Folding Bikes - Hyde Park Folding Bicycle Society (UK) 2011 Season

Dear Presidents and Cadets

Welcome to another season of the HPFBS. As many of you will know, the Society exists to promote healthy excercise, a sound mind, and occasionally, random aquatic pursuits in the heart of one of London's most beautiful Royal Parks.

It meets at the Bar & Kitchen Café (formerly The Dell) by the Serpentine in Hyde Park on the 1st Sunday of the month at ten o'clock, local time.There is no fixed agenda, other than a meeting for coffee followed by an undemanding and pleasant group ride on folding bicycles around London's many sights. Luncheon is sometimes partaken al fresco. All are welcome and the Society has its own spiffing crest, and everything.
(http://www.hpfbs.org)
As Communications Officer for the HPFBS I look forwards to welcoming many old, familiar faces and some jolly bright new ones at the first meeting in 2011, and now throw the floor open in the customary manner to request suggestions for the date of the Opening Meeting for 2011.

Thank you.

God Save The Queen

...counting up my airline miles as we type.... :)

...counting up my airline miles as we type.... :)


I love the British Summertime. It's my favourite day of the year...

Bring pies. You know what these people are like.

Hi everybody - I'm throwing Sunday March 6th into the hat as I'll be scooting about town that day.

That sounds like a plan, Nigel !

Great D. be good to see you. Maybe S. and F. might make it

N.

Hey guys,

I haven't been around here for a while, but I will be in the area on Sunday (though not available for the full outing).

At least meet up for coffee! If the weather is better than today that is
191400

Is it still on for sunday? I'd like to meet for coffee then wave goodbye as you set off on a great adventure.

Oh, and you might like to start with Kensington Gardens. There are Anish Kapoor sculptures scattered around (large, curved mirrors mostly), and they are only there for another week.

Hi there Joan

I will endeavour to be in Hyde Park 10:00 on 6/3/2011.

See ya

Nigel

Well, I have an appointment at the north end of Hyde Park at midday. So I will partake of breakfast on the serpentine at 10 am.

I'll be the one with the unconvincing red hair and the mezzo. Shivering ...

Snafu???

joan

The first Hyde Park Folding Bicycle Society meeting of 2011 took place on a chilly March morn with three familiar faces and a newbie on a B'twin. Mezzos (or should that be Mezzi) were the predominant Folder on show, there being two with a Downtube being the other machine - No Bromptons were to be seen anywhere.

Coffees and tea were had on the frozen shores of the Serpentine where a member of the Park Constabulary, on a Smith & Weston big wheeled bike, regaled us with the History of almost everything. B'Twin departed and then there were three - We scooted across to Kensington Gardens to where some huge mirrors had been left (see pics). One member preferring to be massaged than cycle about in the cold bid fair well and the remaining pair parted after a leisurely ride around Kensington. A tentative start to the new season.

Anyone up for this coming Sunday, 3rd April ?

Anyone up for this coming Sunday, 3rd April ?
7 hours ago I would have said "yes, me" but since then I've trashed my bike (and myself). If ATB sales gets the new front wheel to Evans by friday, and I can get out of bed tomorrow morning (two big ifs at the moment), then I'm up for it. Chances are small, right now though.

joan

(will post exciting report about my crash tonight, UK time)

Sorry to hear of your crash Joan. Was the loose steering at fault?

Well I'm up for Sunday but does me and thee (Diode100) comprise a quorum - a forum quorum.

Sunday promises to be 18c with a gendle Sou'wesderly. Come cyclelists, put on yer spats and join the merry band.

Sorry to hear of your crash Joan. Was the loose steering at fault?


Loose steering, yes. But not the bike's, it was me! Concentrating on 3 other things, I steered into the path of a single speed. He bounced off me, undamaged. He jumped up, checked his bike and himself, made sure I was "ok" and headed off. Damned unbreakable teenagers.

