Oigami ride July 11th - Hathersage

Our July 11th Origami ride is from Hathersage, Derbyshire. All welcome - more details are here.

Tin Can Ten - Saturday 4th July

The Tin can Ten is a fun event for hub geared bikes only. This year it is on Saturday July 4th. More details are here.

Brompton World Championship 2009

Details of the 2009 event are now appearing - see below:

"The Brompton World Championship IV will be held on Sunday 4th October 2009 at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire. After a successful collaboration in 2008, both Brompton and Blenheim were keen to join forces again, and the 2009 Brompton World Championship will again be part of the Blenheim Palace event.

The Brompton World Championship is in its fourth successive year, its second in the UK. The Championship will again be larger and better than the one that went before, and to reflect this, the field has been opened up to another 100 competitors, bringing the total number of entrants to 600. Although places will still be awarded on a first come first served basis, in the light of the increased numbers, we will introduce a system of self-selected streaming, based on anticipated race times.

The 2009 event will be held over the same circuit as the 2008 race, comprising 2 laps of a 6.5km course, so you will have the opportunity to race not just against friends and fellow competitors this year, but also to see how your efforts stack up against the times set by BWC IIII winner, Alistair Kay, and Tour of Spain winner, Roberto Heras, last September.

Rules for the event are pretty straightforward, as in the year before: helmets are a must, as are a blazer or suit jacket, collared shirt and tie. Sports attire is not permitted, unless it is hidden by the approved kit! There are prizes for the best-dressed, so competitors are encouraged to make an effort.

Prize Categories

Fastest Male and Female (1st, 2nd, 3rd places to be awarded)
Fastest Veteran Male and Female (50 +) * NEW SPLIT CATEGORY
Fastest Junior (12 - 18)
Best Dressed Male and Female * NEW SPLIT CATEGORY
Fastest Team (1st, 2nd, 3rd places to be awarded)

The deadline for registration is Sunday 20th September 2009. Full details, and the opportunity to register, may be found on the Brompton website: www.brompton.co.uk."

Dahon Mu P8 test report

Thanks to Paul Franklin we now have a review of the Dahon Mu P8 - you can read it HERE. Sorry - you can only access it from here at present, not from the test reports nor the Dahon SIG pages.

Origami ride - 13th June 2009 - Oakham

The June Origami ride will start from Oakham (Rutland) on Saturday 13th. Meet at 10:30 for an 11:00 start, upstairs at The Lounge Café, 2B Gaol Street Oakham LE15 6AQ. More details can be found here. All are welcome.

Origami ride - 9th May 2009 - Bicester

Our May 9th Origami ride will start in Bicester. More details are here. All welcome !

Origami ride - Saturday 11th April - Wolverhampton

Our April 11th 2009 Origami ride will be from Wolverhampton railway station. More details are here. All welcome

Pacific Cycles IF Mode Award

Press Release from Pacific Cycles

We’d like to share good news to everybody!

First ever folding bicycle to win iF Product Design GOLD Award

Hannover, Germany 3 March 2009 – During the opening day of CeBit; the world's largest trade fair for digital IT and telecommunications solutions, international Forum Design hosted an awards ceremony announcing the winners of the 50 iF gold awards. Representing Pacific Cycles at the ceremony to accept the iF gold trophy was Mark Sanders, the design inventor and creator. Mark spoke to the audience of fellow designers and international media regarding the unique focus that Pacific Cycles' Integrated Folding Mode bicycle achieves.

About the IF Mode

The clean and striking MODE is aimed at commuters that may have not considered cycling or folding bikes as an option. MODE avoids oily chains, complex tubes with hidden dirt traps and the clutter of traditional bike features. It can be used by commuters who do not want to change their appearance into 'bicycle warriors'. MODE features Pacific's IF (Integrated Folding) technology that offers a single-action, automatic fold that requires no tools or removal of parts. IF technology is based on a patented 3-dimensional 4-Bar linkage that automatically guides the wheels together when folding. Once folded, MODE rolls along in a convenient wheelable package.

Where to see the Pacific Cycles iF Mode

For those of you lucky enough to be visiting the Taiwan Cycle Show starting March 17th, drop by the Pacific Cycles booth for a firsthand look and demonstration of this new generation of wheelable transport featuring their Integrated Folding Technology. IF Mode will also be shown outside by Pacific Cycles' Taiwan distributor, Hometec, in the test ride area at OD_12.

Click here to watch a video of IF Mode being put through its paces by Ryan Carroll, Chief Designer, as he travels around town.

