Author Topic: Liz and Charlotte go to Northern Ireland (Read 8979 times)

Charlotte · « **on:** 30 April, 2008, 03:40:27 pm »

A few snaps from our trip to Northern Ireland for the CTC ACM at the weekend...

Have Brommie, will travel:

Tandem Pr0n:

Gathering for the Sunday ride:

Through Belfast:

Opinions on the weather were divided:

Looking for the Sustrans path:

Liz doesn't think Bromptons are real bikes...

Stopping for a breather:

Roger, posing with the legendary £50 bike from last month's "Cycle":

Following the canal to Lisbon:

Liz leads them out:

All the best people were on Bromptons:

Kevin realises this is his longest ride for months:

Getting some coffee afterwards:

Back in Belfast, Mr Orange goes to work:

The police look on:

Finally - one of the ever-dwindling number of Murials:

Sergeant Pluck · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 April, 2008, 03:45:21 pm »

Quote

Following the canal to Lisbon

Lisburn!

Looks as if you were very fortunate with the weather, if less so with the Orangemen.

clarion · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 April, 2008, 03:46:09 pm »

Lovely pics (till about halfway through).

Glad you had a good time as well as executing your duty as a Councillor.

Hope the AGM went well

Charlotte · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 April, 2008, 03:46:51 pm »

Oops. Lisburn.

It would have been a slightly longer ride to Lisbon

tiermat · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 April, 2008, 03:49:49 pm »

Quote from: Charlotte on 30 April, 2008, 03:46:51 pm

Oops. Lisburn.

It would have been a slightly longer ride to Lisbon

And a tad wetter, at a guess

Wowbagger · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 April, 2008, 03:53:32 pm »

With all those Orangemen on display, I expected Charlotte & Liz to take their clothes off.

andygates · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 April, 2008, 03:56:02 pm »

You could have got to Lisbon with Muriel

Looks like a fun trip!

nuttycyclist · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 April, 2008, 04:28:00 pm »

Quote from: Charlotte on 30 April, 2008, 03:46:51 pm

Oops. Lisburn.

It would have been a slightly longer ride to Lisbon

Even though I'm not known for my knowledge of Forn Parts... I did get confused as to why you were riding to Lisbon.

Ian H · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 April, 2008, 04:42:19 pm »

Strangely foreign, innit.

nicknack · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 April, 2008, 05:24:21 pm »

Nice to see my brother's old bike (the £50 bike) still being used. I told him I'd find a better home for it than the tip.

Russell · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 April, 2008, 09:58:25 pm »

Quote from: Charlotte on 30 April, 2008, 03:40:27 pm

I lean my bike in that very same spot every evening!

R

Frenchie · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 April, 2008, 11:00:56 pm »

Nice!

Valiant · « **Reply #12 on:** 01 May, 2008, 03:36:25 am »

But but Bromptons aren't real bikes!

LEE · « **Reply #13 on:** 01 May, 2008, 05:05:28 pm »

What your verdict on the Bromptons (to Liz and Charlotte) ?

I'm trying to stop wanting one and failing.

Your use of them for that trip makes me think they would be perfect for my annual family camping trips to France (with car and trailer-tent)

border-rider · « **Reply #14 on:** 01 May, 2008, 05:07:21 pm »

Quote from: Valiant on 01 May, 2008, 03:36:25 am

But but Bromptons aren't real bikes!

In what way ?

tkatzir of this very parish did PBP on one. We had a nice chat on the way out of Brest

It's not exactly standard spec though. Phil Wood front Brommie hub anyone ?

Charlotte · « **Reply #15 on:** 01 May, 2008, 05:09:09 pm »

I think they're bloody brilliant.

Liz thinks they're Not Real Bikes as well. But her bottom is closer to the ground than most and she has to ride with the handlebars about four inches above the saddle height. You can't adjust the handlebar height and it must throw the handling off something rotten for her.

I'm planning on doing at least a 100k populaire on mine before the end of the year. Just because I can

Wowbagger · « **Reply #16 on:** 01 May, 2008, 05:11:44 pm »

Name you ride, C. I may well do one too. How about the Invicta 100? It has a leisurely time control and is not unduly hilly. You can also fold up your bike and take it in the pub.

Ian H · « **Reply #17 on:** 01 May, 2008, 05:14:23 pm »

Quote from: Charlotte on 01 May, 2008, 05:09:09 pm

I think they're bloody brilliant.