My front rim is bent, which made it stop turning rather suddenly. I flew over the handlebars - I think - though I'm a bit mystified as to how I ended up flat on my back with feet facing the bike. The bruises on my thighs suggest I must have grazed the handlebar on the way over and the fact that my handlebar-mounted-phone was with me and not still on the bike is a further indicator. (I don't have any memory loss, I'm just not sure my body position in the air)

New wheel is on order, and luckily my arse took the brunt - for which it's well equipped - so if I manage to get the bike back on the road, I'll join you. However, I won't be sure until Sunday morning probably.

ouch!

but suddenly I'm glad the Mezzo is under geared: I was probably well under 16mph when we struck.

joan

Damned unbreakable teenagers.

With teenagers you have to hit them from the side, and hard (I should put a jokey icon here to explicate the humourous intent). I just had an idea about having one of those Cow-breaking bars on the front with a built in airbag - the must have accessory for the summer.

Did your helmet survive?

Are you replacing the wheel with the standard mezzo or going for a snazzy velolicious lite upgrade?

It would be lovely if you could make it but you've a lot of things to mend by the weekend so speedy recovery.

thanks for the invitation

i'll be there in spirit!

With teenagers you have to hit them from the side, and hard (I should put a jokey icon here to explicate the humourous intent). I just had an idea about having one of those Cow-breaking bars on the front with a built in airbag - the must have accessory for the summer.

Cow bar would have helped, and deal nicely with pedestrians too. Only problem is it might interfere with the fold.


Did your helmet survive?

Helmet is ok. Only contact with ground was voluntary. Flat on my back, I let my head drop back, knowing the helmet was there. However, it might be an excuse to replace with something cute from Bobbin Cycles.


Are you replacing the wheel with the standard mezzo or going for a snazzy velolicious lite upgrade?
Damn you! Now I have buyers remorse for a wheel! Picked the standard wheel, as it's an easy solution.

Oh, and amusingly I've never had a flat on the front tyre in 3 years. It makes it like a car. Flatten the tyre and replace the whole wheel.

I took the bike into Evans next to work and they estimated 2-3 weeks for the replacement part. It turns out this is 3 days from supplier to Evans' Gatwick warehouse + the rest of the time in Evans internal systems.

A LBS should have it for me on Friday.


It would be lovely if you could make it but you've a lot of things to mend by the weekend so speedy recovery.

Looks like we may not be meeting this month. If it arrives on Friday and if I can pick it up on Saturday and there's no problem fitting it and Saturday's wine and cheese night doesn't get too out of hand then I'll be there. But I think you probably want 3 guarantees for a quorum, so we may be out of luck.

joan

ps I'd clocked up 620km for March before this set back!

There will be no Hyde Park Meeting this month due to unforeseen circumstances and not reaching the forum quorum before um! Sunday

The 1st Sunday of May, is in fact a Sunday. (Hello everyone.) Newly out of hibernation, with glossy fur and a wet nose, I hope you all (at short notice) are up for a trundle on Sunday. I have a Mystery Bicycle to show off, and a planet-wrecking 4x4 to make up for the weedy eco-bicycle. I can thus drive up to London, using only 50% of the planet's remaining resources.

Who is up for this fun-tastic event?

Hmm? (How is Joaningtons?)

Joan is happily escaping the royal whatsit (I'm a republican) in Barcelona.

Sadly, bicycle free as you can't hire a bicing (http://www.bicing.cat/) unless you are a resident.

Argh, I'm also unavailable 5 June, as involved in a big lunch (http://www.thebiglunch.com/)

Anyone available July?

Will there be pies?


http://i51.tinypic.com/314usci.jpg

I'm up for it, my tie is still unused!


Juan

I'd love to keep this going, and I can't make the first Sunday in June, so anyone fancy 12 June instead?

joan

Hi Joan

Unfortunately I'm in Liverpool that weekend but can make the 19th.

