Two more folding recumbent bicycles

If you are interested in a folding recumbent bike, two more new machines are the The Nazca Paseo (see http://www.ligfiets.net/nieuws/bericht.php3?id=2153&taal=en&volledig=1 and the Mistral Travel (see http://www.ligfiets.net/nieuws/bericht.php3?id=2188&taal=en&volledig=1.

History in India

Delhi Newsline has an article on the History on Wheels club. Despite concentrating on motorcycles, a motorised WW2 BSA 'Paratrooper' is plenty good enough for us.

City Cycling

The current edition of City Cycling includes another installment in the pursuit of the Secret Folding Society.

ICE recumbent bicycle

Both 'BentRider Online and Velo Vision have pictures of a prototype recumbent folding bicycle from Inspired Cycle Engineering - makers of the Trice range of recumbent tricycles. Apparently an official announcement will follow soon, although it is likely to be a few months before it goes into production.

Dahon across America

MyWestTexas.com notes that Peter Richards is pedalling his Dahon Zero-G across America 50 years after graduating from MIT.

Folders Targeted Near Canary Wharf

The Wharf have a story that cyclists on Bromptons are being targeted by muggers stealing their bikes near Limehouse in London.

Stratford upon Avon Mac Ride 2007 Cycling Jersey Available. Be Quick

I thought you would like to know that the MacRide cycling jersey is now featured on the website at www.macride.org.uk with an order form to download. Delivery is expected on 1 May and orders will be despatched as soon as the stock arrives.

The jerseys have been funded by our sponsors so all the money from donations for the jerseys goes to Macmillan Cancer Support.

We have a limited stock - when they've gone, they've gone for 2007.

... and don't forget to send your entry form in!

Thanks

Rob

MacRide 2007

Cycle 25, 50 or 63 (100Km) miles for Macmillan Cancer Support

Sunday 9 September 2007 at Stratford-upon-Avon

Details at : www.macride.org.uk

Pedalling Pollies

The BBC report that Clackmannshire councillors are being asked to ride to meetings on a fleet of bikes, including a folder for use with public transport. It will be interesting to see if Clackmannshire (in Scotland) becomes more bike-friendly over time.

Brompton model and price changes

Brompton has announced some changes to the model range and also to some prices - nothing very radical. They are also to revise their web site in the not too distant future. Details can be found here.

What a way to run a Cycleway

The main national cycleway from Birmingham to Wolverhampton runs along the canal towpath, and it is CLOSED near Sandwell and Dudley Station. There is a completely impassable wooden barrier, with no helpful signs on it (or before you reach this point), and no means of leaving the towpath here from the Birmingham direction. Retracing one's path to the previous bridge (c 1Km), you can get onto the old canal under a motorway, with (eventually) missing and misleading signs; the towpath here is very poor, and there are no signs to suggest how you would return to the new main line towpath. If I were not at least slightly familiar with the area, I would probably still be there trying to find my way out. Next time you feel inclined to criticise the railway service, or road signs, you might like to remember how poorly cycle riders are catered for on major cycle routes (this is not the first time I have had problems of this kind). If you want to take a train from Birmingham to Wolverhampton instead, there are no restrictions on bikes at any time on the local Centro trains, but for Virgin etc you will usually need to fold.

Paris Tours

There is a new company offering guided cycling tours of Paris, together with bike rentals. Their link with this website? Bike About Tours use Dahon folding bikes.

April Origami Ride

The April Origami Ride starts from Tring railway station. Meet from 10:30 for an 11:00 start. The weather forecast for Saturday remains good, so we're looking forward to seeing you there!

"Dahon boss praises Brompton"

18:45, Apr 4th 2007, Carlton Reid on the Bikebiz web site reports:
"Josh Hon, son of Dahon founder Dr David Hon, has posted a comment to the trade-only forum of BikeBiz.com. This was in response to a heated debate between Dahon's UK agent and the marketing manager for Brompton. Hon writes: "A person on a bike, even if another brand, is a lot better than that same person in a car."

For the complete article, see http://www.bikebiz.co.uk/news/26434/Dahon-boss-praises-Brompton. Incidentally, don't take the reference to a heated debate too seriously - Mark assures me it was just light-hearted leg-pulling, and he sent me a copy of this link!

A Message From Jon Snow "Cycling and rail travel are perfect partners"

The following text is from an email I received from the CTC

"Cycling and rail travel are perfect partners. The combination provides a 'doorstep-to-destination' option for longer-distance journeys which might otherwise be possible only by car. It is also a really simple way to set about tackling a whole range of problems all in one go: obesity, air pollution, congestion and climate change to name but a few!

The Government is currently working on a White Paper which will determine rail policy and spending plans for the next 30 years. It's due out in July, so the time to influence it is right now.

You can automatically email your MP urging them to support cycle-rail integration using a website set up by CTC - the UK's national cyclists' organisation. Personal anecdotes about the problems (or examples of good practice) you have encountered will help them to impress on Ministers that this is an issue which really needs addressing.

So I'd urge you to visit www.ctc.org.uk/cyclerail and follow the instructions from there. And do pass this message onto other cyclist friends. Remember this is a "once in 30 years" opportunity to influence Government policy on this vital issue. Please get emailing - every message counts!


Yours in cycling

Jon Snow
President"
CTC, the national cyclists' organisation"

LIDL bargains

Mike Roberts reports: "LIDL stores have been selling various cycling items this last week, at very reasonable prices. There is a large 35 piece tool kit in its own case for £18. This has many special bike tools including chain tool, crank and freewheel extractors. A small toolkit bag to fit under the saddle with quick release fittings, complete with tools and puncture repair kit for only £2.99 is a give-away (£5.99 one not such good value?). There are also mini-pumps, saddles, pedals, Allan keys and cycle clothes."

A trio of Trices

Recumbent tricycles seem to be growing in popularity, and more designs which provide a means of folding are becoming available too. However, it's still not very common to see several at the same time, at least in my area, so it was good to have an opportunity to ride with Trevor & Irene Batchelor on Saturday 31 March. Trevor & Irene have a large Volvo estate, so they can transport both their Trice QNTs without folding, but full advantage has to be taken of the ability to fold and separate to get mine into the Smart ForTwo! A slighly longer version of this report is available here.

Dahon bargain

Eric Reed reports: "Action Bikes in Bargate Street Southampton city centre have a special offer on the dark blue coloured Dahon Speed D7 2006 model, at only £199.99, which is £100 off the normal RRP. They had 4 left this morning Saturday 31 March."