Bromdinium

The Sea, The Sea!

2010-06-13T22:24:00.000Z

We may be hardened cynics here at Trois V, but sometimes the hardened façade cracks just a little bit, and the soft gooey core leaks out. Today's ride applied just such a toffee hammer to my shell at least, and brought out some of the joy of cycling. It also brought to mind the thin line between horror and happiness - more of that later.

It was the Rapha Gentleman's Team Time Trial, and I was fortunate enough to be a member of the Tweed Run team. Decked out in some Dromarti leather cycling shoes (review to follow), Rapha 3/4 shorts, merino 'tweed' socks, a crisp white shirt, bow tie and topped with a tweed cap (and all-important helmet), with fiver fellow tweed runners, we set off to Brighton and back from the Rapha Coffee Club at 9 am, meaning to stop at three checkpoints en route. We were one team of twelve (including a noble team from our friends at Look Mum No Hands); such was the lack of faith in our vitesse, we were earmarked as the first team to head off.

A wise move, on Simon Mottram's part, as we couldn't even manage to get to the photoshoot on the start in time (one member was completing his photo release; the other was voiding his bowels). No matter, we headed off.

Given the tweed ethos, we thought it appropriate, and even apposite, to avoid major roads, and seek out minor routes that were the way things used to be. Sadly, an irritable GPS and lack of faith in a paper map led to a bit of a delay around Mitcham, until we got our groove on, and found a delightful route across the north downs.

Alas, a near-tragedy took place, thanks to West Sussex's inability to fill in potholes, and an ambulance had to be called. At the very least, the poor victim was wearing a helmet, after some discussion last night, the conclusion of which was that it would be a good idea. It was.

Now for the science bit: stress and shock causes the body to do various things, including eating up all the sugar it could find. From this point on, we were at the risk of bonking. We did out best, and I managed to get up Ditchling Beacon with some dignity, the Rapha cameraman pointing his videocam in my face the whole way up. I tried to evoke Lance Armstrong's blankness, crossed with the elan of Eroll Flynn. Needless to say, I didn't manage it.

Brighton was a sunny treat, helped by Hannah's cheer and the Rapha coffee van. The Bike Show's Jack took a dip in the sea, and I paddled. Fish and chips were eaten. We decided to celebrate the spirit of things, and to turn the day into a jaunt.

This was accomplished by an ascent of Devil's Dyke (one of our number goes by the online moniker of General Lucifer), and a fine selection of minor roads, tracks and byways. The icing on the cake was the golden sunshine and a pub in Ansty, which was staffed by two friendly barmaids, who appreciated our tweedy attire. Due to the aforementioned delays, and the need to meet various partners, parties and trips back to Leeds, we were forced to take a train for the final tedious forty miles. No matter, we still took on the worst of the hills, cut a good dash for the cameras, and managed a good average speed over a decent distance when things weren't going horribly badly. And in warm tweed.

Back to Rapha Cafe, for a special award of Prosecco, and a very decent party.

Take that, Portland.

Rapha Rain Jacket review

2010-06-05T09:11:00.000Z

Again, this has had a month or so's service. And I've been trying to find a fault.

At worst, on a warmer day, you might prefer the Stowaway, or some sort of Montane windproof (a pal says good things about Pearl Izumi, too), because you will find your arms getting a little warm. An hour in the sun at 16-18 degrees at the weekend was tolerable, though. And then I just took it off.

In the rain, there's nothing to fault. And this I've tested.

The fit is great - a little stretchier than the Stowaway, I think, and so I could get a size down, meaning a nice fit around the neck. The cream makes sense, in terms of being seen. There's the odd oil mark on it, but to me that's only the sign of happy use.

The rear pocket, which some people have wondered about, is fine. The zips are okay, too; perfectly possible to use while riding. And it pulls up easily to get at stuff in your jersey back pockets.

My only thoughts rest on how resilient it is to washing - some detail about the membrane and type of washing powder (e.g., pure soap like Goretex, or standard liquid a la eVent) and routine would be reassuring. I'm going for my usual soap or delicate liquid, extra rinse - and no softener. Rain Jacket 2 could perhaps furl up even tighter, and err on more Stowaway fabric in the arms.

Rapha Fixed Backpack

2010-05-24T21:39:00.001Z

This has now had almost a month's service, including a 50-odd mile ride down to the coast and lugging the requisites to the Tour of Wessex, as well as a daily commute and trotting around town.

You probably already know that this is a great piece of kit, so I've been trying to think of niggles.

I've struggled, but I've found them. Not something that would be immediately apparent, but the inside is very dark. If you've ever used a Kata camera pack, you'll appreciate the yellow interior, so much easier to find stuff. On the other hand, I'm kind of glad the inside isn't canary coloured.

Sweat pads. These aren't perfect. The Deuter airstream system works better, for example. But then you get weight and depth away from your back. They do the job enough only to worry about sweat on plus 20 degree days - and even then not terrible.

Laptop strap: this kind of gets in the way if you're not using a laptop.

There isn't the usual 'Rapha story label' inside.

As you can see, I'm struggling.

Perhaps a white Rapha stripe on the front or the back would be good on dreary mornings.

Did I mention it looks really, really good, too? In fact, non-cyclist friends have enquired where I got it from.

Bromdinium is back

2010-05-09T21:42:00.000Z

Thanks to some thieving blighters (who shifted their loot on Gumtree), I've had to say goodbye to the Fratello, and dust of the Brompton, which had only been seeing occasional, and usually train-based, service.

In some ways, it's been a bit of a silver lining, not least because the Brompton encourages you to not bother with a bunch of cycling gear, and just integrate it into your life. The warmer weather helped, at least until this cold snap arrived.

Meanwhile, I have tried out some new kit, mostly Rapha: the rain jacket, the lightweight softshell and the fixed backpack. Expect some reviews to follow (first off, the fixed backpack is likely to come out as a near perfect thing)

Nutella

2008-04-27T16:50:00.001Z

Nutella
Originally uploaded by movingtargetzine

I feel their pain

2008-04-27T11:50:00.004Z

My Brompton is skulking under my desk, thinking jealously about the new Condor Fratello that is chained and d-locked (I hope) outside my flat as I type, thanks to the Cycle to Work scheme. Okay, so the B. won't cope as well with Highgate West Hill, but it shouldn't be too upset. So far my average commute speed is almost the same, and the B. is far more comfortable, at least in terms of riding position (giant wheels and carbon bits smooth out a hell of a lot). And they both share a steel heritage, as well as London design (even if the Condor is cast and welded, or however it's done, in Italy)

It's also a shock to have gears (Compag Veloce compact, with black chain ring), but the Polar heart rate monitor is more of a shock. The B. has lulled me into a fitness plateau! Time to pound the streets, I feel. Braking is also a whole different ball game.