Anyone available July?

Is the Society planning an outing?

EDIT: I'm an idiot: my bike is in for repairs on Sunday (will post separately about that).

Anyone care to lead this one?

I'm Free!

available for a scoot on July 3rd - Anyone else about?

I am very happy to see what you do with folding bikes. My name is Enrique Casanovas from Spain, I organize in 2010 the biggest TEAM of Stridas ever in the Smithfield Nocturne, thank you for your comments. Also I have the Nº1 WEB in FOLDING LIFE in Spain, nearly 600.000 people watching us every month(Nielsen net rating) www.foldinglife.com. I would love to have a ride with you and your colligues sometime in London. Have a nice Summer. I will be in Stratford upon avon the 3 and 4 of august with my Strida.

EDIT: I'm an idiot: my bike is in for repairs on Sunday (will post separately about that).



Moulton bike ? which half is been serviced LOL.

Dear Presidents, ex-Presidents, and Cadets,

I note members of the HPFBS are flagging slightly, so please allow me to rally you all for the forthcoming August meeting on Sunday 7th at the usual venue, 10:00. The August meeting is traditionally a time when Presidents let their hair down, and toss bicycles, car keys and other trinkets into the Serpentine Lake, then send the last person to arrive into the lake to collect them. What fun!

I will be there, although I have to go Nottingham in the Great White North the previous week, so will be fatigued, and probably, mugged. I went to Sheffield, once, by mistake, so I will be emotionally drained on my return and in need of bicycling. My own studies (I am at Uni most of the time) forbid me to whip the feckless along more than a couple of weekends a year, but I shall try for the 7th August.

I have a new bicycle - an Oyama St James, with some sort of revolving contraption in the back wheel, instead of a disraylia, so I will bring that. I hope it floats.

To members with mechanical issues: it is usually much simpler to throw broken bicycles away than it is to repair them. Then, new ones can be purchased for Presidents to gad about on, at HPFBS meetings.
Just a thought.

Bring pies, etc.

Kind regards, and God Bless the Queen.

S

@ Enrique Casanovas

Thank you on behalf of the HPFBS. We extend the warm arms of brotherly friendship to folding bicyclists all over the world, and Spain. If you are in London on 7th August please come along for a ride. We are very friendly and welcoming.

Espero que su biicycles nunca caen as they say in Barcelona.

Kind regards
Sue

Dear Presidents, ex-Presidents, and Cadets,

I note members of the HPFBS are flagging slightly, so please allow me to rally you all for the forthcoming August meeting on Sunday 7th at the usual venue, 10:00. The August meeting is traditionally a time when Presidents let their hair down, and toss bicycles, car keys and other trinkets into the Serpentine Lake, then send the last person to arrive into the lake to collect them. What fun!

I will be there, although I have to go Nottingham in the Great White North the previous week, so will be fatigued, and probably, mugged.

S
You should be OK now, I moved away from Nottingham last year.

You should be OK now, I moved away from Nottingham last year.

Hello!

How are things up there? Have there been any polar bear attacks this year? Are you coming to the HPFBS Annual Jamboree on the 7th August?

Yay!

Snafu/Crew

I'll be there on the 7. Looking forward to checking out a bike decorated with the top of the market in mind (http://www.oyama.eu/st-james.php). We have to pick a route that includes the part of CS8 (http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/15832.aspx) that is north of the river. A beautiful, lane wide (on both sides!) that runs along the embankment.

Enrique: if you can only make it mid week, I could meet you after work for a quick pootle around central London. Once we set a time, we could invite others to join us - though it will probably just be you and me. Not to steal the thunder of the Sunday ride, of course.

Good-oh. If anyone has Wild Man Mulleady's phone number could they text him? The HPFBS August Jamboree is not an event to be missed. I am blessed with a broken pooter and no broadband at the mo, so hooking up here is intermittant. It is the curse of country life: It smells funny, and you cannot get a decent latté. Then your wifi is blocked by a passing cow.

