Brompton Mod - combines a P-type stem with S-type handlebars

Thank you to Anatoly Ivanov for the following email

"Dear Folding Society,

First of all, I'd like to use the occasion to say a big thank you for the
tons of great material you provide on your website and blog. I regularly
find interesting stories about all things cycling-foldable. A great source!

If I may contribute in some way, I would like to suggest to take a look at
my article about my modified Brompton P3L.

It combines a P-type stem with S-type handlebars, MKS removable toe-straps
pedals, slicks and even a pedalling cadence sensor / computer to make a
compact but fast folder that emulates a road bike:
http://www.anatolyivanov.com/prose/en/AI.7.00108/

I haven't seen this done to a Brompton anywhere, so I thought it would be
interesting to share.

Thanks a lot,Best,

ANATOLY IVANOV / PHOTOGRAPHY / DESIGN / PROSE
http://www.anatolyivanov.com"

Salford Nocturne Folding Bike Race

Following on from the success of the last year's and this year's Smithfield Nocturne, the Salford Nocturne will take place at the end of this month. Olympic gold medalists Chris Hoy, Geraint Thomas and Ed Clancy will head the line up. Entries for the supporting folding bike race close on the 22nd.

Origami ride - 13th September - Ledbury

Our next Origami ride will be on September 13th, from Ledbury. We'll follow the Cider route through the lanes. More details are here.

Fully suspended folding recumbent trike

Velovision have flagged the release of HP Velotechnik's new folding recumbent trike, with suspension on all three wheels. Details of the "Scorpion fs" can be found at the Velovision website and HP Velotechnik website.

On the Buses

The Harrogate Advertiser has an article highlighting a nurse commuting between Harrogate and York by bus and folding bike. It seems there is at least one Yorkshire bus company that is happy to encourage folding bikes on buses.

Origami Ride record?

Despite a very bad weather forecast, 17 riders turned up for the August Origami Ride at Oxford. Bromptons and Dahons were the most common bikes, but amongst the other machines were a Mezzo and a Birdy, and at least one Moulton. Even though the forecast was bad, we actually did not fare too badly, and though there was light to moderate rain somteimes, it did not detract from the ride. More of a problem were the many punctures (I think that 4 is a record for these rides, and a tyre blowing off the rim) and several cases of minor mechanical malfunctions. All credit is due to our lunch-stop pub which handled our late (and in some cases VERY late) arrival very smoothly.

Thanks are due to all those who braved the predicted weather conditions, and of course to ride organiser Chris Eley - not only did the leader suffer a punctures, but so did the sweeper (myself). Incidentally, the punctures occurred in very different locations and riding conditions, and I think that they were all on different models of tyre (though all Schwalbe I suspect, which is simply a reflection of the availability and popularity of their products for small-wheeled bikes).

A-bike Plus?

It seems that a new model of the A-bike (Clive Sinclair's most recent personal transport item) is currently being released. The A-bike Plus at first glance appears very similar to the original model, released in a flurry of publicity a couple of years ago. According to the A-bike forum, the improvements include strengthened tubing and drive mechanisms and a more comfortable saddle.

MACRIDE New Website

Take a look at the new Website for the 7th September 2008 Macrides starting out from Stratford upon Avon. This is event is strongly recomended for great orgainisation and scenic country routes. Easy parking at the start.

Our new website at [www.macride.org.uk] has seen lots of visitors ... ONLINE ENTRIES are coming in together with orders for MacRide jerseys - have YOU entered yet?

Charge your phone on the go using the wind

This wind phone charger may be good for cycle tours. Link There may be other suppliers of this item.

Brompton World Championships

The Brompton Marketing Department appears to be in overdrive at present - this is the latest release regarding the World Championships which we have mentioned previously (we do NOT always react to press releases, but this image is too good for us not to share it). Right to left (I think?) Nigel Saffery, Manufacturing Manager at Brompton Bicycle and two time competitor of the Brompton World Championship, Katharine Horsman, Marketing Executive at Brompton Bicycle and Olli Moore, Gorilla, Powertraveller.