Temptation

2008-02-08T23:09:00.001Z

A new scheme at work means that a tax-free new bike could be in the offing. A fixed-gear or road bike could be a good alternative for cinema trips... but where to keep it?

Piano Wire

2008-01-10T13:17:00.000Z

Parris has since published a backhanded apology, which, while ostensibly saying
sorry, succeeds in blaming cyclists for being too humourless and dim to get the
joke. The heaving inbox of his editor, combined with several hundred reports to
the Press Complaints Commission, may have hastened this act of contrition. Which
just goes to show the efficiency of the cycling lobby when roused: web forums
and email groups were humming with exhortations to write in. It could be said
that such an "organised" response gives the widespread sense of revulsion felt
among cyclists a slightly synthetic quality - that is how lobbies operate and
although there is nothing wrong with concerted voluntary action, I can't help
wondering whether we took a sledgehammer to this particular nut.

Matt Seaton weighs in on the Parris issue.

Google Maps

2007-11-07T10:53:00.000Z

Google Maps team seem keen on cycling:

Just recently, the Google Maps route-finding team moved to our new Fremont Engineering office. I'm happy to report we don't have to commute across Lake Washington at all anymore. In fact, nearly half the team cycles in every day! And we're always looking for great people, so if any of this sounds like the kind of challenge you'd be up for, we'd love to hear from you.

so, will they fine-tune their UK maps for cycling?

Bike Polo...

2007-10-21T22:51:00.001Z

BFF07 Bike Polo Shoppers!
Originally uploaded by M.J.S.

What better way to spend a sunny Oct. morning. And then get sworn at by an SUV driver on TCR...

Bicycle Film Festival

2007-10-18T20:42:00.000Z

The Brompton got turned away from a cinema today: the Rich Mix creative centre in Shoreditch. Bromdinium was feeling a little lacking in urban cool, dressed in work clothes and a rapha softshell. And a bike clip rather than rolled jeans.

Perhaps because of this, health and safety meant he got chucked out of the showing of Monkey Warfare, shown as part of the Bicycle Film Festival. Oh, the irony. However, turned out Cycleworks were laying on 'valet bike parking' in aid of an African recycling cycle charity, so the B. got locked up for once. An innovation all cinemas, galleries and theatres should introduce. I'd pay a quid to have someone tend a folded brommie.

Film was pretty good, too. Bikes, the MC5, Canada, the Baader Meinhof gang. And app. there's an afterparty at the Bloomsbury bowling lane. The next film, Safety in Numbers, a crossing of the Alps, looked promising as well.

Other news. Velorution have announced that Brompton have released a clip to stop the B. folding.

Bumped into George as well.

Rapha Softshell: king of jackets?

2007-10-16T11:03:00.000Z

The new Rapha softshell was on show at the Rouleur exhibition at the Host Gallery. Looks pretty much the same as the old one, just with grey lining, rather than pink.

This morning's rain made me reflect on the jacket. Great breathability, good fit, looks pretty good, too. Stitching can be a bit dodgy (at least on mine). And it's pretty water resistant - except at the seams on the arms and the Rapha logo. My shirt was soaked at the inner elbow. Perhaps I need to attack it with some seam sealant?

Couriers by the Duke of York

2007-10-13T12:52:00.000Z

Brompton leaving Tate Britain

2007-10-13T12:51:00.000Z

Airnimal

2007-10-13T12:50:00.000Z

Yellow Bike near St Pauls

2007-10-13T12:49:00.001Z

Bike and Bus

2007-10-13T12:49:00.000Z

Rouleur exhibition

2007-10-13T12:47:00.000Z

Had a day off, so called in on a few galleries. The first was the Host Gallerty, off Old Street, for the Rouleur 2007 photography show. Had some new Rapha kit on display, and a small amount of large-format shots. Worth a visit.

Why

2007-10-07T09:14:00.001Z

Are all Range Rovers black? And have tinted windows?

Mercedes folding bike

2007-10-07T09:13:00.000Z

Some pictures here...

London Bikes

2007-10-03T19:30:00.000Z

Paul Weller and Rapha

2007-07-27T21:32:00.000Z

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/gallery_paulweller.shtml?select=04#photo

Is that a Rapha top?

Philly Brompton, Tikit, Moulton video

2007-07-18T21:53:00.000Z

That corner from the Smithfield Nocturne

2007-07-02T22:28:00.001Z

The Folding Bike Comes of Age

2007-06-27T21:36:00.000Z

Suits on wheels
The Smithfield Nocturne winessed the coming of age of the folding bike

Flickr and Emily Thornberry

2007-06-26T21:35:00.000Z

Flickr has to be one of the most fantastic social networking sites. A couple of Bromdinium's shots have ended up on other sites as a result, and now the cycling MP, and chair of the all party cycling group has asked to have a shot of her at the Smithfield Nocture. Happy to oblige.

Perhaps B. should upgrade from a Sony K800i cameraphone to something else?

Fakengers

2007-06-24T21:42:00.001Z

The pseudo-couriers strike back!

As fakengers, we have become a rolling laughing-stock. If once we dared to go the The Duke on a Friday night - albeit feeling slightly awkward at the lack of dirt on our bikes or damage to our bags or to our bodies and consciously out of place amongst the guys and girls we so keenly emulate, we can no longer patronise this wonderful establishment for fear of mockery. 'Why don't they dress up as milkmen?' is now a familiar cry on Vine Hill. So bad have things become that fakengers have been seen taking a lengthy detour via High Holborn or even Camden Town in order to reach their beloved Hackney without fear of recrimination. To paraphrase Orwell, it would seem that whilst 'all cyclists are equal, messengers are more equal than others'. But no longer must we suffer in silence. The LBFA is here to represent all London fakengers, wannabees, look-a-likes, try-hards and floppy-haired media-types, whose only crime is their passion for 'pinion fixe'. I think it was Wilde who said 'immitation is the sincerest form of flattery' although I don't think he had the Bianchi pista in mind when he wrote that, but you get my point. So come one, come all. If you've never been a messenger but love riding your bike and wish that you only had the balls to jack in the office job and just do it but know you never will - the LBFA awaits you. Faking as one.

Rapha Girls

2007-06-24T20:42:00.001Z

And what was with the bored Rapha 'girls' at the Nocturne? Is this 1975. Besides, given the Rapha marketing materials, at least 1 rugged looking fella would have gone down better.

See what Candace thinks.

And didn't Howies start of with a similar stance?

