KTC 15mm Pedal Wrench (MS3-15T)

KTC's light combination wrench is best fit for Brompton. 

KTC light combination wrench 15 mm MS3-15T

It is useful for removing and fixing Brompton pedals and wheels which are often too tight to be removed by other regular portable wrenches.

The wrench is artistic in its design as well as made extremely precise. Please see its grip engraved with lovely cherry blossoms flowing on the river surface. This is indeed a made-in-Japan tool which accommodates both art and quality.

KTC is an abbrebiation of Kyoto Tool Co., Ltd. in Japan's old town Kyoto with more than 1200-year history. A Kyoto company often shows elegance even in such industrial products.

http://en.ktc.jp/

[Manufacturer]
-Kyoto tool co., Ltd.
[Features]
-Double-nut tightening and loosening is convenient for working in narrow gap light wrench.
-Total length is longer than the standard type, easy to add power.
-Undergone a design through the petals of cherry blossoms in the Takase River in Kyoto City to the pattern of river.
-Prevents the concentration of stress in the diameter of the glasses wrenches side, bolt and nut power fit shape has been adopted. * Please note put too much power in so long in length, light type.
[Specification]
-Size:(S)15(L)240(D1)32(D2)21(T1)4.2(T2)8
-Weight: 105 g

Poralis Folding Bike Pod for Brompton

Do you know Poralis Folding Bike Pod? I suppose that it is a perfect bag for your airline travel with Brompton.

I used to travel abroad with my Brompton in the B-bag. The B-Bag is designed to carry Brompton when travelling abroad by plain. It is said that the B-Bag is well padded for protection while the strong straps and caster wheels enable to transport from point to point.

However, frankly speaking, B-bag is not the best solution. The bag is not so portable. Because of its two wheels only style, I always struggled to drag the bag and another suite case from the airport to train station, the  train station to hotel, and from the entrance of the hotel to the room. The bag is well padded but basically soft case. Sometimes a bike suffers a minor damage due to rough handling in a certain airport. In addition, I often experienced damage and tear of the bag itself due to its fragility in its straps.   


What is the option other than B-bag? There is a popular alternative of B&W hard shell case though only the case weighs 7.36 kg. Adding 12 kg of Brompton, approx.20 kg is too heavy, isn't it? We are anxious of possible extra charge for overweight. 

I recommend Polaris EVA Folding Bike Pod to you. It only weighs 4.6 kg. Light but durable enough and simple to store the bike inside.

The Eva Folding Bike Pod is a zip opening suite case with wheels and a built-in telescopic handle. EVA has high impact strength and ideal for bike luggage. The design has been moulded to fit a folding bike (Brompton) for maximum protection during air transportation and transit. The industrial strength zip entry is backed up with quick release buckles and straps. 

I will use the Bike Pod when I go to New Zealand South Island for adventure next month.

Jells Park, Chesterfield Farm, Scotchmans Creek Trail and Gardiners Creek Trail

It is quite a fine spring day. Why not going out for a ride?

Today Brompton and I visited Jells Park and Chesterfield Farm.

After then, we came back to CITY via Scotchmans Creek Trail and Gardiners Creek Trail which is joining to the Main Yarra Trail near Kooyong to follow the city center.

[Data]
Distance 35.8km 
Max. Difference of elevation 149m
Average % of Slope total: -0.2% ascent: 3% descent: 2.4%
Acquired elevation ascent: 66m descent: 305m



A train from Flinders reached Glen Waverley Station. I unfolded my M6L-X to start for Jells Park.

There were a lot of groups of families and of friends in the park.

There were lots of runners and riders on the trail.

Chesterfield Farm. Let's experience country life in the city. The farm's concept is quite similar to Enomoto Farm which is near Tokyo. 

Good morning.

He is also a member of the farm animals. 

I asked a cup of milk and a piece of meat pie to fuel myself. The pie was most delicious ever!

Shall we go back to the city.

A great spring day. On the way back, I met a variety of colorful flowers in full bloom.

After an hour and half, we arraived in the city. It was a nice trip to suburb and good bike trails.

Brompton goes to Gippsland

Yesterday Brompton and I went out for a 70 km ride on the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail from Stratford to Traralgon. The trail was passing through farm lands all the way. The speed was limited to some extent due to unpaved road condition but the tail wind helped me and Brompton to complete the long ride on a mild day in spring. 

[data]

Route: Stratford Station to Traralgon Station
Distance: 68.8km
Average % of slope: total 0.1% ascent 1.8% descent 1.8%
Acquired elevation: ascent 160m descent 85m

Arriving at Stratford Station by V-line train, Brompton and I immediately started for the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail.

The rail trail started.

