Prototype Bromptons

Some fun and historica pictures of early prototypes for Bromptons, from Oliver Pascaud. The first couple with the loopy handlebars (Bickerton-esque, non?) wouldn't be out of place as a Hoxton low-rider. There are also a couple of shots of the factory at work as well.

The version on the left has a rather cute 'button' chainwheel guard, I think.

The Trouble with HGVs

Velorution has something to say (and experience seems to bear it out):

Women are getting killed by lorry drivers. Just in the last couple of weeks, two young ladies have been crushed to death by big men in big vehicles with small brains.

Read more about it in Matt Seaton's column.

Why am I mentioning this? Because of yet another death. I go past this junction most evenings.

There's more about it here.

Tikit ticker...

BikeFriday's Tikit folder seems to have been launched on the world. An account of its trip around Washington, D.C. can be found on the BikePortland.org site. There's also some discussion of the Brompton vs. the Tikit. The feeling seems to be that its Dahon who should be worried.

Reflective Jackets

At some risk to my person, I've been running a bit of an experiment over the last week. How much notice do people take of you without a fluorescent jacket or belt? Not much difference seems to be the answer. Lights and some reflectors seem to be the main thing - light clothing or no, except perhaps in dusk or low light.

But, and this is the but - reversing cars and pedestrians seems to need a bit of day glo to stop them in their tracks. Otherwise, in my highly scientific test, they seem subconsciously to want to risk it. A Sam Browne seems a pretty good option, and so do some vests. So now I'm going to try the impossible and track down one that fits and almost looks good. I don't think a cycle jacket will do it - except the top of the range Respro model, the others all look like builders' clobber. However, the running market might have it tapped. I'll see what Nathan or Brooks can come up with. More to follow...

Meanwhile, good to see City Slicker is up for an award.

Monocle March

At a bit of a loss at the weekend (for a number of reasons, see other news below), so splashed out on a coffee and the latest of Tyler B's Monocle.

Still looks good, esp. the cover, with a good feature on home workouts, G-Wagons and the return of Andrew Mueller, surely Oz's best export since Clive James (or maybe Kylie). But the rest of it seemed to be a rewarming of old TB 'fast track' themes, e.g. Heathrow is evil, trains should be run by Wallpaper*, and so on. Esp. indulgent was the feature on the fabulistic Nordic News Network - as if Zoolander had taken over CNN. And lacking in humour or real interest, intrigue or revelation in the country 'briefings'. Most look like they could be culled from the internet, or are part of the CIA world factbook. Maybe I'm being harsh, but it needs to up the game. If it's going to be the Economist meets Arena, it needs to up the game.

Rapha Softshell Update

Still the best vast amount of money I've ever spent. Just wish it was, well... a bit brighter in parts.

Wore it during today's snow and rain storm on the way home. The fabric stayed perfectly waterproof, windproof and snug with my Icebreaker merino, but some seepage on the seams (esp. around the shoulder pads and the rapha arm detailing - the costs of vanity). But because it wicks so well, arms and shoulders of my inside top stayed dry. I suppose you could invest in some seam tape if you lived in Seattle... The jaunty rapha cap kept my head dry, too.

Other news. The cycle squad rallied around at work today and came up with a spare lock for someone.

Rather worse: Bromdinium will soon be homeless. Offers of flat-sitting, houseboat warming gratefully appreciated...

UPDATE: 1 year on. Jacket is still fantastic. Ok, so a couple of loose threads at the bottom have had to be tamed with a dab of superglue, but it's still almost as good as new. A wash now and then in Nikwax tech wash seems to keep the DWR going, and the water still beads. And Bromdinium has a new pad (sadly with a shorter commute). Would be tempted by the lighter softshell jackets (so can wear for longer in spring and even summer), or perhaps wait until Alpkit come up with their softshell. Only complaint: no zips/too tight on forearms to easily pull up - best way to cool down.

From Vimy Ridge to Jon Snow

[tunnels of Vimy Ridge, reminding me of the Subway section in Sassoon's MemWars]

Bromdinium paid a visit to the Imperial War Museum last night for a viewing of Vimy Ridge Heaven to Hell. Not a bad piece of History Channel TV, although the military archaelogists got a bit carried away. Some of the Canucks seemed a bit miffed at the sentimental nationalism, but were pleased to discover that they held the record for the highest VD rate in WWI. Possibly have Lord Owen an over-nasty stare, met a friendly chat from the French embassy, a brace of mad retired colonels, and got invited - B hopes - to Paddy Ashdown's book launch. Documentry wasn't too bad, and the nibbles were top drawer, so a successful evening.