Smithfield Nocturne - After the Deluge

2007-06-24T20:27:00.001Z

Glastonbury always seems to herald rain, even in London. B. headed over to Smithfield for the Smithfield Nocturne, Rapha and Condor's contribution to the warm up for the Tour de France. The 1 km course was given a top coat of 1 cm of rain, and the folders headed out after the confused courier race (liked their beer-can spoke additions, btw). B. managed to impale himself on his Brooks, and limped home in the latter half of the group, and almost became intimately acquainted with the crash barriers. Managed to beat the Strida up the hill, and haven't had so much fun in a long time. Although did get a bit annoyed with Robert Elms calling us all 'City Gents' all evening. Still, he looked good in his Rapha outfit.

Photo from Blech.

More on Flickr.

And more photos here.

The proper race stuff from London Cycle Sport.

And some videos from YouTube.

Smithfield Nocturne

2007-06-21T09:22:00.001Z

- Sean the Butcher, Alex the Commuter, Scott the courier and Jimmy the pro, lined up for the official launch of the Smithfield Nocturne.

Rather worryingly, Bromdinium has a place on the folding bike race. B's rather concerned by the sado-masochistic prose of the Rapha/Nocturne website, with its talk of barging, cheating and fierce competition. Nonetheless, B. will try and get round in one piece. Should be a great evening out.

Bike Week

2007-06-20T10:23:00.000Z

It's Bike Week, and Camden Cycling Campaign kindly laid on some muffins, juice and coffee next to the British Library. Bromdinium lost the battle with a couple of Speckled Hens last night, so was rather late on his way out the door this morning, so sadly most of the muffins had gone... But lots of interest from passers by.

The Hipster Issue

2007-06-06T11:40:00.000Z

Official: cycling to work is still cool (TimeOut NY).

Andrew Marr in Fashion Icon shock

2007-05-29T20:12:00.000Z

B. is watching Andrew Marr's entertaining history of Britain on BBC 2. And Marr, remarkably, unbelievably, steals the historian fashion crown with a skinny, pink, possibly merino, zip-down polo shirt. Has he been inspired by Anthony Eden's natty dressing? Eat that, Tristram Hunt.

Update: Marr's wardrobe continues to cause ripples -

I thought Mr Andy's symphony in pink was pure genius. Call me shallow - and, oddly, many of you have - but it is hard to make a programme about The History of Modern Britain interesting, however much he prances from foot to foot. (Ask Hadley, The Guardian)

Tate

2007-05-29T11:12:00.001Z

Jake and Dinos Chapman
When Humans Walked the Earth 2006
View of this exhibition at Tate Britain
Photo © Tate 2006

Bromdinium popped into the Tate Britain at during the Long Wet Weekend to check out the 'How We Are: Photographing Britain' along with the rest of the city, going by the queues to get in (friendly cloakroom staff, btw, and always kind enough to park the Brompton, unlike the National Gallery, which is off limits to the Fold).

A good show, with good use of IT, for once (digitized photobooks with touch sensitive pages, plasma screen scans of photobooks/slides). An odd hanging of one or two shots (the giants pictures of marines were oddly placed, for example); great 1960s photobooks and colour illustrations, esp. the cookbooks. The usual reflections on the limited palette of photography: ironic juxtaposition, Martin Parr satire/reverse snobbery, earnest reportage, class slumming, the colonial gaze...

More weird was the Chapman bros. bronze installation, which was very amusing in a sixth-form way. However, the family using the art boxes with their three children in the room with brains being smashed up, penises being chopped, and vaginas impalled: what was up with that? Was the parents making a point? Did you not notice the chopped willies? Did the children not notice? Had I wandered into Private Eye's 'It's Grim Up North (London)' cartoon by mistake?

"When Humans Walked the Earth 2007 contests the distinctions we make
between man and machine and assumptions about historical progress. Cast in the
traditional medium of bronze, these objects evoke the heroic tradition of
monumental sculpture. However their scatological imagery, subversive intent and
complex associations suggest a sense of impending collapse..."

London needs this...

2007-05-27T21:18:00.000Z

"NY seeks ban on iPod shuffle

A New York senator says pedestrian iPod use is a "public safety crisis"

Using your iPod while crossing the road may soon be illegal in New York.
NY State Senator Carl Kruger wants to slap a $100 (£51) fine on pedestrians using MP3 players, mobile phones or Blackberries while crossing the road.
Two of his Brooklyn constituents had been killed after walking into traffic while listening to MP3 players in the last few months, Mr Kruger said.
In one case bystanders screamed "watch out", Mr Kruger said, but the victim did not hear their warnings."

Okay - so perhaps a bit draconian, but how many people have stepped out in front of you like this?

"I'm Begining To Think That People Are Carrying Their Bikes Everywhere Just To Mock Me"

2007-05-25T16:51:00.000Z

Thus speaks the Sartorialist.

Might Bromdinium Recommend...

2007-05-25T12:09:00.000Z

The Lost World of James Smithson Science, Revolution, and the Birth of the Smithsonian by Heather Ewing.

How an Englishman led to the foundation of the Smithsonian. Brings to life the scientific world of the late-eighteenth century.

The Mayor joins the Village Green Appeciation Society

2007-05-25T11:57:00.000Z

Turfs up...

Reflective Vest

2007-05-25T11:52:00.000Z

Not sure that this is what I had in mind a while back. And don't think I could carry it off...

Back in stock at Velorution.

Bad Beardie

2007-05-22T09:00:00.000Z

Saw a bearded middle-aged cyclist heading off across a set of red lights, with a police car sat behind him. Two minutes later, went past him arguing with the policeman. Suspect he got a ticket. Ironically, of all the places to go across a red light, this was v. safe.

Also, B. is back from walking around the Balearics. Suffered from bike envy a lot of the time. Fantastic scenery, lots of cyclists. Can see why Rapha shot its last ridiculous catalogue in Mallorca.

While I'm at it, if any one is interested, did the Torrent de Pareis walk from Lluc to Sa Colabra. Park warden looked a bit suspicious of my shoes before I set off, but the Inov8 F-lite 300 were up to the task. Perhaps not as sticky as some proper approach shoes, but no slips and less wrecked by the rocks than expected.

Brompton in The Sun

2007-05-12T20:59:00.000Z

Not the kindest of article, but what do you expect. Sounds like Emma needed to give it a bit more time to get used to the steering.

Blair's Departure

2007-05-10T08:55:00.000Z

B. was zipping along the back of Downing Street when he noticed a greater than usual gathering of photographers at the back of No. 10. They were all there waiting for Tony Blair to drive to the airport, or somewhere, to say adieu. Did this mean that the Cabinet meeting had finished? Caught a sight of the unmistakable TB grin, but you can't see it in the photo.

