Brompton York Arrow

[tkatzir]

Hi,

Now that there are several Brompton owners here,
would you (at least 2) be interested in a Brompton arrow to York?

I haven't figured out a route yet,
but I believe it should start from the factory in Brentford,
go through the Brompton Oratory in South Kensington London, and end in one of the 3 Bromptons in North Yorkshire:
Brompton, Brompton-on-Swale, or Brompton, Northallerton.

Tal.

[border-rider]

Maaaaybe.

Are you intending to be in the UK next April then ?

Would be good to see you again.

[tkatzir]

Are you intending to be in the UK next April then ?

Why next April when there's one this June?
(There's a chance I'd be in the UK on the June 20th weekend.)

While we're at it, would you (or anyone else) know if the Summer Arrow counts as the required Fleche for the R5000 Award?

Tal.

[Ian H]

While we're at it, would you (or anyone else) know if the Summer Arrow counts as the required Fleche for the R5000 Award?

Tal.

Not for the ACP award. I believe AUK recognises it for their own brevet 5000.

[border-rider]

OK, sorry, in my mind "York Arrow" = Easter Arrow not Summer Arrow.  No good reason for that I guess, other than the non-counting by ACP

Anyway, in that case no.  Can't make June at all.

[tkatzir]

Not for the ACP award.

In that case - Keep this in mind for Easter.

I might need a recommendation for a(nother) calendar ride.
We'll start a new thread once relevant.

Tal.

[Charlotte]

Bugger, I can't make the Summer ones either.

But I live just down the road from the Brommie factory, own a Brommie and would love to take part.  I could probably put a few people up prior to the ride as well.

Does it have to be an arrow?

[duncan]

I'm generally up for long distance brompton rides too Next april is far too far in the future for me to have any idea though!

[tkatzir]

I'm generally up for long distance brompton rides too Next april is far too far in the future for me to have any idea though!

Why not just show up with your Brompton to this year's rides?

That's what I did 2 years ago, as well as PBP last year... 

Tal.

[duncan]

Why not just show up with your Brompton to this year's rides?

I do My fourth 200 of the year tomorrow. How was the Brompton for PBP?

Duncan

[tkatzir]

How was the Brompton for PBP?

You can read a lot about it in BromptonTalk, so just a shorthand here:

Changes from the stock bike:
Crankset: Specialites-TA Vega with 53/33 chainrings
Front derailleur: Shimano 105 mounted using SP
Grips: Ergon
Pedals: Shimano A520
Bags: Carradice Super C Rackbag, and a home-made small bag that fits the frame triangle

I had problems with the lockring of the Vega crankset, which meant I couldn't shift with the derailleur.
Well - I could shift, but the chain kept falling off to the inside, with only reserting to stop and put it back on by hand.
I estimate I lost about 3-5 hours because of this.

I started with the 90hr group at 22:10.
Because of the constant rain I used only long gloves, which I wasn't ready for.
The gloves were SJSC Neoprene full finger gloves, which don't have any padding.

After PBP I suffered from Guyon's Canal Syndrom in my left hand for about 3 months.

Other than the above - All worked well and according to plan.

I overslept in Mortagne for 1:40hrs more than I planned,
and had to rush the last 140km.

I got in at 89:57, with 3 minutes to spare.
The official time I got was 89:31.

To my knowledge, this is the first PBP for any Brompton.
(An Italian guy did LEL and BMB. I met him in PBP on a Bob Jackson. He DNF'd...)

Tal.

[duncan]

After PBP I suffered from Guyon's Canal Syndrom in my left hand for about 3 months.

I had that for a couple of months after riding my first 150 (didn't wear gloves...) It's quite disturbing, isn't it? There's always that faint feeling in the back of your mind that the feeling might not come back...

I am vaguely considering LEL at the moment Would you do it again?

Duncan

[tkatzir]

After PBP I suffered from Guyon's Canal Syndrom in my left hand for about 3 months.

I had that for a couple of months after riding my first 150 (didn't wear gloves...) It's quite disturbing, isn't it? There's always that faint feeling in the back of your mind that the feeling might not come back...

I had physiotherapy for more than a month after PBP.
I was assured the feeling would come back.

I (think I) learned the lesson, and try to drink with my left hand as well (in PBP I only used my right hand,)
as well as resting my hands off the handlebar from time to time.

So far I've had several 200's, which went very well.
I'll try to have at least a 400 this year.
(see more below)

I am vaguely considering LEL at the moment Would you do it again?

I've pre registered for LEL, and I'd like to do it, for various reasons.

I'm also thinking about the 1001 Miglia this year.
I'm still not sure about it.

I think I'm in better shape than this time last year,
so it's still a possibility.

I'll know for sure within a month.

If I do that, then I guess I'll try to do the LEL and another >= 1,200 in a 4th country.
You know, "because it's there"...
(Not to mention a fleche for an R5000 award.)

Tal.

[Ivo]

I do own a Brompton but I feel uncomfortable on it for anything over 5km. The saddle is the worst (and probably the easyest to swap), what bothers me most however is the enormous flex in the handlebars. I wouldn't feel confident on the roads in the nearby province on a Brommie. Bad fit is a major obstacle for me to do any longer rides on my Brompton. But I never regretted buying it.

[tkatzir]

I do own a Brompton but I feel uncomfortable on it for anything over 5km. The saddle is the worst (and probably the easyest to swap)

Brooks B-17 standard on mine.
I might get a Ti one if I feel like spending throwing my money.

You'll need a (Brompton) Pentaclip or similar if you want to fit a standard (2 rail) saddle.

what bothers me most however is the enormous flex in the handlebars.

Do you have the M-Type handlebars?
In that case, you might want to fit the Handlebar Brace from Brompton.

Tal.

[Ivo]

I do own a Brompton but I feel uncomfortable on it for anything over 5km. The saddle is the worst (and probably the easyest to swap)

Brooks B-17 standard on mine.
I might get a Ti one if I feel like spending throwing my money.

You'll need a (Brompton) Pentaclip or similar if you want to fit a standard (2 rail) saddle.

Something to hunt for then, I'll check if the shop where I bought my Brompton can get me one.

what bothers me most however is the enormous flex in the handlebars.

Do you have the M-Type handlebars?
In that case, you might want to fit the Handlebar Brace from Brompton.

Probably, I have a 2nd hand one so I guess the older model. When I start from a traffic light or such I have the feeling that I pull the whole front end out of joint So I doubt if a simple brace is enough to solve that problem.
Certainly not solving the lack of space, but then again, due to the flex I didn't experiment yet with any barextensions.

[border-rider]

I have an old Brommie, and I changed the bars for a standard flat bar with bar ends.   This doesn't flex.

I've done 150 k or so  on mine and it has been fine.  But PBP ? Very impressive