boys where running a little late due to it being the hottest day of the year (tomorrow Race day supposed to be even hotter 31C) Having got the Legend fully serviced for over a week. My mechanic was pretty busy as when the sun comes out, everyone digs out there bikes out of the sheds and noticed a few things need fixing. But I wasn’t worried as I knew my boy was in good hands.

Jumping on the Victoria line was fun as I could see already there were problems due to the insane temperatures already causing delays etc. Pulled up at the meeting point alittle late but msgd the infamous Chris who with Brompton organised this social ride. Luckily there we’re to far down at Buckingham Palace. I noticed there were a few more late arrivals so guided them to the place thought Hyde Park Corner and straight down the Mall. I’m an old hand with traffic normally in a double decker Boris Bus and had almost forgotten I was guiding people. I was “threading” thought traffic pretty wildly cause i just wanted to see my kin. :)

Finally with my kin folk :D so many new faces and i have to admit the only face I recognised was Chris 

Nice little ride and as always a huge thank you to everyone for going and especially to Brompton Staff, ride leader Chris and the markers of the ride. Hopefully everyone had a good nights sleep and ready for tomorrows awesomely great racing near Kings Cross, London.

Me and the legend are looking forward to meeting you all, especially as its my boy’s birthday. 16yrs old and still going strong :D

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