Lots of obituaries and spot-histories on the airwaves and in the newspapers. And of course, we'll go through it all again in 7 weeks.

A kindly copper asked me nicely to get off the road, btw. Or rather, the fluorescent special branch officer yelled at me to 'geroff the road'. Given the idiotic driving you get along there, perhaps it was for the best.

What's going on?

2007-04-30T19:59:00.000Z

So, AA Gill admitted he was dabbling with bikes and Harry Eyres wrote an open letter to David C about getting serious about cycling in the FT, and somebody on Any Questions wanted to make cycling 'cool', and now the Evening Standard has a front page campaign about cycling. All very odd.

More about it on this blog at the Telegraph.

Fixies make it to the ny times...

2007-04-29T20:47:00.001Z

Unstoppable

By JOCKO WEYLAND

Published: April 29, 2007

Riding a bike without brakes on the streets of New York may sound insane. But to the zealous adherents of fixed-gear bikes, they are a thing of beauty and a way of life.

Sartorialist's bike bias?

2007-04-29T17:44:00.000Z

Check out this photo (and the comments) for a better cycling advert than David C...

Cyclo-Curious

2007-04-29T17:26:00.000Z

"I don’t know how to break this to you. Perhaps it’s best just to say it out loud. Okay, here goes: I think I might be a cyclist. I’ve been experimenting with bicycles. I take them out and I ride them. I ride them — they don’t ride me, okay? I’m not a scene biker. I don’t get dressed up in figure-hugging Lycra. I don’t do shorts and I don’t have a purple helmet. But I don’t mind a bit of high-vis Day-Glo. Just a dash, an accent. I suppose, actually, I’m cyclo-curious bi. I’ve still got the car, and I love her very much. It’s just that I’m not in love with her any more."

Writes AA Gill at the Sunday Times . Incroyable. But welcome. He's right about the well-intentioned food and car-crash service at Oliver Peyton's Inn the Park as well.

Speaking of Restaurants, Bromdinium can't speak higher of St John's Bread and Wine, next to Spitalfields. They came to his rescue with a double espresso and a rhubarb meringue just when he needed his spirits lifted. They run a tight ship in there, and the buzzy atmosphere was just right for a warm April evening (if you fancied chomping your way through a pig's head - though I only spotted one being tucked into).

B. was meant to report on his trip to the sticks. Suffice to say, Leicester is not as bad as you'd imagine, especially in Spring, and Kent is pretty pleasant, too, particularly when it's stuffed with bluebells. There was even an earthquake. Tried out the new pair of Inov8s over nearly 15 miles - a couple of blisters from a small stone and, I think the damp and heat. And very sore feet and limbs. I'm putting this down to the Inov's design - working new muscles and so on. And perhaps the 3mm rather than 6mm footbed. But they do encourage you to zip along. A lot of cyclists about as well - inc. some Rahpa-equipped chaps.

Finally, adieu OC.

A Nice Cuppa

2007-04-25T10:43:00.000Z

Bromdinium is back after a brief stint in the provinces (expect a report later). Meanwhile, Trafalgar Square has been taken over by a parade of teacups. For what purpose, Bromdinium is unsure, but suspects either Art or Channel 4.

Meanwhile, Monocle issue 3 has come out and is devoted to all things velo. Again, expect a report soon. The short report and photostory by Andrew Mueller on the flight from Tehran to Caracas is worth the issue price alone.

Prototype Bromptons

2007-03-26T14:18:00.000Z

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

2007-03-22T21:36:00.000Z

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...

2007-03-22T20:22:00.000Z

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

2007-03-22T20:11:00.000Z

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

2007-03-19T18:16:00.000Z

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

2007-03-19T18:11:00.001Z

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

2007-03-16T10:16:00.000Z

[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

2007-03-15T10:50:00.000Z

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

2007-03-10T17:00:00.000Z

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

2007-03-08T19:30:00.000Z

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

2007-03-08T19:26:00.000Z

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?

2007-03-01T23:40:00.000Z

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

Getting Things Done is a cult, part II

2007-03-01T23:35:00.000Z

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...

Get cycling in London - but get off our roads

2007-02-26T23:53:00.000Z

Interesting leader in The Times last week, pointing out the rise in bike accidents on Britain's roads, but the need to get people cycling (so we don't all drown under the rising Thames or turn into piles of blubber). The solution? Lot's of cycle lanes. Lots of comments helpfully point out the error of this view, although the two white vans and minicab who tried to cut me up today have begun to get me thinking along those lines...

Read more at Velorotion.

GTD & MSIA

2007-02-26T09:59:00.000Z

Bromdinium is not the most organized of people, nor the tidiest. And he's increasingly got a pile of things to do. Rather pointless things, but a pile nonetheless.

So, January 1 saw a couple of resolutions. No. 1 was to try and get organized. The web was full of David Allen's 'Getting Things Done' - even the Guardian was on it. So I stumped for the book, and even a .pdf guide to sorting out MS Outlook and started to make lists of things; all seemed very sensible.

Still, there was something weird about Allen's prose. Lots of muttering about 'mind like water', lifechanging, even odd things like 'if someone doesn't write their next action down, I cut them out of my life', or 'try giving everything up, and descending into the darkest part of your soul till you have nothing. I've done that a few years ago', as well as other weird stuff, not to mention the flash web site and costly seminars.

Looking at a couple of mailing lists, the term 'cult' came up now and then - but only, I thought as a joke.

But reading this post about MSIA (short for the zanily titled The Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness).

This is rather old news, and not exactly gospel, but makes more sense of the weirdness in the book.

Wiggle vs. Altura

2007-02-25T17:08:00.000Z

Did I mention that I had to send the Altura Reflex jacket back?

Can`t fault Wiggle, who even refunded my postage. Two thumbs up to the Portsmouth crew.

What went wrong?

drawstring broke after three weeks
top drawstring started to fray

Other points:

terrible cutting of the fabric
stitching started to go around the neck
dubious about reliability of zip
cut a bit baggy, esp. at the front
baffle at top of zip not effective - zip rubs.
picks up dirt - esp. oil - like a seabird near Exxon.
clammy seam tape.

Still, it was pretty cheap all things considered.

Rapha part deux

2007-02-25T17:01:00.000Z

It seems that Bromdinium was wrong. On his way to Blockbusters (now there´s a store without a future if there ever was one in the age of Netfliks, Virgin media et al) to return the Wedding Crashers (don´t you love Wilson?), Triple Agent (go Rohmer) and Serenity (not Wheedon´s best) DVDs, he spotted a Brompton lashing along Lupus Street.

