Aussie on a Brompton

Pre-trip planning had highlighted RideLondon cycling events on the weekend following BWC2013 so what else to do but schedule some time in London? Moving into London on the Wednesday was going to provide just over a week to fit in lots of activities, including our Palace visit (ie Brompton factory) as well as the weekend cycling events.

Saturday was the RideLondon FreeCycle event, where tens of thousands circulated on a 8mile closed section of roads containing some of London’s best tourist-sights. From our Isleworth flat to inner London, we decided to try out traveling by train & Tube with Ralph & Robinson. The train was simple enough, with lots of non-folders trying to also squeeze in. At Waterloo we switched to the Tube & tested ourselves with regular fold & unfolds, up & down escalators & tunnels. I think we coped ok but perhaps we’d need to observe what happens for peak hour commuting before attempting any more?

Arriving at Green Park station, we managed to meet-up with some of the London Brompton Club members & started the ride together but got hopelessly separated before the first lap was done. Perhaps it was better that way, because I inadvertently treated one member’s Brompton with a lot less respect than he would have liked (sorry Andrew). I was assisting an enquiry about the price of a Brompton & scrambling for the likely UK price, I suggested that it started about £750 & was probably twice that for a high-end model. To which the enquirer asked if “…BumbleBee over there is one of the high-end models?” Oh no, said I, it’s just a… – before realising what I’d said about “The Legend”, that is CrazyBee’s pride & joy. Hopefully all will be forgiven next time?

Unfortunately, the FreeCycle event wasn’t exactly traffic-free as it seemed to be almost wall-to-wall bikes, including family groups taking the chance to escort little Brad or Victoria on their maiden rides – or so it seemed? Highly entertaining for most but frustrating for anyone wanting to set a new record (certainly not me) or drop out/in as the sights dictated (maybe me?). Very well marshalled but barrier controlled to the point of dictating where you could leave the course? Probably very necessary – & it certainly kept those pesky pedestrians at bay & allowed “us bikers” our own piece of London (for about 7 hours). I’m not a fan of family rides although when they are point-to-point – such as Sydney’s “CycleSydney” event – maybe it keeps people focused on moving along? The London ride certainly had a different feel – & it could be conveniently handled in small dosages (between those essential coffee & food stops).

Sunday was more my cup of tea, so to speak, as the RideLondon Surrey Classic race was going to follow the 2012 Olympic course. Featuring 8 Pro-Tour teams (& lots of other Pro teams) meant for a serious cycle race. We figured to catch the action out on the course at a couple of locations – & definitely skip the crowds at the finish on The Mall – so headed out on Ralph & Robinson from our flat, intending to also include a bit of Thames touring. First off we navigated back to Richmond Park & this time (rather than driving there in Kanga) we managed to ride up Nightingale Lane! (well almost, but three-quarters of the way up is a bit of a win for both of us). In Richmond Park the course was fully barriered so we settled in at a corner that included a lovely chicane of cobblestones. No dramas with the Pros however, for they swept through rapidly – with an Orica-Greenedge rider trying to make a break on the field.

Once the whole race circus was through, we rode back down to the Thames & ambled in the direction of Kingston. It seemed that a sunny Sunday in London was a magnet for crowds relaxing along the river & our progress was rather (pleasantly) slow. It’s certainly well-equipped along the way, with hotels, riverboat dining & cafes – but still has open areas & even some “off road” tracks through bush. Eventually we found Kingston-on-Thames & joined in the festivities that were arranged – not just for us, for the race made two passes through Kingston & so the town certainly went to some effort!

As is usual with cycle racing, we had a group to observe coming through the town before the peloton swept through & then a number of small groups made their way toward London. Once the last solitary rider was gone (closely followed by a broom-wagon?) then it was time for us to retrace our steps/tracks all the way back home. Quite a grand day out?