Origami ride - March 14th 2009 - Meriden

Details for our March 14th 2009 Origami ride from Meriden are here. All welcome !

Moulton and Chair Comment !!!!

Found this Moulton on the London Fixed-gear and Single-speed forums. Maybe you would like to note your comments about the comparison of a chair with a Moulton here???? http://s13.invisionfree.com/Folding_World/

Brompton Folding Transfer

MACRIDE New Website

Check out the latest Website

THE NEW ELMWOOD CYCLE RIDE 10th May 2009

Looking for a ride to get your self fit for 2009? Then why not join one of our regular Origami riders is supporting this event:

THE NEW ELMWOOD CYCLE RIDE SUNDAY 10th MAY 2009 IN AID OF THE BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION

This year the NEW Elmwood Cycle Ride takes place on Sunday 10th May 2009.

Having taken over the organising of the event last year, I am delighted to tell you that through your efforts we raised just over £4500, all for the benefit of the British Heart Foundation. I hope that you will support this year's event and help make it an even bigger success in 2009.

The start point is once again at Wren Hall, School Lane, Wroxall, CV35 7ND, with a choice of two routes of approximately 16 and 30 miles. As you are aware, this is a lovely way to spend a Sunday with friends and family, exercising and enjoying the beautiful scenery whilst raising vital funds for the charity. After the ride you can tuck into a well deserved free Ploughman's lunch. Then, new this year, after your lunch, you are welcome to stay in and around Wren Hall, where from 2:30pm to 5:00pm we will be serving tea and locally made cakes and gateaux at very affordable prices, again in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

Entry form available at the address below, as early as possible.

Prizes will be awarded for the most sponsorship monies raised by an individual entrant and family entry.
Many of the raffle prizes were generously donated by riders and supporters, if you would like to donate a raffle prize for this year's event, please let me know.

If you would like any more information or more entry forms, please contact me either by: Tel: 01926 484677 or 07791 506921 or

email:chrislewis@theoldbungalow.freeserve.co.uk I look forward to seeing you all again. Yours sincerely
Chris Lewis
Organiser of the NEW Elmwood Cycle Ride For The British Heart Foundation

Patron: • HRH The Prince Phillip KG KT
Chairman of Board of Trustees* Howard Hughes FCA

Chris Lewis,
The Old Bungalow,
Honiley
Kenilworth,
Warwickshire
CV81NP
February 2009
Chairman of Council • Sir Peter Morris AC PhD FRS FRCS
Chief Executive • Peter Hollins
Heart Information Line • 0300 330 3311 • a local rate number
British Heart Foundation Web Site http://www.bhf.org.uk/

Bikes on Trains - New EU guidlines

There is a good post about the future of bikes on trains on the Velovision web site LINK

Dahon's Curl (inspired by Brompton)

Thank you TCS for the following information:

Dahon has entered their Curl super-compact folder into the new product competition at the 2009 Taipei Cycle Show in March:

http://download.taipeitradeshows.com.tw/2009/cycle/Show_Preview/P30-35.pdf

Rumors are aluminum frame, eight-speed hub, 16" (349s?) wheels.

tcs

Plus otheer interesting entries.

Bike Right Easter 2009

A cycling event for folders, recumbents and other cycles (riders can come too) based at Longridge Towers - Berwick-upon-Tweed. Contact Jason Patient for full details:

http://www.velovision.co.uk/cgi-bin/show_comments.pl?storynum=974

Bike Right bookings open
Jason Patient writes about Bike Right - search this site for many previous event reports, most recently here:
http://www.velovision.co.uk/forum-new/read.php?3,3356

The sociable and friendly cycling get together - 2009 Easter BikeRite
Venue: Longridge Towers School, Berwick upon Tweed
3 nights - Friday 10th, Sat 11th, Sun 12th.... April

That's 3 overnights, 3 breakfasts, 3 evening meals and 4 days of cycling.
Arrive before 11am on Friday and you'll have time to go cycling, otherwise ensure you arrive before 6.30pm in time for the meal serving. Departures before 5pm Monday 13th after the 4th day of cycling.

The fee covers accommodation for three nights at Longridge Towers School and includes bed, breakfasts and evening meals. The food is top quality and portions generous. The school and participants are not responsible for organising rides or activities off site of the school premises. Despite there being no formal ride leaders or route organisers the surrounding area is ideal for cycling and with so many enthusiasts staying at the school there will be plenty of opportunities to go out cycling together each day.