And someone had been to the Rapha sale at Velurolution it seemed. Black rapha club cap, green club jersey, sportswool arm warmers. All rather natty. Put my retina-searing flouro to shame. B and R do mix

Avenue Q

2007-02-25T16:58:00.000Z

Rather than dodging the hoards coming out of the Noel Coward theatre on his way home, Bromdinium paid a visit to Avenue Q the other day. And he rather enjoyed it, despite being annoyed that he thought it was all being sung along to a tape, then discovering that the band were hiding behind the Brooklyn street-scene.

Ah, to be 23 again.

Velorution and Rapha

2007-02-21T16:15:00.000Z

Just like bacon and eggs, some things go together. Brooks and Brompton being one of them. The craftsmanship, use of traditional materials and the classic lines (not to mention gentlemanly comfort of these superior saddles) seem to go together like horse and radish. However, I'm not so sure about Brompton and Rapha, despite both turning up in the cooler pages of the broadsheets. Some people would argue (wrongly) that the Bromptoneer is more suited to tweed and pin stripe than the courier/biker/GQ lines of the world's most metrosexual - and stunningly desirable - cycling gear.

Nonetheless, Velorution are having a massive Rapha sale (yes, those softshell jackets for £145 rather than and unbelievable £210). Bromdinium, being a bit short of cash, but still in the market for a jacket, went to have a look. I was expecting it to be full of the too cool for skool crowd, but friendly staff. Rather model-like customers, so turnip head here stood out, but a cool, roomy store, with bikes the like of which Monocle might approve. Bromdinium is now the proud owner of two-for-price of one (they couldn't find the price tag) Rapha hats. The softshell jacket looked like something out of Star Wars crossed with a rather dapper Action Man, but the real classic looked to be the Stowaway jacket. The fabric felt like butter. (Though I suspect that the GI Joe stlyle windproof is the best bet for round town wear.)

Wearing one rather than the more sensible helmet turned Bromdinium, hulk like, into a speeding bike courier, swinging dangerously left from Oxford Street onto TTR... Must be all that talk of brevets...

p.s., ask me nicely, and I'll give you directions to the secret sale area of the Rapha site.

By the Power of Greystoke! (Hot Fuzz)

2007-02-21T09:37:00.000Z

Bromdinium didn't always live in London: he's a West Country lad really, so a trip to the cinema to see what Edgar Wright had done to Wells was in order.

Not quite up there with the Romcomzom of Shaun of the Dead (which was filmed in Bromdinium's old local), and very much for the 16-year-old in us all. The McGuffin was as obvious as Glastonbury Tour, but all a lot of fun. Kind of the Wickerman meets the Bill via the Archers.

Best bits: the two Bill Baileys playing two different coppers, one always reading Ian Banks, the other, wilder haired, reading Ian M. Banks.

References to crusty jugglers, the ring road, and the Swan (hotel and Elvis, the real swan). Somerfield. All good Wells fun. Hestonn service station hell. Romeo and Juliet by Dire Straits. The scene when they watched videos reminded me of what little there is to do there, except sit in the pub (and all the under-age drinkers seemed pretty accurate). And Tottenham Court Road Odeon let me bash around with the Brompton.

The worst bits: everyone walking the wrong way to get to places, the fact that it can't escape being a parody - a fond parody, nonetheless.

Not many people know this, but Bromdinium's sister-in-law went to school with Mr Wright, and there are videos knocking around of his early work making Westerns in the West Country while still at Well's Blue School.

Plus, B. had the hots at college for someone who's dad was the copper in Wells...

Job On! as Nick might say

Join the Fold (FT article)

2007-02-19T20:00:00.000Z

"Finally, I ask the opinion of a senior diner at the Chelsea Kitchen restaurant on the King's Road, who always hails my Brompton and me like comrades in arms. He tells me an old army joke.

A paratrooper jumps out of his plane and pulls the ripcord. Nothing. He pulls the back-up cord. Again, no chute appears. As he hurtles to the ground he says: "It'll be just my luck now if I can't get the bike open."

And with that the whole Brompton experience folded neatly into place."

Missed this article by Dominic Swords in the Financial Times before Christmas. Good piece on the folding way, and Bromptons in particular.

Notes & Queries GTD shock

2007-02-16T22:31:00.000Z

This was posted recently on a GTD list. The venerable, scholarly, and slightly unhinged Notes & Queries has the following moto:

"When found, make a note of."--CAPTAIN CUTTLE

"WHEN FOUND, MAKE A NOTE OF," is a most admirable rule; and if the
excellent Captain had never uttered another word, he might have passed for a
profound philosopher. It is a rule which should shine in gilt letters on the
gingerbread of youth, and the spectacle-case of age. Every man who reads

with any view beyond mere pastime, knows the value of it. Every one, more or
less, acts upon it. Every one regrets and suffers who neglects it. There is
some trouble in it, to be sure; but in what good thing is there not? and
what trouble does it save! Nay, what mischief! Half the lies that are
current in the world owe their origin to a misplaced confidence in memory,
rather than to intentional falsehood. We have never known more than one man
who could deliberately and conscientiously say that his memory had _never_
deceived him; and he (when he saw that he had excited the surprise of his
hearers, especially those who knew how many years he had spent in the
management of important commercial affairs) used to add,--because he had
never trusted it; but had uniformly written down what he was anxious to
remember."

http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext05/7n100110.txt

Wallpaper* 2.0

2007-02-16T13:20:00.000Z

Tyler Brûlé's international brand (actually just a magazine at the moment), the dandyish-sounding Monocle (grandly subtitled 'briefing on global affairs, business, culture & design') launched yesterday. I picked up a copy at the decidedly unglamorous WHSmith in Victoria Station and flicked through a copy during the 1 o'clock news, expecting more briefings on homme's underwear than geopolitics.

Nice and thick (which is what you expect for a fiver) and, unless it flops (as a segment on R4's Today show predicted), a neat decimalized 10 issues a year, it exudes design thought (nay, obsession). The cover shot of a Japanese military pilot brings back the old Face magazine's 1980s fascination with Japan, but also happily blends style (TB seems obsessed with Japanese design) and a contemporary topic that's a bit off the radar, but will soon be bleeping loudly. (Think North Korea). And it's not as obvious as China.

But back to the design: an almost square small folio size, matte paper, a good contents page, 'serious' serif font. And full of interesting stuff. The ability to make the reader feel smug (as though they're really a global jetsetter, with several Bauhaus pads dotted around the globe) is undeniable. Get spotted reading one, and you'll look a complete poseur, mind.

I loved the review of Barter Books ('The British Library of secondhand bookshops' - The New Statesman - I'm tempted to comment but won't) in the, ahem, 'Well Stacked' section. More book reviews needed though - and where is the 'virtual' world in all of this.

