Happy Christmas! & Quote #2

Happy Christmas everyone! I hope you have a wonderful, peaceful Christmas.

I for one have headed to my childhood home in Bristol and will be busy seeing lots of family and friends over the next week. I have had to leave my bike(s) in Newcastle but will hopefully be able to borrow one here (I come from a cycling family so there is normally at least one spare bike lying around at home!).

I had some amazing news earlier on this week: I have been offered a job which will involve encouraging children, young people and families to cycle. It's perfect and I am absolutely over the moon about it, it feels like a dream. I look forward to being even more in the cycling world and having big opportunities to share the joy of cycling with others.

I was given a congratulatory card by some friends of mine with a fantastic quote on it. I shall leave you with that now:

"When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race." - H.G. Wells

Summit Different

Christmas is fast approaching and I am enjoying all the gift guides and present ideas that are flooding my inbox and magazines.

Although my Christmas list is already done and I have pretty much bought all the presents I need to, I came across these cycle jerseys that I just had to share.

Available at summit different, these cycle jerseys are, as the name suggests, pretty different and quirky. A nice change from the usual sporty lycra you see.
I've never worn a proper cycle jersey before. I tend to wear cotton t-shirts and, if needed, posh merino wool base layers :-) However I might get me one of these if I consider getting a 'proper' top.

I particularly like the 'Chat Noir' one as I'm a big fan of art nouveau designs and the colours are great but I also like the fun 'Cat in the Hat' one, although the colours wouldn't suit me as much. Bit of a cat theme emerging here...

Travelling companion

Check out this fellow folding-bike that has joined my Brompton for our sunny train journey into Newcastle. It's a suspension folding bike from Germany, called a Birdy.

I'm a bit jealous of all those gears and the handsome rack (teehee) but the owner says it doesnt fold down small at all. It takes up the whole of his car boot.

A pretty good and sturdy-looking thing but I think my beautiful Brompton wins in all-over awesomeness stakes :) It was nice to have a nerdy chat with the owner though and wax lyrical about folding bikes.

Bike Snob NYC

I'm currently reading 'Bike Snob', a quirky, witty book written by Eben Weiss, the blogger behind Bike Snob NYC. I'll be Captain Obvious here and state it's a book about bikes and cycling... I'm only a few pages in but it's a good read and has made me even more enthusiastic about bikes. I love his taxonomy of cyclists and I'll let you know when I've read them all which one I think I am...although I think I may be a hybrid of a few of them.

It's got some great quotes in it too.

Quote to inspire cycling #1

“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.” – Arthur Conan Doyle

Top Tip #1: keeping warm on a frosty morn

I've just cycled into work and have to share this top tip with everyone braving the cold, crisp air on their bikes.

Get a Buff.

I'm lucky enough to have an extra long merino wool one which I wore this morning. I wore it as a balaclava and although I was slightly fashion-conscious at first, once I had my helmet on, it didn't look too daft. My goodness it kept me warm and snug though. As it's extra long it covered all of my neck and stopped any breezes getting down my collar. Then it covered my ears and kept my whole head warm and cosy. The wool is really soft and felt gorgeous next to my skin. I had slight visibility issues when I looked behind me on my bike because I had too much fabric at the sides of my face but some playing around with how to wear it will correct this.

I think they're quite pricey (particularly the merino wool versions - £22.00) but I really do think they're worth it. I've used mine as a neck-warmer, hat, bandana, headband, wrist warmer and, erhem, a hankie (I was stuck for tissues at the top of a mountain and gave it a good wash afterwards). I now own 3 (the 2 others are the original shorter and lighter fabric ones which are great for the summer and can be used for all the same functions I mentioned above) and I've got my eyes on a polar fleece one to keep my neck extra warm as it gets colder and colder!

Ode to Brompton (someone else's).

Yesterday, I happened across this article. I think I was originally searching for something about female Brompton-ers but this Independent article, from Will Self, came up in the search and proved a fantastic read.

I laughed out loud at some of his points as I share the exact same sentiments or opinions. Specifically his pre-conceptions surrounding Bromptons and their owners and then his joy of owning his own Brompton and using it day after day, for a whole variety of trips. I also share his desire for Brompton accessories (such as the bag) and the slight fantasy-awe of the titanium versions.

I have always liked Will Self's subjects that he writes about. As a human geographer by degree, I am fascinated by psychogeography and during my final year studies on the subject I came across a lot of his writing. Finding out he is also a Brompton-er only makes me admire him even more.

Portrait by Andy Sewell.

1st day of Advent - Christmas ideas!

So, first up, is a book I've come across which I'm going to put on my Christmas wish list. It's produced by the Guardian's Bike Blog (an excellent resource for all things bike and cycling-related, for geeks, obsessives and rookies alike).

I really enjoy reading the Bike Blog so a book that collects a range of different stories, rants, tips and comments about cycling sounds like a great read. I'm particularly keen to find out what is written about the best way to cycle in a summer dress is*. It's not that difficult to get gifts for cyclists but this is probably one to add to that list.

Also, did I mention the price? A bargain at £5.99 from the Guardian bookshop.

*If anyone has any tips for cycling in a maxi dress/skirt - let me know.

Girl meets Brompton

Perhaps a bit about me: I am a Brompton convert and (now) obsessee. I love my Brompton to bits. It has become like a close friend to me.

My Brompton (nameless - maybe I should name it?) was bought off ebay, second hand, by my Dad and given to me for my 22nd birthday. I wasn't expecting one at all and, at the time, I didn't really think I would put one to good use. My Dad has a red one and has had it for years. It's served its purpose of going to London with Dad on the train every now and again and being a spare bike for guests. But apart from that, I just thought they were quite eccentric, male-commuter devices.

However, within a week of receiving my Brompton, I got a job working out in Northumberland and my plans for post-graduation completely changed. Instead of going back to live with my parents in Bristol, I was going to move to Newcastle and commute from there to the offices in Northumberland. There is a train station in the village I work in and so all of a sudden, the Brompton and I found ourselves very conveniently hitched. Since then, our bond has grown stronger and stronger. I wish I'd counted how many miles we've done together but needless to say, I have (almost) had my Brompton with me, folded and unfolded, every day since.

I now wax lyrical about Bromptons, ogle over their accessories and give a cheery smile to other Brompton-ers I pass. One day at Newcastle Central Station, I got chatting to another (female!) Brompton owner who was from London. She said Bromptons are so common-place in London that no one really looks twice at them, whereas up here in Newcastle, we are a small, smug group of cyclists and so we delight in seeing a fellow-folder-up-er and will smile, nod, wave, and sometimes (as has happened to me at least twice), stop and natter at lights. It's great.

Anyway, I could go on and on about how liberating and life-changing the Brompton is but I will resist for now and contribute separate posts on its all-round brilliantness.

Get set..

I've been meaning to start this blog for months. I'm not sure what's stopped me from starting but as I read, pedal and discover bicycling delights, I feel an even greater urge to share these experiences with the ether. Pedal on.