tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869360103115192026-08-16T22:11:19.544+01:00New blog post every SundayMy Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.comBlogger1607125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-17875805397384811442026-08-16T11:02:32.750+01:002026-08-16T11:02:32.884+01:00

Regular readers will know that I am rather fond of modernist and brutalist-influenced architecture, and in London you are never too far from a good example. Over the past year, I have spent quite a bit of time around the Barbican Estate, so it has provided a regular fix for someone who enjoys this particular style of architecture.I have always liked 140 London Wall, better known as Bastion House.

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-57559284364738262592026-08-09T17:50:01.469+01:002026-08-09T20:24:44.162+01:00

I hope that you are coping with the ongoing hotter weather. On a more serious note, it does confirm certain life choices. I do not travel on an aeroplane, have a hybrid car and use public transport, walk or cycle more than I use said car. As for the cycling, it is, of course, a Brompton, and owning one allows entry into the greatest sporting event of the year! The Brompton World Championships is

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-8366204267164040562026-08-02T15:35:16.822+01:002026-08-02T15:35:16.937+01:00

Last Sunday I joined Ross and a few others for the seventh installment of the ‘Quite Interesting Ride’ series. The gentleman that is Ross puts on some wonderful Sunday rides, and they are without doubt my favourites - despite the fact that he occasionally strays into south London rather than my more familiar north London. These rides are better than any London guided tour you could go on, and I

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-45965328763795431872026-07-31T19:19:49.624+01:002026-07-31T19:19:49.747+01:00

I thought I would post another pen review as this new addition is rather lovely. Do not worry, there will be the usual Brompton related post on Sunday. As many of you know, I have a bit of a fondness for fountain pens. Following a significant wedding anniversary a few days ago, Mrs Orange kindly allowed me to treat myself to add another pen to the collection. This latest acquisition in not

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The countdown has begun people! On Saturday, 5th September 2026, the Brompton World Championship (BWC) returns to London, this time at the iconic Lee Valley VeloPark in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It promises to be the biggest championship yet and yes, I’m going! A better venueFor the first time, the Brompton World Championship will take place at Lee Valley VeloPark, a legacy of the London

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com0London, UK51.5072178 -0.127586223.196983963821154 -35.2838362 79.817451636178845 35.0286638tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-70281906733621326982026-07-24T16:32:51.687+01:002026-07-24T21:29:11.215+01:00

Back in the 1980s if you were a British music artist, making it in America was huge. I suspect not a great deal has changed. If you follow on Instagram @orangebrompton you will know that I occasionally use songs by one of my favourite bands 'Depeche Mode' to go with my photos. They definitely made it in America and after the last few weeks, I am beginning to think that my Brompton

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-14670011944327584082026-07-22T17:03:30.388+01:002026-07-22T17:24:11.991+01:00

I am fortunate to get a few emails and comments from some of you good people who read my efforts. One recent comment and email was from a Brompton rider and fountain pen user all the way from Malaysia. He asked whether I could get more blog posts out there other than just once a week. That is probably not going to happen anytime soon as it is a considerable time commitment to deliver one every

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-41487355338044451002026-07-19T17:38:59.852+01:002026-07-19T17:38:59.966+01:00

In the classic British television programme ‘Dad's Army’ one of the main characters, Corporal Jones, would often shout, "Don't panic!" at moments when many people were doing exactly that. I couldn't help but think of him when the news broke at the end of June that Brompton had sold stakes to two outside groups. Predictably, the doom-and-gloom brigade were quick to declare the sky was

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-15373735424953153942026-07-12T18:56:22.890+01:002026-07-12T18:57:46.909+01:00

It had been a while since I had embarked on a ride involving any considerable mileage, so when Geoff asked if I was interested in joining a select few on a nocturnal ride, I happily said yes.The ride was based on the "London Lockdown Ride", a 100-mile route that takes participants on a winding journey through the capital, starting and finishing at Victoria Station. The "lockdown" part of the name

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This blog post as you can see from the title is nothing to do with one of my Brompton bicycles - although it does feature. It has been a busy week to say the least, but I managed to buy a pen that I have been after for ages upon ages. Lots of pen people have one of those pens that quietly sits on the wish list for years. Not necessarily because it's rare or expensive, but because the right

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-52059848079587620422026-06-28T20:10:26.882+01:002026-06-28T20:11:39.259+01:00

In London it has been crazy hot and a few records for temperature in June have been broken. I have not cycled huge distances; however, I have been out and about on my Brompton bicycles. Mid-week, I unfolded my Brompton and pedalled out into what the forecast described as a ‘red warning.’  London had decided to audition for the role of a toaster and the city obliged by turning every

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This Father's Day, I spent some time at Kensal Green Cemetery, one of London's great historic cemeteries - and as I have said many times, my favourite. Paying it a visit is always meaningful because both of my parents had their funeral service there, giving me a personal connection to a place.Founded in 1833, Kensal Green Cemetery is one of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ Victorian cemeteries. Wandering