Because I was a bit concerned with time to reach Traralgon Station, I tried not to stop for the first 1 and half hours for 31.5 km. 

The trail continued straight ahead. I took a first break to relieve my thirst when I reached old Dawson Station.

There were some traces of the old rail tracks left on the way.

The rail trail was suddenly interrupted between after Dawson and before Cowwarr, diverted to the vehicle road for 5.5 km. It is only a section not to follow old rail tracks due to no rail trail bridge over the Thomson River.

JUNE 2022 UPDATED: ‘MISSING SECTION’ OF GIPPSLAND PLAINS RAIL TRAIL NOW COMPLETED

The Gippsland Plains Rail Trail stretchs 63km from Traralgon to Stratford and the new bridge is a milestone removing a 4km road diversion between Cowwarr and Heyfield that has existed since the rail trail opened; a great improvement.

https://www.railtrails.org.au/news/missing-section-of-gippsland-plains-rail-trail-now-completed/

The trail restarted from here.



Arriving at old Cowwar Station where was 40 km from Stratford Station.

Yellow flowers (probably rapeseed) bloomed all over the place.

Reaching old Glengarry Station. There was IGA in the town and I purchased bottles of water. 

Please note that there were no facilities of drinkable water and no vendors/restaurants on the trail after Heyfield and before Glengarry. This trail is, in terms of facilities, not well organized at all like the Lilydale Warburton Rail Trail. A rider cannot get food or drink without a certain diversion from the way. I recommend to bring enough water (and some food) for the ride during summer season. I brought 2 bottles of water but not enough for this hot day.

Passing the Eaglehawk Creek.

Finally we arrived at Traralgon Station where the VLocity train was waiting.

It was a wonderful long ride to train myself and to know Gippsland.

Other rail trail stories:

The Trail to Port Fairy

Spring has come to Australia

Brompton goes to the Great Victorian Rail Trail (the Goulburn Valley rail trail)

Brompton goes to Lilydale Warburton Rail Trail

The Trail to Port Fairy

Last weekend I went for a Brompton ride on the Port Fairy Rail Trail, starting from Warrnambool toward Port Fairy, a truly fairy town in the West Victoria, Australia.

[Ride Data]

Distance: 36.6km

Max. difference of elevation: 71m

Average % of slope: total 0% ascent 2.1% descent 1.9%

Acquired elevation: ascent 134m descent 113m

Sunday at 9 am Brompton and I were in Southern Cross Station, Melbourne, to become a part of the V-line passengers traveling to Warrnambool.

After 3 hours I arrived in Warrnambool. The station was a lovely, brick-built building.

I planned today's 40 km trail ride to Port Fairy one way only. I supposed to return to Warrnambool Station by V-line coach, leveraging the advantage of Brompton's portability. 

I started and went across the town. The building in the back is old Warrnambool Court House.

The trail continues about 37 km from Warrnambool to Port Fairy. Most part of the trail is unpaved and passes through extensive farm land.

Brompton and I ran for an hour and quarter, arriving at old Koroit Station. It was about the middle of the rail trail.

After a short break, I restarted a ride. Still long way ahead to go.

A head wind blew from the south. It was getting more and more windy. The ride could not help but being slowed down.  As I was thirsty and tired then, I took second break on the wooden bridge near old Moyne Station. I had an orange here to be recharged.

After an half hour ride from Moyne Station, I reached the high way crossing. Only 1.6 km was left to Port Fairy.

Finally I arrived in the fancy town. Port Fairy was quiet, historic town by the sea. The old buildings on the center street were well preserved.

The port looked like a pretty harbour for marine leisure.

Sea wind comfortably blew to cool me down. I took the rest by the sea until the V-line coach departed to Warrnambool.

Other Rail Trail Rides:
Spring has come to Australia
Brompton goes to the Great Victorian Rail Trail (the Goulburn Valley rail trail)
Brompton goes to Lilydale Warburton Rail Trail

Spring has come to Australia

Yesterday I went out for a Brompton ride to Yarra Valley, looking for incoming of Spring in Australia.

［data］
Route: Millgrove～Wandin (a section of Warburton Rail Trail)
Distance: 25.2km

Lilydale Warburton Rail Trail is a popular trail near Melbourne with distance of 40 kilo meters, leading to Yarra Junction and Warburton. 

In the weekend a lot of riders enjoyed cycling and horse riding on the trail.

Cherry blossoms bloomed. Spring has come. 

Water and green have filled meadows in upper Yarra.  

A short break at Woori Yallock Station.

A lot of families came to enjoy a bike ride on the trail.

Coffee time at Seville Carriage Cafe.

I ended up today' ride around Wandin Station. Let's choose a bus ride from Wandin North to Lilydale Station to go home.