Liz thinks they're Not Real Bikes as well. But her bottom is closer to the ground than most and she has to ride with the handlebars about four inches above the saddle height. You can't adjust the handlebar height and it must throw the handling off something rotten for her.

But you can get straight bars which might put her position right.

nuttycyclist · « **Reply #18 on:** 01 May, 2008, 05:43:10 pm »

Quote from: LEE on 01 May, 2008, 05:05:28 pm

What your verdict on the Bromptons (to Liz and Charlotte) ?

I'm trying to stop wanting one and failing.

Your use of them for that trip makes me think they would be perfect for my annual family camping trips to France (with car and trailer-tent)

We bought our two specifically because they'd fit in the rear footwells of a Peugeot 106 so not preventing us taknig any other luggage to the south of France. They usually go on holiday with us in the car.

Tom B · « **Reply #19 on:** 01 May, 2008, 06:37:11 pm »

Sorry, I'm not Liz or Charlotte but just about everyone, except maybe some hard-core roadies or MTBers, likes Bromptons. They are cool, functional, zippy, easy-rider bikes. You like your Thorn Rohloff bikes, Lee: can't see you not liking a Brommie.

Would particularly recommend for the use you suggest. A couple of years ago my then-gf was off to Spain on a family holiday with another family. She didn't like the idea of 2 weeks with no bike so took my Brommie. Everyone, including four teenagers, wanted to ride it, everyday. It came back in the same condition it went, too

and is currently on loan to a friend who uses it for shopping etc

LittleWheelsandBig · « **Reply #20 on:** 01 May, 2008, 10:56:08 pm »

Quote from: Mal Volio on 01 May, 2008, 05:07:21 pm

Phil Wood front Brommie hub anyone ?

One of about 7 in the world...

Valiant · « **Reply #21 on:** 02 May, 2008, 08:10:41 pm »

Just to put the matter first, I do actually like Brommies, hence my recent trying to snap Charlottes hands off for her red one. T'was a poor attempt at humour

Julian · « **Reply #22 on:** 02 May, 2008, 09:33:10 pm »

But strangely accurate. They're still not real bikes.

My first try on a Brompton was about two miles to the pub and back on Mrs. Wow's. I really didn't like it. The news that I was about to do a full CTC ride on one filled me with dread, to be honest.

At first it was a bit bouncy. Like riding a pogo stick on wheels. The brakes are dismal and downhill the handling is interesting. Uphill, I couldn't get enough purchase, if that's the right word.

But despite all my intentions to really hate it, I thoroughly enjoyed the 35 mile CTC ride on it. I'm not sure I'd want to go much further on one, but my Brommie-hatred has diminished. They are useful, and once I was used to how it handled, and reassured myself that I was in control of it, I rather liked the Miss Marple feel of it.

You never know. At some time in the future I might have a Brompton on my N+1 list.

It's still below a tandem trike on that list though.

bikenerd · « **Reply #23 on:** 02 May, 2008, 09:37:20 pm »

Quote from: Tom B on 01 May, 2008, 06:37:11 pm

Sorry, I'm not Liz or Charlotte but just about everyone, except maybe some hard-core roadies or MTBers, likes Bromptons.

I prefer Moultons (okay, not strictly foldable), Bike Fridays and Birdys.

The Brompton was a good design, at the time, but it needs a bit of an update.
<runs>
Edit: there will be an Oxford Ice Cream ride this year and I'm thinking of making it a (n optional) small wheel ride.

Frenchie · « **Reply #24 on:** 02 May, 2008, 09:38:52 pm »

Quote from: Tom B on 01 May, 2008, 06:37:11 pm

Sorry, I'm not Liz or Charlotte but just about everyone, except maybe some hard-core roadies or MTBers, likes Bromptons.

I don't or rather didn't.

Sorry. I don't think I am that hard core either, but I like a fast, stiff ride*.

I ended up buying a Dahon. I like it. (They are very well equipped and better designed than the Brompton for riding I would say, and the fold is suitable for my needs.) ~~Very~~ Too much. I ride ca. 30 Mi on it several times a week at present.

Great shots though, Liz and Charlotte.

* which the Dahon is.

Author Topic: Liz and Charlotte go to Northern Ireland (Read 8979 times)

LEE

border-rider

bikenerd