Prices per adult person: Dormitory: L75; Single: L95; Twin: L105; Twin en Suite: L130; Campervan: L65. To book, cheques payable to "Longridge Towers School" and posted to Jason Patient, 1 Church Lane, Coldstream TD12 4DG. Enquiries phone 01890 883408 or email patientjason@gmail.com

Gocycle - exclusive first hand-on review!

Peter Eland of of Velovison has notified us of his review Link Here

Dahon Curve Folding Demo

One of our new FlickR members has sent in a link to a video titled Dahon Curve D3 Tour - fold, unfold and Zorin post pump.

Click Here

February Origami Ride

Our February 14th Origami ride starts from Milton Keynes railway station. More details are here. All welcome !

Diary Date Macride 13th September 2009

A group of riders have enjoyed these rides in the past, there is a choice of routes. Take a look at the web site for details. A good chance to let other cyclists see your bikes.

FLICKR Origami - Phoenix

Link to"Flickr" Origami-Phoenix group.........Photos

Early days at the moment

Origami Jan 09 Report

11 Riders met at the RAF Museum Cosford in sub zero temperatures. Their offer of a free hot drink for visitors arriving by cycle was most welcome. Thank you Cosford. Three Birdy reds were a reminder of past rides when numbers were greater. Welcome to a new rider on his ICE Trice QNT. Other riders rode: Dahon x 1 Brompton x 1 Moultons x 5. 1 puncture, the first in 2009!

1) Wrapping up warm for the ride. The distance was reduced by 10 miles to 15 today due to the weather. Buzzard count on route was 7.


2) Arriving at the Red Lion for hot food.


3) This was an opportune time to try out the "Powergrip" foot straps fitted to the Trice, which we thought may offer an alternative to wearing cycle specific shoes when touring.



4) On our return, due to the icy approach, we chose the safer option of using the foot bridge over the ford.



5) The reduced ride allowed us to have a look around the museum Site Plan


6) A folding motorised bike

7) Checking out the planes


8) Stacked planes

Thanks to Paul for a most enjoyable day on the Shropshire lanes.

2009 Origami rides

The 2009 calender for our Origami rides has been published here.

Origami ride - January 10th 2009 - RAF Museum Cosford

Our January 2009 Origami ride will start from the excellent RAF Museum in Cosford, Staffordshire. All welcome - more details are here.

Folder Forum

No, not the famous Folder Forum gatherings coordinated by the Henshaws several years ago - the original Folding Society, before "The Folder" morphed into "A to B" magazine to encompass aspects besides folding bikes. The online Folding Society you are reading was created by Mike Hessey after the magazine name change.

This time we are referring to the online folding bike forum at http://s13.invisionfree.com/Folding_World/ The forum is run by Steve Sparrow and is not part of the Folding Society website. It is early days yet but we wish him all the best.

December 13th Origami - Birmingham

Our December 13th Origami ride will be in Birmingham. More details are here

November 08 Origami Ride Photos

Thanks to Dr Dave for his pictures of the ride from Meriden to Coleshill Photos Link Text Link

Rebecca Romero tests folding bikes

Rebecca Romero, UK Olympic cycling gold medallist, tested folding bikes for 'The Gadget Show'. Video clip here.
The Brompton was described as 'a cool design classic'

November Origami ride - 8th November - Meriden

The November Origami ride will start from Meriden on Saturday November 8th. Full details are here. All welcome !

St Neot's Origami Photo Link

Follow this link to see the ride photos by Dr Dave.

Thanks Dave.

Ocober 11th Origami ride - St Neots

Our October Origami ride will start from Caffe Nero in St Neots. See here for more details. All welcome !

Another F1 Folding Bike Designer

BikeBiz report that composite specialist John Barnard (first composite F1 chassis) is working on developing a new high end folding bike. Given the results of F1 designer Jon Whyte's forays into bike design (Whyte MTB and Mezzo folder), Barnard's efforts may be well worth watching.

Brompton World Championship Reports and Results

Cycling Weekly reports that the recent Brompton World Championships held at Blenheim Palace produced a surprise result.

Roberto Heras was the Spanish contingent's secret weapon, the retired professional racer having won three Tours of Spain. The Spanish had organised the previous two Brompton World Championships and were hoping to retain the distinction of being the only nationality to hold the title but Alastair Kay became the first British Brompton World Champion.

The full results are available on the Brompton website, along with individual lap times. The official photos can be found on the Sportivephoto website.

Folding Society member Tejvan Pettinger has a report with some excellent photos on his blog