Sparking sunny morning on way in today, and I espied Jon Snow at Pret opposit the NPG. Determined to say hello, as he's a cycling man, so I did. Had a good little chat. He must have thought I was some mad nutter, but was interested in B's day job, and was pleased to report that he had an exclusive interview with an artist for C4 news.

The excuse to stop was a response to a letter in the Guardian:

Jon Snow clearly has a death wish. There he is (Guardian Guide to Cycling,
March 3) in grey hat, grey jacket and grey trousers, on a grey bike with a grey
bag, cycling along in a grey-ish urban location. Jon! We can't see you! I'd
expect the leading light of the CTC to be brighter, and ditch the camouflage.
Being mistaken for Adam Hart-Davis is a small price to pay.

Mike Lewis, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire

B's favourite TV journalist was sat in a day-glo Altura. But according to the great man, this was due to his own fear for his life, rather than Mr. Lewis's advice. Fair enough, given that Bromdinium was almost reversed over by a Mercedes a year ago on St Martin's Lane, a few yards from where we were chatting. At least B. had his dayglo John Brown belt on today.

Gary Hart and all that oil

Bromdinium popped along to a lecture on American foreign policy (indeed, world foreign policy) by the former Democrat presidential candidate, and yacht-fancier Gary Hart at the Eccles Centre of the BL.

All rather cigars-and-brandy in tone, with a few good jokes about liking the sound of the word 'president'. Allegedly 'radical' as he suggested that Iraq was something to do with oil and that the term 'casualty' includes wounded as well as killed. He didn't mention the high level of survivability of today's battlefield wounds - although survivability with missing legs, arms, eyes, etc. is not the same as a sore hand from a sabre...

Although the tone was very Henry Adams (and indeed John Quincey Adams was referenced), no mention of China in the coming global strategic battle. Or indeed a suggestion that the best place for all that oil is underground, given what it does when it gets into the air. And the hints at world government were rather Utopian.

Digging up Mill writing pre-1848 and the Treaty of Westphalia seemed a bit of an intellectual cover, as well. Guess you can read more at the Gary Hart blog.

Ryan Adams to Play Stonehenge

Not a headline you'd expect to read. But all on 5 June the Adams will be playing the 'henge. Rock on.

I guess he's a little obsessed with the place, what with all those zany photos on his web site from his last visit to the UK when a side trip to Stonehenge was laid on.

Rapha Jacket Review

It's been over a week since I've had my rapha softshell jacket. Apart from Bromdinum's wedding suit, this is definitely the most expensive garment he owns. And that includes a Daks suit.

Is it worth it?

First of, the fit is great. A bit tighter than your usual gear (Bromdinium opted for the large rather than his usual svelte medium). It's long on the sleeves, but not too long (with neat, spandex thumb loops), tight around the back and sides and long at the back. The shoulder patches give it a somewhat menacing air, but the pink inside sets it off great (even if some of Bromdinium's acquaintances have teased him for it). All pretty GQ, and got into Shochu lounge with the B. no trouble (full of idiots as expected). There's tons of neat detailing, which you can read about elsewhere (google rapha jacket review), including a slot to slip in a light, ipod loops, a bite bit to zip up one handed, asymmetric zip, black reflective piping (not too convinced this is bright enought), a fold down tail flap, etc. etc.

Second of all, it's great. I love it. The windstopper type material (10% Hytrel, 5% Spandex, 85% polyester) is brilliant. Keeps out the rain, doesn't run too hot, and breathes better than anything else I've got. Also keeps you warm when you need it. Suspect in a month or two it will be a little warm, even with the pit zips, but perfect 2/4 season jacket (in London anyway). Gets especially warm on the back, mind, because of all the pocket gubbins.

Finally, it's black. You may look so mean and sleek you get noticed, or you may not. I've gone back to the John Brown belt to keep Royal Mail van man at bay. But I have to say, it's nice not to be dressed like a canary.

Bike Week in the Guardian

It's been bike week in the Guardian, with a guide to urban cycling in each day's G2 section.

Zoe Williams offers this piece of Johnson-aping advice, amongst others:

Speed up at amber. Be an amber-gambler! That's what Boris Johnson does: he has written that and I have actually seen him, and he has civic duty coming out of his posh ears.

Did I mention?

I picked up one of these? (The jackets, that is). Full report to follow...

Getting Things Done is a cult, part II

Weirdorama interview with David Allen, the man behind the personal productivity geek craze of GTD at New Day Herald, the organ of the oddball MSIA (Movement for Inner Spiritual Awareness) cult, itself run by the frightening John-Rogers. Next Action: The @backlash starts here...