And if my new bike does not arrive, Winstanley's Bikes will have something to answer for. Tho' they are usually on the ball. As you point out, the Oyama St James is indeed a luxury urban bike for professionals with a feeling for urban trends. Its only flaw, as far as I can see is the idiotic hub-gear contraption on the back wheel.


s

I will be there, although I have to go Nottingham in the Great White North the previous week, so will be fatigued, and probably, mugged. I went to Sheffield, once, by mistake, .....

Interesting that you have visited Nottingham and Sheffield, Jenny Eclair has also recently visited these places, you are not related are you, or perhaps one and the same ?

What decided you to go for the 3 speed whirlygig, when there was a 7 speed whirlygig available, there is always safety in numbers you know. I have of late been lusting over an Arnimal Rhino, black or white, I'm not sure. It has an 8spd Alfin and costs a heart stopping amount of money, but it could be just the thing for those rough Hyde Park trails.

"Interesting that you have visited Nottingham and Sheffield, Jenny Eclair has also recently visited these places, you are not related are you, or perhaps one and the same ?"

Ah! Diode100! What-ho, old bean.

I am cursed to have a chum in Gnottingham, who insists on me visiting her to eat 'mushy peas and ******s.' ( The idiotic censoring software on this forum has asterisked out f.a.g.g.o.t.s. - an English food stuff. ) Another chum, unfortunately, lives in Sheffield. She insists it is the cultural centre of Oop North, ( a monicker first burglared by Liverpool) but forgets that, for me, going further north than Guildford results in severe culture shock. Nor yet can I understand the lingo.

I bought the Oyama St James, - a bicycle of note - becoz it was half price. If I had paid full price I could have got a proper bike with a disraielygher - but now I'm an impovershed Arts student, then I must cut my cloth according to my scissors. (What?)

The Oyama is very beautiful, and has a wheel at each end, as you'd expect. There is a smidgin of gold paint about it to emphasise its nobility. Only the vile Shimano Nexus 3 hub-dragger lets it down, but I'm sure I'll get used to it. The 7 speed Oyama - the Bloomsbury, in champagne finish, was out of stock, hence the three speed . I also wrongly hoped that the three speed would be lighter. :-(

*** AUGUST 7TH meet *** NEWSFLASH ***

Hyde Park is closed to almost everything on the weekend of 6/7th August for a triathlon. We must decamp to Camp B. Where shall we meet?

Suggestions: last year we discussed going to Richmond Park. MAybe this is the time? If that's too remote (1/2 hour from embankment), hilly or deery for you, then regents park would be my next choice.

Good-oh, either are fine by me, tho' the London Presidents may prefer a local localé. Shall we take a consensus near the day?

I think one of our Presidents is a Triathlist, he may be triathling around Hyde Park on the day.

Sounds fine.

Another suggestion: Greenwich and we can check out the Olympic preparations (and I can rail against the evilness of the Olympics)

joan

Suggestions: last year we discussed going to Richmond Park. MAybe this is the time? If that's too remote (1/2 hour from embankment), hilly or deery for you, then regents park would be my next choice.

Regents park has very few cycling paths, i think you are pretty much limited to the inner and outer circles. Bushey Park is supposed to be bike friendly, so I'm told.

Yes, all fine. My undoubtedly beautiful but so far hypothetical Oyama hasn't arrived. I may have to bring an Ordinary Bicycle to the August Jamboree to test its flotation. Where can my Oyama be?

I was always tickled pink by Hitler's invention of the Olympic Torch, which we now cart about the Free World as a symbol of, erm, something. It's a good job that Hitler was not fond of bicycling, else we would all be riding around on Panzers, instead of Bromptons.

Where can my Oyama be?


There are still two weeks to go, so don't worry Cinderella, you shall go to the ball.