And the photo-essay on Les Chaux-de-Fonds reminded me of my time in Besançon. The fun section on Porter bags owed a bit to Flickr's 'what's in my bag' group and - yes - revealed the expected Zimmerli briefs.

Finally, Monocle is cycle-friendly, easily stashed in an S-Bag, and with lots of plugs for Skeppshult bikes.

Only complaint - needs some sort of built in ribbon as a bookmark.

Marathons...

2007-02-13T20:49:00.000Z

It's tough being a tyre in London. All those potholes, all that smashed glass and, to top it all, shards of flint from gravel paths. What with the rain, it's perhaps no surprise that I've had two punctures in two weeks, both to the rear wheel.

So, en route to work, with a flattening tyre, popped into Evans. The choice wasn't the greatest: Brompton Yellow (my current tyres), Brompton Green (with kevlar) and Marathons. No old-skool Primos, the elusive (and discontinued) Marathon Slicks, no Stelvios. It's taken almost 1500 miles for my Brompton tyres to feel grippy, so I can't wait that long. Don't give much credence to kevlar fibre belts in stopping punctures (seeing as most of them are from shards of glass), but the Marathon seemed thicker. So, after a half and hour of wresting, changing brake blocks while I was at it, it's on the back wheel. (N.B., the trick to get them on is to make sure the wire rims are as far into the central groove as possible, and pull them over/on, rather than push).

Immediate reaction is that the rolling resistance is barely any worse, but the bikes seems much less skittish. Discovered that the new model (above) has a supposedly even better 'snakeskin' tread, but I ended up with the 06 variant (15 quid) More reports later...

Meanwhile, the Altura jacket is showing its flimsyness: the cord around the neck is fraying, some of the stitching is coming undone, and the material is very badly cut behind the zip. It's also got a bit sticky - but as I've been wearing long-sleeved cotton under it, can hardly be blamed.

No Applause at the Royal Opera House

2007-02-12T21:34:00.000Z

A bit of high culture for Bromdinium: Rhapsody and La Sylphide ballets at the Royal Opera House (in the cheap seats of course). All well and good (esp. the second act of La Sylphide). But, on arriving found a notice on the front doors of the Opera House: "No Folding Bikes". Thought this would be the case, so came via the Tube.

Yet, on leaving saw some ballet-goers picking up a case from the cloakroom. Shame they won't take Bromptons, even in a case.

Vocalized Pauses

2007-02-07T22:31:00.000Z

Had to appear on a local radio station today (a long story), and discovered that I could 'listen again' thanks to the Internet. Braced myself for the usual recoil at the sound of your own voice, only to be struck by the vast number of 'vocalized pauses', e.g. um, er, hmm... Now, I don't think I normally do this, so I'll put it down to nerves. But how to get rid of them, without getting OCD?

Although I did hear a piece on the Today show, I think, on how short silences or gaps are even worse on the radio.

Also managed to pop in to the 'world's largest free lecture series' in the evening - a square-jawed Dr Tristram Hunt at the Royal Society of Arts, now under the command of the Easter-Island-esque (or should that be William Defoe) Matthew Taylor, late of No. 10 strategy unity. Dr Hunt was discussing the history curriculum, citizenship and national identity. Came up with some pretty sound middle of the road responses, and staked out the Raphael Samuel/David Starkey political divide quite well (and alluded to J C D Clark's thoughts on time, history and religion - but not the Enlightenment's discovery of history). The best thing was the describing the difference between being trained to be a historian, and the civic benefits of knowing about history. The important point - that history is mostly boring to school kids (all subjects have a defining feature, e.g., geography=colouring in; English=reading out loud; maths=calculators; chemistry=bunsen burners) and that wider interest happens despite history lessons (at least before A Level) wasn't touched upon. At least there was general agreement that citizenship classes are a disaster, unless the subject matter is incorporated into other disciplines.

More prosaically, London braces itself for more snow ce soir.

Worst offenders: Mercedes

2007-01-31T23:16:00.000Z

The first of an ongoing series...

Are these the cars owned by the worst drivers on the road? Erratic, too slow, too fast, blacked-up windows, ignorant of other road users, especially cyclists. Especially when reversing. Perhaps their occupants are so old and decrepit they can't turn round and look behind them - that's why they have all those fancy reversing sonar things. At least the boot breaks your fall when you crash into them.

Next time: Royal Mail trucks

Crank up the 'Wow" - MS Vista at the BL

2007-01-30T13:59:00.000Z

A larger than usual gathering of geeks at the British Library to watch The Feeling get roped in to launch Windows Vista (and Turning the Pages 2.0). Choosing the New Wave of AOR to launch Microsoft (yawn) Vista seems very appropriate. Couldn't see it happening at MacExpo, even though Jobs' musical taste seem to run from the Eagles to the Eagles.

More here.

Bibliographic Software Rant

2007-01-28T17:18:00.000Z

Today I spent 30 minutes or so downloading IdeaMason 3, which some people on the blogosphere have been getting very excited about. And compared to most pieces of software, it's fairly slick and does most of what you want. But not all. And that's the crucial thing. All these producs ultimately suck because of one or two fatal flaws.
IdeaMason - apart from the name, you can't import files from Web of Science, etc. or define your own types according to recognized standards (eg. EAD for archives).

Endnote - vast numbers of irritating little flaws and bugs, no real notetaking abilities, difficult to sort. And exensive.
Biblioscape - has it all,but no Z39-whatever connection, just 'screen scrapping', and it looks painful and is dreadfully buggy.
Papyrus - near perfect - for 1992. Doesn't play well or at all with XP, let alone Word 2007
Word 2007. Citation tool - this is more like it. But how to organize your notes (MS desktop search and the improved metadata 'ribbon' look like one solution), and - fatally - no Chicago footnote support. And nigh on impossible to amend the default formats. Roll on version 2.0
Others - NotaBene. Expensive, and like others in this category, you're pretty much dependent on having your pc or laptop with you.

What is needed/signs of hope.

1) Access anywhere. Work, home, library, book shop. Endnote Web looks promising, and nice that it's 'free' for those with a Web of Science subscription. [n.b., seems to have some problems with firewalls]
2) Run from flash drive. See (1). Biblioscape 7.0 promises this.
3) Google Scholar. They must have some bibliographic control in there; ditto google books (and their download .pdfs are wonderful - or at least will be). So, all that's needed is some way of harvesting the output reliably. Endnote seems to do this tolerably. Great for those without a subscription to journals.
4) Word 2007. Bad news for the little guys, but at least Microsoft have made a start - and it's a good one.
5) Adobe 8.0 (beta). Finally makes pdfs seem usable and almost easier than paper or even a codex for information (if not prolonged reading).
6) Google Notebook. Simple, free and does what it needs to, mostly. Is there a Google Cite in a lab somewhere?