A wonderful time at BWC2013 was surely had by all who travelled to the Goodwood Motor Circuit, Chichester. For our first BWC trip & to this new venue we took a cottage at Pagham nearby & drove Kanga up each day. Our cottage location incidentally, used to be the home for Derek Bell, the multi-winner of Le Mans & his early racing career at Goodwood was for the family-run Church Farm Racing Team. Staying near Goodwood & seeing light aircraft doing aerobatics overhead, reminded me that Goodwood also has an aerodrome in the infield. At the circuit there were historic sights aplenty: the buildings & infrastructure, famous racer names for parts of the track, “Goodwood Revival” pre-1966 historic support vehicles, bronze statues of renowned racers & flyers & also the regular take-offs (with the occasional aerobatics) & landings by an assortment of aircraft, including Tiger Moth & WWII warbirds. An atmosphere that just seemed so appropriate to the BWC?

Our late-afternoon Friday attendance was intended just for BWC registration & race-pack pickup but the setting & atmosphere was very entertaining. Some hours were spent cruising the exhibit area & we fielded countless enquiries about aspects of Ralph & Robinson’s setups – eg my small luggage bag, bidon cages, MKS pedals, Alfine 11-speed, etc. Perhaps I’d better start a Brompton-modding business?

Saturday & day 2 for us was to spectate the Sprint & Eliminator events & start meeting many of the Facebook group London Brompton Club members – & especially Mick, LBC co-founder (thanks Mick, for those Facetime chats for advice on pre-trip matters). So many (& too many?) LBCers to put faces to names & Brompton pics? A great day & I was starting to suspect that the non-Brompton events at this “Orbital Cycling Festival” were a minor player – & that “Brompton-Sunday” was going to be massive?

Day 3 & Sunday dawned bright & exciting, headed off early for a fast-paced, blur of a day? Bromptons galore being unloaded at the car park & starting to see some wonderful outfits for this “business-attire dress-code day”. Off on a sighting lap & a familiar face pulls up alongside: “World’s Fastest MD”, Will Butler-Adams – & a very productive chat? (more news later?) Endless pre-race chatter/meetings with LBCers & others, before a “Field of Folded Bromptons” are assembled on the grid.

Bromptons aligned in rows by race numbers, in groups of about 160 bikes each, to start in 4 waves 90secs apart (wave 1 for us). The rider briefing confirms the sensible start procedures; running(?) to the folded bikes, unfolding & walking them to the road, then riding onto the circuit & over the timing mat to start the race – no panic & far safer than an all-in scramble? (& avoiding a near riot at the briefing when it was suggested that we should carry the bikes to the track?) Retreat to await the Le Mans start & then an air horn blast signals the off…

Who can run in such congestion? Stayed calm & got it all together, dodged through those still bums-up unfolding & clipped in & away! Kept off the racing line & watched swarms of Bromptons continually coming by – & then the later waves just kept whizzing through! With my heart rate “digitally restricted”, I was headed for a steady (but flat out?) ride – although the head winds were tough & the Alfine trigger shifter got a work-out to keep my cadence up. Certainly jolly hot work; new outfit next time? Had a marvelous “grandstand seat” in watching never-ending Bromptons circulating. Got lapped twice by the leaders (such a fantastic pace & legs a blur) & once by my wife (creditable 36:54 for 11th in class & her first race) – but still a lap to go for me? So tempting to “take the medal & end it all” but I soldiered on – & even managed to chat with a fellow sufferer from the Netherlands before crossing the line & stopping my Garmin at 51:16 (race timing spot-on!). Now that’s how you get your “money’s worth” in racing – before getting stuck into the recovery food & photo sessions.

You had to be there to enjoy the afternoon tea – with Brompton staff wielding endless tea pots – the Gin & Tonics, & finally the exuberant presentations. Was there a brief shower about now? I don’t think too many noticed. Beforehand, some said that the numbers would be down because Goodwood lacked the hills & atmosphere? I feel Goodwood was an excellent location (even with the head winds?) – & I suspect lots more will think that next time?