Bromptons Are Go!

Thursday, August 4, 2016

BWC 2016 in London

On Saturday July 30, 2016, the 11th Brompton World Championship race was held in Central London as a part of the Prudential RideLondon Cycling Festival.

More than 500 Bromptoneers coming from all over the world took a ride on a world famous route with iconic sights of London such as The Mall, St James’s Park and Horse Guards Parade. My Brompton S2L with a red saddle ran through the air at full throttle.

The riders were fashionable and certainly looked very proud of being a part of this premium event.

We were all relaxed and enjoyed chat in the hospitality area for hours. Time was already passed a quarter to seven. It was about time to assemble and to put a bike at each position to start.

Three, two, one, go, unfold, and start!

(Source: Brompton Bicycle Official Facebook)

The riders rushed on the Mall straight toward Buckingham Palace.

(Source: Brompton Bicycle Official Facebook)

Up! Up! Cutting through the air of Birdcage Walk along the St. James Park. But my feet were almost screaming.

The race finished. It is time to enjoy drinking with comrades.

Then we noticed that our fabulous friend was awarded in 3 consecutive years. What a great day! Congratulations!

Though my record was ordinary again, I wished to come back here to be a part of the BWC.

Monday, July 18, 2016

Another Training for BWC 2016 London

BWC 2016, the most important annual event for Bromptoneers, is coming very soon. I am quite pleased that I can feel the excitement of that ride in full throttle on the Mall again.

Today I went through another training in both St. Kilda and Mt. Dandenong.

Starting the ride with S2L at Dockland for today's warming up.

Next, I moved onto St. Kilda Beach by Tram 109 then unfolded the bike to start for a 5 km ride to the pier with full throttle.

Average speed recorded 26.8 km/h for the ride. Not that bad.

After lunch, I grabbed another Brompton, M3L with 44T chain ring, and got on Belgrave Line to Boronia Station. The section from Basin to Sassafras has 6.8 km to go and about 300 meters to ascend. I suppose this 30-minute enduring training is ideal for the race in London.

Reached Sassafras of Mt. Dandenong. The time was 31 minutes and 55 seconds and average speed was 12.75 km/h. Fair.

I will soon get a secret weapon from Cory for the race. When I install it to my S2L, I am ready to go.

Brompton World Championship Final

The 11th Brompton World Championship Final will take place as part of the Prudential RideLondon festival of cycling on Saturday 30th July at 1915. This is the second time the race has been held in the capital, where the Brompton bike was invented and it still made today.

Last year’s event saw participants from over 20 nations taking part with a star-studded field including British cycling stars David Millar and Michael Hutchinson. Sportswear most definitely is not permitted with a strictly no Lycra rule. Competitors start the race with a Le Mans-style mad dash, unfolding their bikes before taking on the 16km circuit. Mark Emsley was last year’s Male winner storming to the finish in 00:26:45 and Isabel Hastie took the Women’s crown in 00:28:49.

We look forward to seeing you on The Mall in July.

http://www.brompton.com/Events/Posts/2016/BWC-London-Final-2016

Related Article:
Training for BWC 2016 London
BWC 2015 in London

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Training for BWC 2016 London

BWC 2016, the most important annual event for Bromptoneers, is coming soon.

I joined BWC 2015 London last year. It was a great fun and I never forget the excitement of that ride in full throttle on the Mall. I decided to participate the race again.

Today I went to Mt. Dandenong for a hill climb training. The race is expected to last about 30 minutes for 16 km. I need to exercise a 30 min non-stop ride with full throttle. I suppose that the hill road toward Sassafras is ideal for the training because the hill gives an appropriate load to my legs for about 30 minutes. Do you know why I need to train? It is of course to win. (Are you serious?)

[ride data]
From a foot of the mountain to Sassafras
Distance 6.95km
Average % of slope 4.3%
Acquired elevation 299m
Time 32 min. 46 sec.
Average speed 12.6km/h

Approaching Sassafras!

Reached the goal! Average speed for distance 6.95 km and 299 m ascending was 12.6km/hour. Not so bad!

I will bring my light-weight S2L (Raw Lacquer) in the race. Looking forward to seeing you in London!

Brompton World Championship Final

http://www.brompton.com/Events/Posts/2016/BWC-London-Final-2016

Related Article:
BWC 2015 in London

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Main Yarra Trail

Last weekend Brompton and I went for a 40 km ride through Main Yarra Trail from Eltham to CBD.

[data]
Route: The Main Yarra Trail (Eltham Station to Melbourne CBD)
Distance 39.8km
Average Speed: 18.8 km/hour
Max. Difference of Elevation: 51m
Average % of Slope: total -0.1% ascent 3% descent 3%
Acquired Elevation: ascent 240m descent 276m

Toward north east from Melbourne Flinders Street Station, it takes an hour to get to Eltham Station where is close to the start point of The Main Yarra Trail.

Brompton confortably went over the trail moderately undulating.

The trail continued alongside the river.

It was a popular trail. There were a lot of people running and walking. I met so many bike riders on the trail.

I was passing a section called Yarra Bent. The road around had ups and downs to place a moderate stress on my physical. Because of its location of a height, the views were great to overlook the CBD.

Before dark Brompton and I arrived in Melbourne CBD. The distance of the ride was 39.8 km. It was a good ride.

Related Article:

[Brompton Hill Climb story]
The road to the summit of Mt. Dandenong
Brompton climbs in Victoria

[Rail trails story]
Brompton goes to Lilydale Warburton Rail Trail
Brompton goes to the Great Victorian Rail Trail (the Goulburn Valley rail trail)

[Other rides in Australia]
Bromptons went to St. Kilda Pier
Brompton goes goldmining

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

The road to the summit of Mt. Dandenong

Yesterday Brompton and I went to the peak of Mt Dandenong with an elevation of 633 meters above sea level.

[Ride Data]
Route: Upper Ferntree Gully Station (Belgrave Line) → Sassafras → Olinda → Summit of Mt. Dandenong
Distance: 15.9km
Max. difference of elevation: 503m
Average % of slope: 3.1%　(First 5 km 7.1%)
Total ascent: 649m (descent: 150m)

Brompton and I started the ride at Upper Ferntree Gully Station. As some of you may know, a part of Belgrave Line was under maintenance works last weekend. I took a tram with folded brompton from CBD to Camberwell Station then changed to Metro Belgrave Line. A portability is one of Brompton's advantages.

The first 5 km was relatively hard because an average inclination recorded 7.1%. It means that I ascended by 351 meters for the distance of only 5 km.

After the first section, the slope gradually became less steep.

On the way, I found a lot of people and cars in Sassafras. All the parking spaces were full. Miss Maples Tea Room was amazingly crowded.

The road continued and we were passing Olinda.

Interesting! Cameria blooms in June.

Brompton and I were approaching the peak.

When I saw the transmission towers, I understood that the location must be a peak.

Finally reached the summit. I took a rest for a while and overlooked Melbourne from the mound. But....wait! Why there are only a few people here? Where is that famous Sky High Restaurant?

Fifteen minutes later I found that it was not the peak of Mt. Dandenong but of Mt. Corhanwarrabul with an elevation of 628m, 5 meters lower than Mt. Dandenong. It was a wrong peak.

Hurry! The time is already 11:30. I want to grab one of the seats in Sky High before it becomes full.

Finally I reached the peak of Mt. Dandenong with an elevation of 633 meters above sea level.

The panoramic view from the peak was wonderful. CBD was clearly seen on that day. However, Sky High was fully booked. I did not know Sky High was that popular restaurant. I must make a reservation in advance when I climb up here next time.