Until then?

1) for those with good handwriting and access to a cheap stationers, index cards are hard to beat.
2) USB flash drives/ google docs/ gmail/ thinkanywhere - get your stuff wherever you are.
3) MS Word. It's still the standard - at least until openoffice gets it's file size and loading times under control. Make use of the keywords, files things properly and use desktop search (be it google, copernic, or ms). MS Outlook, if you've got a tablet PC.
4) Outlook/Palm todo lists. And keep it simple, with 'places' categories. Forget about prioritizing, and stick it in your calendar if it's time bound. Moleskines for those with neat handwriting and damp climates.
5) Tinderbox, for those with money and a Mac. For the rest of us, Muji pens and paper.
7) Avoid trying out software. It just clogs up your PC and wastes time. A bit like this blog...

UPDATE (Feb 2007)

Clearly I've ignored my own advice, esp. (7):

Still trying to get Endnote Web to work within my office firewall (integration with Word, that is). No joy so far, but the help team at Thompson have been, well, very helpful.

A couple of other pieces of software worth looking at:

Good Sync - a bit like Windows 95's weird briefcase feature, except this one keeps flash/usb drives (or whatever) in sync with desktop (or whatever). Free and effective, with most of the options you'll need.
JabRef 2.2 - open source Java-based bibliographic software. Especially useful if you have any idea what the hell LaTex is all about. (it's a nice front end for BibTex)

Tikit to ride?

2007-01-28T12:26:00.000Z

Bike Friday are leaking - virally? - some info on their new machine for 2007, which promises, much like the much derided (although less so in the US, where not only do the cops in Philly station but also the late Rumsfeld use one) Segway to solve the world's transport problems.

Info. and some videos here: http://www.bikefriday.com/tikit

Could see it denting sales of Bromptons in the states, where Bike Friday is already pretty dominant along with Dahon, but not because of it's frighteningly fast fold (all to do with a catch in the seat column and internal wiring gubbins - wouldn 't like it to start collapsing on an emergeny stop), but because (a), it's new, and (b), it has a little handle and wheels along like a little barrow. The B can sort of do that - but I've never seen anyone look particularly happy and unlopsided. Great for those - such as women generally - who find a Brompton a bit of a dead weight.

Another question: where are all the Brompton videos on YouTube and Google Video?

Good post on City Slicker, btw

2007-01-26T10:06:00.000Z

While I manage to get a smile, City Slicker is chatting to strangers...

In the Zone

2007-01-26T09:52:00.000Z

One of the great things about cycling is that time when it's just you, the bike and the road, and you're just wizzing along, hardly any effort, a good high cadence, and the tyres and tarmac making a slick sound. Doesn't seem to happen very often, especially in London, but I remember it happening more often at university or school. Perhaps it was the relatively open roads or town street, or even the larger wheels of the racer, but it seems to take pace less with the B. It can happen, of course. During the London to Brighton ride, when there was a relatively empty stretch, for example. Maybe it's more to do with nostalgia and rather younger legs.

However, zipping home last night was one of those rides. Perhaps it was the sunset and the blue dusk, perhaps the wind was in the right direction. But it all made for a good ride.

More prosaically, the tyres were well pumped up (c. 100 psi each, a bit less in the front) and the chain was freshly oiled. I'd been using White Lightning for a while, ever since I got oil all over the Head of XXX department's hands, and found it okay, if needing topping up often (and turning any porous surface white when applied. Banksy would love the stuff). But it was running low and to top up the Wiggle order for the Altura Reflex and get a discount I plumped for the new White Lightning 'Wet Ride'. Not something to type into google at work... It's thick stuff, but promises to be less mucky than oil (it's not a wax). Bring on the rain! They also do an 'Epic' brand, for UK conditions, which may be worth a go for summer. Suspect the chain will need more regular cleaning as already lumps of black goo seem to be accumulating.

Also, managed to get a smile out of another cyclist on the way in.

Altura Reflex Review

2007-01-25T10:11:00.000Z

This jacket has a lot to live up to. The reviews of its baby sibling, the Altura Crosslite have all been consistently excellent, with ratings of 8, 9 and even 10/10 (there are copies of some of the reviews at the Altura website) and some claiming it even beat paclite jackets for breathability. Here's my test of it.

The Basics: colours, fit, features

Since my Altura Nevis has failed because of the badly designed zip, Wiggle quickly dispatched a replacement within 24 hours (and at £70 after various discounts, very cheaply. Rack price is £99.99). Avoided the temptation to get the better looking but less visible black or blue to keep colleagues and family happy, and will feel something of a canary in a pub.

Still, its not a bad looking jacket. It relies on the stretch of the Altec Reactive fabric (windproof, waterproof, breathable, 20,000 g/m2/24hrs) rather than fancy tailoring and panels like the Nevis, but fits relatively tightly (no-where near as snug as a Gore bikewear affair or my Montane wind proof). Some bagginess in the arms and belly, but nothing too bad. Quite long at the back and okay at the front. Long on the neck, with a small bit of fabric to hid the zip. No fleece round the neck like the Nevis, but fits fine. It's not lined, so you won't get much warmth or lack of weird feeling on your skin. 8/10 for fit.

Comes fully loaded with:

waterproof zips. Look fairly sturdy (TLL not YKK though), with a stop at the bottom to stop them fraying. Possible to work them with gloves; storm flap gets a bit caught if you're not careful (doesn't seem as bad as the Nevis though).
Reflective strips. The reason I went for this - as the Nevis Nightvision (NV) is to the Nevis, so the Reflex is to the Crosslite. Not as much bling as the NV, but wide strips around the pockets, Altura branding, and front and side 'landing strips'. If a car can't see this then what's the point.
Drawstring on neck and tail. Handy for temperature reg. Not the best for one-handed use.
Rubberised Velcro sleeve closures. Excellent.
Three waterproof pockets - back, chest, arm. Good for gloves, work pass, light, and iPod, if you cycle deaf.
Rear vent. All along the shoulder blades.
All seams taped - I'll come back to this.
Ripstop fabric. Seems relatively tough. Think merino sweater, rather than (at one end of the toughness spectrum) fleece or (the other) cashmere.
Lightweight carry pouch. Not attached, but handy. Suspect I'll lose it.

9/10 - no hood attachment, could be tougher?, NV reflection design

The Test Bed

Basically, me coming to work. 4 miles, about 19 minutes, 10 mph average, central London commute. Not the fastest, as a lot of traffic today. 1 degree Celsius with wind chill according to weather.com. Peter Storm coolmax T, Lowe Alpine mid-weight fleece, cotton cords, Goretex lined boots, windstopper gloves. Helmet, not hat. Brompton, yellow tyres, fully laden luggage rack. A bit nippy to start, but started to feel warm about 6 minutes in.

