"I *heart* commuting"; or The Man Who Folded

davek said:

Got to try out the Brompton this morning on a proper commute for the
first time and what a splendid experience it was, too. I've been
working at home for the past few weeks so the only excuse to use it so
far has been going to the shop to get the paper, which doesn't quite
cut the mustard.

Smile number one: When I wheeled it on to the platform this morning I
didn't start to fold until the train was already pulling in - and still
managed to finish collapsing it down to that ever-so-neat little
package before the train had stopped moving.

Smile number two: pootling through Hyde Park on a beautiful spring
morning. When I used to bring the full-size road bike, I was a bit of a
heads-down, hell-for-leather kind of commuter. But there's something
about the Brompton that makes you just want to enjoy the scenery a bit
more. Perhaps it's the more-upright riding position. Not that it's a
particularly slow way of travelling - slower than the road bike, of
course, but I whizzed past many people on clunky hybrids with their fat
chunky tyres and rubbish suspension. Ha!

Smile number three: as I hopped off at the other end, scooting up to
the front door of the office and neatly flicking the back wheel under,
I got a lovely admiring smile from a very attractive young lady who
just happened to be passing by. Oh yes, get a Brompton and you will
pull!

Smile number four: getting to show off the fold-unfold technique to my
colleagues, who were all suitably impressed.

Smile number five: the thought that I didn't have to play sardines on
the Circle Line this morning.

You've not yet found Smile number six then. The manoeuvrability when
traffic jamming that allows you to sail down a line of stationary
traffic with ease.

--
Tony

"The best way I know of to win an argument is to start by being in the
right."
- Lord Hailsham

Tony Raven said:

davek said:

Smile number one:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Smile number two:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Smile number three:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Smile number four:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Smile number five:

You've not yet found Smile number six then. The manoeuvrability when
traffic jamming that allows you to sail down a line of stationary
traffic with ease.

Then Smile number seven when you pass the school gates and they all call out
"cool bike mate".

John B

"John B" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Then Smile number seven when you pass the school gates and they all call
out
"cool bike mate".

MTB tandems get more cred :-)

cheers,
clive

Quoted message said:

Smile number one: When I wheeled it on to the platform this morning I
didn't start to fold until the train was already pulling in - and still
managed to finish collapsing it down to that ever-so-neat little
package before the train had stopped moving.

First time I saw a Brompton fold in anger the train had just pulled in and
the Railway bod yelled out in their charming way "oi, no bikes in that
carriage" then stared in amazement as the bicycle appeared to dissolve in
front of his eyes.

John B said:

Then Smile number seven when you pass the school gates and they all call out
"cool bike mate".

I find that "cool bike mate" when I'm on the move past a school at
chucking out time has the unmistakable tinge of irony, /unless/
they see The Fold in action, in which case it sounds rather more
genuine!

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Peter Clinch said:

John B said:

Then Smile number seven when you pass the school gates and they all
call out "cool bike mate".

I find that "cool bike mate" when I'm on the move past a school at
chucking out time has the unmistakable tinge of irony, /unless/
they see The Fold in action, in which case it sounds rather more
genuine!

A friend was asked whether he was learning, and if he'd get a proper big
bike when he'd finished learning.

However, mentioning that it has rear suspension also helps the "cool"
factor....

- Nigel

--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

Peter Clinch said:

John B said:

Then Smile number seven when you pass the school gates and they all call out
"cool bike mate".

I find that "cool bike mate" when I'm on the move past a school at
chucking out time has the unmistakable tinge of irony,

Try riding with your sack of coal ;-)

John B

Peter Clinch said:

John B said:

Then Smile number seven when you pass the school gates and they all call out
"cool bike mate".

I find that "cool bike mate" when I'm on the move past a school at
chucking out time has the unmistakable tinge of irony, /unless/
they see The Fold in action, in which case it sounds rather more
genuine!

We were riding the Pino past some yoofs.

"Wicked bike mate"

My reply of "Yes, it goes with my wicked wife" earnt me a clip round
the ear from Mrs. Hall.

Tim

Nigel Cliffe said:

Peter Clinch said:

John B said:

Then Smile number seven when you pass the school gates and they all
call out "cool bike mate".

I find that "cool bike mate" when I'm on the move past a school at
chucking out time has the unmistakable tinge of irony, /unless/
they see The Fold in action, in which case it sounds rather more
genuine!

A friend was asked whether he was learning, and if he'd get a proper big
bike when he'd finished learning.

However, mentioning that it has rear suspension also helps the "cool"
factor....

Extra large yellow skateboard wheels really help too :-)

John B

Mark Thompson said:

Quoted message said:

Smile number one: When I wheeled it on to the platform this morning I
didn't start to fold until the train was already pulling in - and still
managed to finish collapsing it down to that ever-so-neat little
package before the train had stopped moving.

First time I saw a Brompton fold in anger the train had just pulled in and
the Railway bod yelled out in their charming way "oi, no bikes in that
carriage" then stared in amazement as the bicycle appeared to dissolve in
front of his eyes.

I took the Dahon on the train last week. Helpful man in uniform
"bikes go up the front ... oh, I see, OK", as the train pulled in
and the bike folded. Bike of course went on the normal luggage rack.

--
not me guv

In article <[email hidden]>, John B <[email hidden]>
writes

Quoted message said:

Then Smile number seven when you pass the school gates and they all call out
"cool bike mate".

I thought so too, until a much younger than me work colleague, who also
though sporadically cycled to work, took the wind out my sails somewhat
when he commented 'folding bikes are so uncool'. Later I read a similar
remark either in a lad's mag or Sunday supplement which listed things
that were in and out. Must be true, then.

Months earlier, the same colleague had said that my 20-year-old Evans
looked 'really old fashioned'.

--
congokid
Eating out in London? Read my tips...
http://congokid.com

In article <[email hidden]>,
davek <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Smile number four: getting to show off the fold-unfold technique to my
colleagues, who were all suitably impressed.

I got a lot of that shortly after I bought mine in the summer of 2001,
but I hear it less frequently these days as there appear to be about 10
times more Bromptons around.

--
congokid
Eating out in London? Read my tips...
http://congokid.com

congokid said:

I thought so too, until a much younger than me work colleague, who also
though sporadically cycled to work, took the wind out my sails somewhat
when he commented 'folding bikes are so uncool'.

I think you should direct him to Airnimal's website and ask if he still
thinks that when he's looked at the Rhino and the Chameloen...

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

In article <[email hidden]>, Peter Clinch
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

I think you should direct him to Airnimal's website and ask if he still
thinks that when he's looked at the Rhino and the Chameloen...

Never thought about that at the time, though since I have neither, that
leaves me still desperately uncool.

--
congokid
Eating out in London? Read my tips...
http://congokid.com

congokid said:

In article <[email hidden]>, John B <[email hidden]>
writes

Quoted message said:

Then Smile number seven when you pass the school gates and they all call out
"cool bike mate".

I thought so too, until a much younger than me work colleague, who also
though sporadically cycled to work, took the wind out my sails somewhat
when he commented 'folding bikes are so uncool'. Later I read a similar
remark either in a lad's mag or Sunday supplement which listed things
that were in and out. Must be true, then.

Months earlier, the same colleague had said that my 20-year-old Evans
looked 'really old fashioned'.

My assistant cycle trainer today had a high-spec drop bar touring machine.
The kids called it an old grandma's bike.

John B