A seriously strong cyclist friend - A Man Called Bob - kindly put together a Christmas Collaboration on Two Brompton Wheels. A ride that enlightened us all as it uncovered the whole South West London Story
of Brompton from its very beginning all
the way up the (Brompton) Junction.
Bob knows a thing or two about
Bromptons. He is the only person I know
who has ridden his up an Alp. He treats
cycling to Paris on a Brompton like a walk in a park, so the perfect person to
host this ride. The dress code was
straight forward: Bromptons are
Required!
Looking out of the window in the morning, the sky seemed to
reflect the weather prediction. Clear and bright but, from what pedestrians
scurrying along the pavement were wearing, it was cold and crisp. The
scarily accurate forecast of six degrees was a call for cashmere.
Meanwhile Google Maps had provided a lovely route along the river to the start - eight miles or so - which I
was trying to memorize. One thing led to
another (sometimes known as faffing) and I was still at home 45 minutes before the
ride start time. Oooops! I shot out of the door!
Suddenly the temperature
outside did not seem nearly as cold.
Pedalling like there was no tomorrow, weaving my way alongside long
lines of cars that looked parked - they weren't parked they were at red
lights. Up to the front of the queue,
off at the green light I flew along - undoing my top layer. 18mph on the flat!
Ha!
My feet clipped into to my Speedplay zero pedals, whizzing along without a
care in the world (apart from the worry of being late of course) Spinning along
the Lower RIchmond Road across Barnes Common, into Barnes itself and straight
out the other side. Riding a bike! It
just makes you feel so alive. I kept
looking at the queuing cars and their very bored drivers wondering why they
weren't riding bicycles. Oh what they
are missing!
Arriving at Kew I found myself
surrounded by fellow Bromptonites - a true cacophony of this unique folding
bicycle and their welcoming owners. Some I had never met before, some only a
couple of times and some I have known for a couple of years.
Much
chatting and laughter and Brompton Admiring and Comparing (a standard Bromptonite Occupation)
took place. It caused a bit of
eye-catching from local residents who were busy buying their Christmas trees
and groceries - one of whom kindly took our group photo.
On the stroke of 12.07 we
headed around the corner for the first of the Brompton Tour Talks. According to our illustrious Bob, Brompton
started with the design eye of a certain Mr Ritchie. It seems that this Mr Ritchie had decided
that although the Bickerton folding bicycle did fold, the actual design was not
appealing to him and he encouraged his son to do something different.
Becoming a genius from ingenuity Mr Ritchie Junior
designed the perfect folding bike. The
genius isn't just in the design, it's the way that the company runs as a very
approachable, somewhat typically British inventor-eccentric and passionate yet
humble way and its belief in its product.
These qualities definitely appear in their customers clearly ensuring
that its less of a cycling cult and more of a cycling culture. Haute Couture on wheels perhaps?! But one of which
I am very happy and indeed lucky to be a part - especially with this group of very kind and fine peeps.
As we headed through Kew, westwards into
Brentford we found ourselves looking at railway arches. AKA Bob explained that these were where Mr
Ritchie set up his workshop in 1974. By
1976 his company increased to a total workforce of three and they were
producing 10 Bromptons a month, retailing at around £200.
I was hanging out at the
back with the Tail End Charlie, Charlie. We
were cycling on a diabolical cycle path alongside the A4 - uneven, full of
litter, glass, discarded hub caps and the noise of the traffic was absolutely frightful. Whoever designed paths like this certainly
doesn't ride a bicycle. Charlie and I
could hardly hear each other as lorries roared. There was a very surreal moment
when I looked up and could see traffic on the M4s Boston Manor Viaduct high up
in the distance.
Soon we were at the Brompton
Distribution Centre. A chap from
Brompton came to say hello and showed us the world' smallest Brompton. We all gathered round in awe, taking pics and
absorbing more facts from Bob (AKAGoogle).
Next stop was Chiswick. We were
all at a set of red lights at a junction with the A4. "I hope we are not turning right, or
left!" I said. The traffic London-bound was running fast and
free, the engines accelerating as they hoped the lights would stay green. I cannot describe the overwhelming smell of
car fumes at that point. Exhaust fumes
and petrol fumes, yet not a great deal of traffic. What must that be like in
rush hour?
Luckily straight over and we
headed east to Kew, then along the Thames path. It may be December, but rowing
is obviously popular even at this time of year.
A Christmas Regatta was taking place, lots of spectators on both river
banks, wrapped up in welly boots, wooly hats and scarves. In the middle of it all was Father Christmas. No reindeer that I could see, just him, in a
boat!
Down the Kings Road and up
through the Brompton Cemetery for some more Brompton Education which included the
reason why there is a Brompton Road and an Old Brompton Road (if I had been
paying more attention I would tell you...!).
Then to Knightsbridge, past a
disused Tube Station that I have never, ever noticed before.
Then we were in Hyde Park - a place I know.
Well. Although I was in the middle of
the group I could see that Bob hadn't quite timed the traffic lights so had to
stop. I ride this route so often that
even my Brommie knows the routine so I adjusted my pedal pace to full
advantage. I had such momentum that I
whizzed past Bob at 17mph! Hahahaha!
Inevitably just as my lungs were wondering when this was going to end,
Mark arrived on my right hand side for a chat - and a couple of seconds later
Bob flew by at about 28mph saying "Hurry up you two"! Hilarious!!
Along to Buckingham Palace,
into Trafalgar Square and onto Covent Garden where we took over Brompton
Junction. We were made so welcome, all
our bicycles were stored safely and neatly downstairs and a couple of us
blinged our Brommies with matching Bar ends.
The whole ride had been at
conversational pace and attitude - really relaxed, friendly and great fun. My Brompton banter had
included so many topics I can't remember them all, but some definitely included
football, fashion, cycling in London and cake!
A great day out in mighty fine company. Thank you peeps, truly.