Results

Got to work and had a look. Didn't feel clammy, but running my hand around the inside of the jacket, could feel some dampness (cold). Closer inspection revealed this was mostly along the inch-thick seem tape. Other than that, seemed to breath better than the Nevis and as well as my Montane V2. Oddly, better breathing than the Montane windproof, but it was cold today. Suspect that you would have to work really hard to beat the moisture transfer on this thing and it to build up beyond what is in the fleece, etc. 9/10.

Conclusion

All sounds pretty good, right? So have I made the right decision? Actually, I think I should have gone for the NV yellow. Why? Well, I think I'll miss the side vent - not just to quickly cool down (although as the Reflex is so thin, prob. less of a problem), but to stash gloves, wallet etc. Also, I think the fit is slightly better, more jacket-like than sportswear. And the grey looks really good (not so great to stop cars reversing into you in daylight though). The Crosslite seems to have most of the features, just lacking some of the scotchlite, so that may be a better bet for the club cyclist.

The Altec Reactive fabric is pretty amazing. I suspect it comes from the same factory as Endura's offering - and works like eVent (e.g., small gaps in the material, rather than moisture transfer). I now see why some Goretex stuff comes with breathable seam tape - on such a minimalist jacket you really notice the contrast between the dry fabric and the cold, slightly damp tape. The lining is weird: lots of grey dimples.

However, come spring and autumn, I think I will appreciate the jacket more - it's very light and can be stashed easily in case of a shower.

Overall, 9/10 - but 8/10 for commuting.

London in the Snow

2007-01-24T10:40:00.000Z

Unusual sight this morning: white snow all across the park. Barely an inch or so, but made for a fun ride in. Lots of people stopping to take photographs. The clouds grey and heavy with more rain, sleet or snow. Bike karma got its revenge: wondered why I was riding so slowly, then discovered a puncture in the rear tyre. Time to get some Schwalbe Marathons? If only they still did the slicks...

What's GTD good for

2007-01-23T14:19:00.000Z

Spend a few minutes on the web looking at the cultish-GTD related websites, and about 90% of the stuff is about tweaking software, how to use a Moleskine diary, how to relate NA to Projects, etc. But ignoring all that obsessional stuff, it does seem to work. My question is 'why?'.

A few tentative answers:

1. getting stuff of your mind. Less worried, less stress, more work. Makes some sense.
2. not loosing stuff. Good filing, fewer bits of paper. Some people say up to 30% of time is spent looking for stuff.
3. getting rid of excuses. You take something out of the inbox, figure it can be done in 2 minutes, and make a start. No time wasted on starting, stopping, restarting, working out where you were.
4. makes you think about getting organised. What else does, except perhaps a new year? Being forced to list a project, with outcomes can't but help most tasks.
5. keeping inboxes manageable - see point 1.
6. Lists and Next Actions - always something to do - no procrastination here. Means you can just chug through a whole pile of tasks when you've the energy and time.
7. Weekly review. Keeps everything in intuitive order.
8. It isn't rocket science. Most systems would probably help, this one doesn't worry about prioritizing or being too complicated.

What else?

Thames :(

2007-01-23T14:09:00.000Z

Alternative route this morning, along Grovesnor Road and Millbank, as although cold, it promised to be a clear, sunny morning.

A mistake. Not only was the wind blowing the wrong way, but the traffic along Millbank seems particularly determined to harrass bikes. And although Bazelgete, or his followers, no doubt had to build a wall along the Thames, it means you don't see a drop of water.

On the other hand, you can judge the barometer of the times, watching the dourness of the spook's faces as the rush into the MI5 building, see how perky Haw is after the court ruling that he shouldn't have been harrassed by the Met (as T4T on Today contemplated), and catch the sun glancing off the mother of parliaments, etc.

The ride up Westminster is further problematized by suicidal civil servants running out in front of you like lemmings, and vast articulated buses hoving along.

Altura/Zyro

2007-01-23T13:33:00.000Z

The Altura Reflex has arrived. More of a chrome yellow than a day-glo (too sensible to go for the edgy and stylish black) and quite a roomy fit. Lighter than expected, and disappointed to see TLL rather than YKK zips (this was the brand that packed up on the Altura Nevis. Will keep receipt... More to follow. In the meantime, the website for 'Altura' is in fact the parent company, 'Zyro'. Good selection of reviews on the site.

Bet You Look Good in an Anorak

2007-01-22T22:47:00.000Z

This guy looks a bit of a tool, right? We'll see if the jacket in the photo has a similar effect on me in a day or two, as my Altura Nevis has packed up - the zip's gone, and it seems to cost almost as much to repair it as to get a new one. Except this is the most expensive of Altura's efforts - not up there with Rapha or Gore Bike Wear, of course, but a combination of generic 'Paclite' type fabric and lots of reflective tape. And some pockets. It's called the Altura Relfex, and I'll post a report once I get it. After looking around, the Altura Night Vision and Endura Superlite looked like other worthy options, but were out of stock in Cyclesurgery, and Evans was overpriced as ever.

On another note, when will Westminster fill in those holes on Trafalgar Square - one almost sent me flying tonight, always a bit of a risk on the 16"-wheeled Brompton.

Finally, got asked today: what regular maintenance does a B need. Hard to think other than a bit of oil or lube on the chain, pumping up the tyres, checking the spokes and aluminium bits, adjusting the brakes from time to time. Is that it? Some bits need replacing, like the chain, after 2k miles or so

Bearskins

2007-01-21T20:58:00.000Z

One of the risks of taking the road that runs along St James's Park (Horseguards), apart from the nerve jarring road surface, the dodgy lights at night and tourists acting like lemmings, is running into the marching band, with their currently controversial bearskin hats. No traffic means no bikes... but looking at the bayonets, I guess it makes sense, let alone the Sousaphone...
Wonder if they scare the Pelicans in the park?

Prince Charles - or the problem of bikes and cinemas

2007-01-21T20:45:00.000Z

There's a lot to complain about cinemas in London, not least the cost. You can count on setting aside at least a tenner to watch most films; even more in Leicester Square. The Prince Charles Cinema is an exception, packing us in at £1.50 - £4.50 for not-so-current films (think in-flight movie or DVD material). It's always a bit of a crush, and the floor downstairs is raked down not up - very odd.

But, even more than most cinemas, no room for the Brompton. The solution, if you don't leave it behind: the nearby NCR carpark by Trafalgar Square reputedly has a relatively safe cycle park, under the watchful eye of the security guard. Just watch out for the Sound of Music sing-along.