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One of the hidden pleasures of cycling in London is that you occasionally stumble across scenes so ridiculous that you wonder whether you've accidentally ridden onto the set of a sitcom.My latest encounter occurred at a particularly busy central London junction at the end of a cycle lane. You know the type: buses, taxis, delivery vans, pedestrians, cyclists, tourists and influencers all

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Earlier last week, I had the opportunity to visit Highgate Cemetery after hours, when a lucky few were granted access to several normally locked mausoleums. It was an opportunity not to be missed. Mrs Orange, the eldest Orangette, and I rushed home and then hurried even faster down a very slippery Swain’s Lane to arrive in time.The star of the show was the Beer Mausoleum. Following the death of

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What a couple of weekends it has been! I ended up making a couple of unexpected nocturnal journeys on my Orange Titanium over the Bank Holiday weekend and another Friday night just gone. This saw me make a 50 mile round trip, from London to the countryside and back. Not wanting to do this on my own, I enlisted the help of old friend Tom, who took one of his Brompton Titanium bikes. Perhaps a blog

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It has been a busy week and an even busier weekend. I have been using my Orange Titanium a little more and one of the reasons for this is that it is now a much more comfy riding experience. I will let me explain. A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog post recalling the overnight adventure from London to Leigh-on-Sea. This was memorable for all the right reasons, but it did firm in my mind the need

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I was passing through my favourite of the Magnificent Seven cemeteries in London, Kensal Green on my G-Line the other day. Whilst doing so I could not help but pass the grave of rake, rapscallion and rogue that was George Smythe. George Augustus Frederick Percy Sydney Smythe (1818–1857), the 7th Viscount Strangford, was a British aristocrat, writer, and politician associated with the

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Friday night into Saturday morning saw me taking part in a Friday night ride to the coast: Shoreham-on-Sea. Armed with my trusty Orange Titanium, I set off for the start not far from the London Eye, feeling reasonably optimistic and only mildly aware that I was about to spend the best part of the night pedalling in the direction of a seaside town while most sensible people were either asleep or

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There’s a particular species of urban cyclist that fascinates and terrifies me in equal measure: the Brompton owner who (steel yourself for this)…leaves their bike locked to a lamppost. Yes, you read that right. The same folding wonder designed to slip discreetly under your desk, disappear into the boot of a cab, or quietly insinuate itself into the luggage compartment of a train is instead

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-84018579852758698412026-04-26T10:08:00.000+01:002026-04-26T10:08:01.702+01:00

Last week I hinted at a Part 2 for all things saddles. Here it is. As I wrote this it brought back more an a few memories! A few years ago, there was a ride called the ‘St Crispin’s Day Ride’ which was great fun. I remember signing up for it the following year but was unable to participate due to a rather dramatic, avoidable, and painful accident involving a new Brooks saddle.Recently, I bought a

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There comes a time in every cyclist’s life when they look at their saddle and think, ‘You know what? This one makes my arse hurt!!’For me, that moment arrived after a brief but significant departure from Brooks saddles on my Brompton bicycles - a decision that, in hindsight, can only be described as optimistic. It was after the recent nocturnal Leigh-on-Sea ride that I saw the light. You see

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-2212380960393184882026-04-12T10:02:00.004+01:002026-04-12T10:33:31.179+01:00

The official Cobblemonster event is happening today, but I had other plans for Sunday, so I decided to tackle it a day early. I set off bright and early on my G-Line, arriving at Barbican, conveniently along the route. I figured I’d start and finish there. After a few quick adjustments I’d prepared the day before, I loaded the route… and off I went.'The Cobblemonster’ is an event I’ve taken part

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-2609719506645626902026-04-05T09:59:00.006+01:002026-04-06T22:33:07.854+01:00

The first official night ride to the coast of 2026 took place last Thursday into Friday - and it turned out to be something of an eye-opener. More on that shortly.As usual, I made my way to the start, not far from the London Eye, and found the roads pleasantly calm. This was likely due to it being a Thursday, combined with the small matter of the following day being a Bank Holiday - London’s

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-28641341087974006762026-03-29T09:55:00.002+01:002026-03-29T09:55:37.872+01:00

Last Friday, I embarked upon a ride on my trusty Orange Superlight, a bicycle that rarely fails to bring a smile to my face. As I pedalled through the bustling streets of London, I decided to take a brief stop near the iconic St Mary Le Bow church in Cheapside to check my phone for a message I was expecting. It was here that I had a delightful encounter with a gentleman who was intrigued by my

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The nocturnal ride season is almost upon us, and if you’ve been following my escapades, you’ll know I have a soft spot for the odd night ride - especially those that whisk me away to the coast. In less than two weeks, I shall be dusting off one of my trusty Brompton and pedalling off into the night!Our first adventure will take us to Leigh-on-Sea, almost the classic Southend but not quite. We

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