Google Maps cycle option

Google gave away many bikes to 2000 employees some time ago, including a folding model, to minimise their environmental impact. There is now a petition for Google to add a cycling directions option to Google Maps, along with the car, public transport and walking options. More details in the S.F. Cycling Examiner

SmartPlanet.com's Five Folders

SmartPlanet does a quick review of five folders: Brompton, Dahon, Pinnacle, Puma and the first Mezzo d-10 review I've noticed.

Brompton World Championship update

Brompton have issued another press release about this event at Blenheim Palace on 28th September 2008, which includes details of the sponsors, prizes, and applications to take part:

"... Applications for places in the Brompton World Championship are running well ahead of schedule, with over half of places already snapped up. The early enthusiasm for this event has been matched, and in part driven, by some great coverage, both online and in print (editorial and advertising) in the national and specialist press.
Brompton dealers the world over are receiving in-store materials publicising the World Championship about now, and we expect applications from overseas to grow markedly over the next fortnight; we expect the event to be full long before registration officially closes on Sunday 14th September."

You can find out more about this event at http://www.brompton.co.uk/bwc/index.asp

Sales and Wants List

We have decided to terminate the Sales and Wants List page - no new entries will be accepted, and the existing list will be removed at the end of August 2008.

Brompton World Champions 2008

Once you have trained for the Warwick Cycle Races you can take you Brompton to Race at Blenhiem...............O^O......O^O.............Link

The 3rd Brompton World Championship will be held on Sunday 28th September 2008 at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, as part of the Bike Blenheim Palace event.

Bike Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace, in conjunction with British Cycling, is opening its magnificent Park (a World Heritage site) to cycling for the first time.

The day will be based around an event village, featuring stalls and exhibits, and refreshment facilities; the programme of events for the village arena includes vintage bikes, unicycling, bike polo, a mountain bike stunt team, and cycle skills for children, as well as many other activities.

But the main draw will be the cycling. Everyone will have the chance to explore the grounds on two wheels for the first time, and to watch some racing and time trialling. Above all...

The Brompton World Championship

Building on its first two successful years, this will be bigger and better than ever before, with up to 500 competitors on Brompton bikes taking part.

The Brompton World Championship is not a mass participation ride, it is a race: participants will be timed whilst completing a set number of laps on a specified course, as in previous years.

There will be prizes for the fastest competitors in the following categories: Men, Women, Junior (under 17), Veteran (60 plus) and Team, as well as Best-Dressed.

Please see the option below to register for coach travel to and from the event; this will be open to competitors and up to four accompanying supporters. Or see a map and directions to the venue. For those travelling from further afield, we have partnered with BRITISH AIRWAYS to offer attendees discounts on airfares; details will be made available after registration.

To minimise complications on the day, UK residents will receive their entry pack, including race number and timing chip, by mail before the event; overseas competitors will receive theirs on the day of the event.

Please ensure that you have read the rules of the race in full before you complete the entry form; your attention is particularly drawn to the dress requirements. By registering for the Brompton World Championship 2008, you agree to abide by these terms and rules.

The deadline for registration is Sunday 14th September 2008. The entry fee of £17.50 is payable when you have completed the registration process; this will include your entrance fee to the Palace grounds and insurance for racing.

• Location »

Warwick Races

Although not specifically folding orientated there are race options for UNI-cycles and an open race that may allow folding bikes. An interesting day, allowing close observation the racing in the centre of Warwick. Link

The etiquette of bike parking

Here is a link to an interesting article on the BBC website. The is mention of folding bikes

Folders East and West

Moritz Voltz has garnered several notices on the Folding Society news page, the Fulham footballer eschews the typical flashy cars, preferring his folding bike. The Observer notes that Volz has earned the Community Champion Award for his work as a Prince's Trust ambassador and his fundraising Folding Bike Monopoly Race.

The Financial Times has a short article on Brompton Bicycles' plans for expansion.

According to roadcyclinguk.com, West Sussex County Council will soon employ half a dozen folding bikes to enable their highway inspectors to check roads from a cyclist's point of view and to check their off-road bikepaths.