Good-oh, either are fine by me, tho' the London Presidents may prefer a local localé. Shall we take a consensus near the day?

I think one of our Presidents is a Triathlist, he may be triathling around Hyde Park on the day.

On a folder I hope

Regents park has very few cycling paths, i think you are pretty much limited to the inner and outer circles. Bushey Park is supposed to be bike friendly, so I'm told.

We are just looking for a meeting place. The journey is almost certainly outside the park.

I'd vote against Bushy Park: I don't think it;s as nice as Richmond, and not as well served by public transport. A lot flatter though.

Hmm, though we could go through Richmond park, through Kingston, along the river to Hampton Court then through Bushy Park to Teddington station - then back to Richmond/Waterloo ....

Someone stop me!

Perhaps this time we might meet at Buck House, where we can take a consensus, there being the element of pot luck on who will arrive, there could even be cadets arriving, who might prefer to be local.

There is a large monument outside Madge's House which cannot be missed, even by the myopic. We might meet opposite her gates unless the toy soldiers are out, though we would eschew the Hyde Park tea and bun breakfast, part of the HPFBS lore.

The Olympic Velodrome is open, I'm told. I wonder if they would let us have a go of it?

EDIT:

The Oyama St James has not been despatched by Winstanleys. This is of no use; the luxury urban bike for professionals with a feeling for urban trends, remains in a shed in Wigan. Are there professionals with a feeling for urban trends in Wigan? I am beginning to have my doubts.

Nonetheless, I have been to my LBS, where the scoundrels have sold me a *********. It has some sort of lump in the back wheel where the hub should be, and appears to be made of bent gas-pipe. What can it be? It is quite the ugliest bike I have ever owned.

http://i53.tinypic.com/2060cx3.jpg

What the hell is that? Certainly not a classic, neatly modeled folding bike, inspired by city life.

You have joined the dark side.

As to the August meeting, agreed staying central makes sense, but I'm not coming if there won't be lemon drizzle cake. Let's see if I can find a suitable cafe in the vicinity.

Or we could go near are old hunting ground, and meet at the Broadwalk Cafe (http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington_gardens/facilities.cfm) in Kensington Gardens - no triathlons there.

Inn the Park (http://www.peytonandbyrne.co.uk/inn-the-park/index.html) looks fab, but probably a little out of our normal budget. Though perhaps we could finish the day there, with the luxury afternoon tea

Luxury Afternoon Tea £22.50
With a glass Of Saint Evremond Champagne £26.50
Water Ross smoked salmon, potted crab & apple with soda bread crisps. Selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked buttermilk scone, homemade strawberry jam with organic Cornish clotted cream, selection of cakes and your choice of tea
I'm sure they wouldn't mind our cycles stashed in various nooks in the restaurant.

Perhaps this time we might meet at Buck House, where we can take a consensus, there being the element of pot luck on who will arrive, there could even be cadets arriving, who might prefer to be local.

There is a large monument outside Madge's House which cannot be missed, even by the myopic. We might meet opposite her gates unless the toy soldiers are out, though we would eschew the Hyde Park tea and bun breakfast, part of the HPFBS lore.

The Olympic Velodrome is open, I'm told. I wonder if they would let us have a go of it?

EDIT:

The Oyama St James has not been despatched by Winstanleys. This is of no use; the luxury urban bike for professionals with a feeling for urban trends, remains in a shed in Wigan. Are there professionals with a feeling for urban trends in Wigan? I am beginning to have my doubts.

Nonetheless, I have been to my LBS, where the scoundrels have sold me a *********. It has some sort of lump in the back wheel where the hub should be, and appears to be made of bent gas-pipe. What can it be? It is quite the ugliest bike I have ever owned.

http://i53.tinypic.com/2060cx3.jpg

Thankfully I can ID this bike Sanfu.
Its a "Merc" or a flamingo made by a plumber in Taiwan.