tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869360103115192026-10-18T19:45:56.111+01:00New blog post every SundayMy Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.comBlogger1616125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-88389051017871536472026-10-18T18:58:34.157+01:002026-10-18T19:45:56.111+01:00

Last week, you might have read about my trip to the London Pen Show, where I picked up a ‘Duo’ made by Black Forest Pens. Since then, I have used this pen exclusively and feel I have put enough ink through it to share my thoughts. So, this blog post has nothing to do with a Brompton. However, it does tell you about a rather unique fountain pen.The real party trick of the ‘Duo’ is its double-ended

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-69733948959382244922026-10-11T16:51:35.619+01:002026-10-11T16:51:35.712+01:00

This particular blog post has nothing to do with any of my Brompton bicycles. This weekend was the London Pen Show, and being rather keen on all things fountain pen, I decided to head down to Hammersmith, where the event has been held for the past few years.Getting there was pretty easy and plain sailing, and I arrived at the Novotel London West at around 10:30 a.m. It was pretty busy when I got

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-47969250494067126992026-10-04T19:19:04.134+01:002026-10-04T19:19:30.526+01:00

Some of you have been kind enough to get in touch about all sorts of things, but there seems to be a definite theme emerging this week. Walls. More specifically, the rather strange habit of taking a photograph of your Brompton against a wall. If I am being completely honest, I am probably one of the worst offenders. I do it all the time. So, I thought I would try to explain myself. Perhaps,

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-88433116812799985702026-09-27T20:36:33.486+01:002026-10-03T16:49:24.054+01:00

Friday into Saturday morning was the last group night ride of 2026. This one was to Burnham-on-Crouch. However, with a commitment that might have made me too late to get to the start, it was going to be touch and go as to whether I would make it at all.Thankfully, the timings just about worked out, and I made it to the start not far from the London Eye. On my way, I saw and heard many cyclists (

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-83838311025031654022026-09-20T20:27:57.374+01:002026-10-03T16:48:54.257+01:00

Last week I happily took quite a few photos on the nocturnal London to Brighton ride. This is something I obviously do all the time. It was only when I was on my way back from the ride that disaster struck - although I didn’t actually realise what had happened until last night!Today I was due to take part in one of the wonderful rides that Ross puts on. I had been looking forward to it and, late

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-36181395556585141772026-09-13T20:38:28.093+01:002026-09-13T20:38:28.206+01:00

Friday night was to be the penultimate night ride of the official 2026 season, with Brighton as the classic destination. Having used my Orange Titanium quite a bit over the last few weeks, I decided to give my G-Line an outing rather than my Brompton Electric.I headed off to the start into a pretty mild night. The sky looked clear, and I didn't feel the slightest chill wearing just a couple of

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-87730206450223883942026-09-06T17:07:43.617+01:002026-09-07T20:47:13.941+01:00

The Brompton World Championships 2026 took place on Saturday and… well, you will have to read the rest to find out.I set off bright and early and cycled all the way to the start at the Olympic Park in East London. Wearing my MCC tie, socks and a version of the blazer that is better than the other one I have, which is wool and therefore far too hot, I certainly stood out, even in early-morning

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-4506312366986580732026-08-30T20:39:44.868+01:002026-08-30T20:40:29.114+01:00

On Friday evening, I joined the lovely Friday peeps for the ride from Cambridge to King’s Lynn. Last year - the first time I did this ride - was great fun, so I decided to give it another go. Getting to Cambridge was plain sailing. It was getting to Liverpool Street station that provided the more than choppy waters!I needed to be at Liverpool Street at about 21:45, however I left home a great

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The Brompton World Championships is but a step away. I am looking forward to it with some glee, however there are the usual naysayers emerging from stage left and right spouting out the usual pessimism and some that is rather new.CostTo my shame, I cannot actually remember what it cost me to enter the BWC this year and I had to look it up. £55 plus £3.50 admin fee. Not inexpensive but I cannot

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com4tag: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.com3tag: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.com9tag: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

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-85738341282845764112026-07-26T08:21:24.082+01:002026-07-26T08:21:24.200+01:00

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

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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

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-89955311220499088272026-06-21T15:09:51.955+01:002026-06-21T19:50:11.967+01:00

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

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-60261491935938469062026-06-14T18:33:52.064+01:002026-06-14T18:41:24.079+01:00

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

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-47892254138326857262026-06-07T20:59:05.852+01:002026-06-07T23:52:48.772+01:00

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

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-24724108350958544882026-05-31T18:48:15.961+01:002026-05-31T19:06:25.127+01:00

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

My Orange Bromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237035726801401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386936010311519.post-73357750247418751512026-05-24T15:51:11.538+01:002026-05-24T15:51:38.168+01:00

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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