Long time no see

It has been a while I did not post new articles on this blog and several things happned during this "hibernation".

First, my folding bike was stolen at Abbey Wood station in southeast London. No, not that Brompton one. It was my b'Twin bike which is now gone.

How did it happen? Well, it was my fault. I use a cheap lock as I thought the area was safe. Cheap locks are very easy to break or cut.

Lesson has been learnt.

Secondly, I got another folding bike, again I bought it from Decathlon. I haven't had proper time to ride but I will post a review in due course.

Until then enjoy the blog. Thank you.

I lost my neck warmer...

The temperature has dropped since the end of September. Well, to be honest, since when we get a proper and hot summer? The thing is, I lost my neck warmer, which I find is so important during the last winter.

As a result, I cycle with bare neck and the chilled wind, especially during the morning journey, goes into my neck freely.

This morning I managed to beat the wind with my traditional scarf. I plan to buy a new neck warmer but I do not have time yet. Until then my scarf will accompany me in the morning and in the afternoon...

Brompton S2L The Review

Why did you sell your road bike and change to a Brompton? You sold your soul.

Sorry, mate. It's beyond my control. My office moved which means it will take about the whole an hour and 45 minutes to cycle door-to-door. I do not want to spent 3,5 hours daily on the road to be honest. However I still love to cycle. It keeps me fit and the pleasure of cycling is second to none. With a Brompton I am still able to cycle on parts of my journey to the office.

Why Brompton? There are lots of other folding bikes out there...

It's pretty small when you fold it. You can tuck it nicely next to your seat in a train or tube. I have another folding bike and it is still BIG even when folded. But the killer feature is how quick it is to fold the bike. Less than 30 seconds. Yes, you hear me right. Less than 30 seconds so you have no reasons to miss your train.

Back to blog

What? Four months? I know. It has been quite a while I do not write any posts. Sorry for that.

Well, I am OK. I do not want to make any excuses however since 9 April (that was the last time I posted a picture that I am sure now you get an idea about the bike that I ride) there have been changes in my daily live. For a start I get a new member of the family, my office moved to another site, then we had Euro 2012, Diamond Jubilee, the Olympics and the Paralympics.

What a busy summer!

Now the busy period is over I can blog on cycling in London. Welcome back folks...

Welcome to the fold

Bicycle by Helen Pidd

I do want to have a bike but I do not know which one is best for me, you may ask.

Well, no worries. Helen Pidd answers all of your questions in a single marvellous book entitled Bicycle.

You should buy this book before you purchase your first bike.

However, it is absolutely OK even if you already have one, just like me, who bought the book a couple of week after getting my road bike.

Pidd cleverly layouts from the basic aspects of choosing a bike to important issues while you are out and about with your bike.

For example, is it legal to cycle on the pavement. Or is it OK to jump the red light. You probably raise the question as you notice that more and more cyclists do that.

Generally speaking the book ticks all the right boxes so I would recommend this one. Happy reading, folks.

Relocation, relocation, relocation

Office jobs and other commitments made February a very busy month. Please forgive me for not posting any updates.

Well, no news is good news, as the saying goes. Talking about news, my office is in the process of relocating to another site, which is further west.

It means I have to cycle further as I live in the southeast. I reckon it will take about at least 1.45 door to door from my house to the new site in Oxford Circus.

I still want to cycle however the distance is killing me.

So, I come up with this plan: cycle to Abbey Wood, catch a train to Charing Cross and then cycle again to Oxford Circus.

The flaw with this plan is I can not get my road bike into the train during the rush hour. Southeast Train does not allow me to do so. Folding bike is OK but not road bike, it says.

I do have a folding bike. However, it is still relatively big even when it is folded.

So, shall I get a Brompton?

Bike theft

Very nice piece of writing by Andrew Gimson whose bike was nicked.  I share his feeling although what I experienced was nothing compared to his.

I do believe now that a bike is not just a bike. For most of us a bike is like a faithful friend. It is with us come shine or rain, day in day out.

So when 'your faithful friend' is no longer there, it seems like half of yourself has gone. No? Just ask Andrew...

Warm winter

Yes, I am still alive. Sorry for not posting in the last couple of weeks. I was rather busy with office stuff during the festive period. Oh, happy new year by the way. Hope you all have a more prosperous year.

Probably you notice, and I believe you do, that this winter is warm. Very warm indeed. We have double digits temperature at the end December and at the first half of January. I am not complaining though as it is good time for cycling. Yes, it is cold in the morning but not as cold as I thought.

Just don't forget to wrap up yourself. Happy winter cycling...