Brompton England Bike Tour 2018
06-25-18, 08:17 AM
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Brompton England Bike Tour 2018
Hi All, just returned from my first tour on the new Brompton. Basically it was a complete success and I'm very impressed by the capabilities of the bike. This was "credit card" touring, no camping or cooking.
Route: Chester to Worcester, through the Shropshire Hills. Short train transfer, then 3 day loop through the Cotswalds. About 50% on Sustrans national cycling routes.
Bike: Brompton M6L.
Mods: 39t chainring. Left (folding) pedal drilled and right pedal replaced for toe clips.
Luggage: Brompton T-bag
Lock: Kryptonite Evolution 7 with cable.
Route: Chester to Worcester, through the Shropshire Hills. Short train transfer, then 3 day loop through the Cotswalds. About 50% on Sustrans national cycling routes.
Bike: Brompton M6L.
Mods: 39t chainring. Left (folding) pedal drilled and right pedal replaced for toe clips.
Luggage: Brompton T-bag
Lock: Kryptonite Evolution 7 with cable.
06-25-18, 09:40 AM
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Congratulations, very exciting! How much time per day did you dedicate to the long-distance riding vs hanging around the end destinations or stops?
06-25-18, 09:49 AM
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Day one I got carried away and did 64 hilly miles to Shrewsbury, arriving appx 6pm. So I took day 2 off completely and explored the city, which is worth a whole day, imo.
After that my average day was about 38 miles, with lots of stopping and looking around at stuff. Day 5 was a full day in Ludlow, with a morning day-ride loop plus afternoon town exploring. Day 7 was another full day off in Worcester too. The whole tour was 10 days.
06-25-18, 11:18 AM
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Nice! How did you end up packing/shipping the bike? And did you often fold/take inside, or just lock outside? You going to get into self-supported (camping/cooking) touring next?
06-25-18, 11:48 AM
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Bike folded into checked luggage on the flight (Samsonite Stryde Glider Long Journey).
I typically took it into restaurants/pubs etc. But I did lock it outside from time to time in prominent places & daylight hours.
I would have to think pretty hard about self-supported touring on the Brompton. I know people do it, but you'd have to be pretty minimalist, I think. I did it years ago on touring and mountain bikes. Right now I'm liking the luxury of bought meals and rooms.
06-25-18, 12:19 PM
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Looks like a great cost effective alternative to the B&B hardcase, but dang still 1" oversize (although I doubt anyone will take the tape measure out), do you think it will fit a B w/rack? Assume you stored case at hotel that you stayed first/last day? I'm still searching for the ideal solution to fly in one airport, and out a different airport.
Did you reserve rooms/have specific itinerary, or daily impromptu decisions?
hehe... the Brompton, paired with getting into UL/minimalist backpacking, was the only thing to get me back into bike touring again.
Thanks for the info.
Did you reserve rooms/have specific itinerary, or daily impromptu decisions?
hehe... the Brompton, paired with getting into UL/minimalist backpacking, was the only thing to get me back into bike touring again.
Thanks for the info.
06-25-18, 12:43 PM
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Looks like a great cost effective alternative to the B&B hardcase, but dang still 1" oversize (although I doubt anyone will take the tape measure out), do you think it will fit a B w/rack? Assume you stored case at hotel that you stayed first/last day? I'm still searching for the ideal solution to fly in one airport, and out a different airport.
Did you reserve rooms/have specific itinerary, or daily impromptu decisions?
hehe... the Brompton, paired with getting into UL/minimalist backpacking, was the only thing to get me back into bike touring again.
Thanks for the info.
Did you reserve rooms/have specific itinerary, or daily impromptu decisions?
hehe... the Brompton, paired with getting into UL/minimalist backpacking, was the only thing to get me back into bike touring again.
Thanks for the info.
Typically I would plan the next days route and reserve the next nights room each night over my dinner. I think this was made easier by traveling not in max high season, and hitting the Cotswolds on weeknights.
Last edited by dgodave; 06-25-18 at 02:42 PM.
06-26-18, 10:41 AM
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Thanks for posting. Lovely photos! I would love to do such a trip one day.
How do you have your bike lock attached to the seat post? Does not look like a permanent attachment - which is ideal for Brommie.
How do you have your bike lock attached to the seat post? Does not look like a permanent attachment - which is ideal for Brommie.
06-26-18, 09:52 PM
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Last edited by dgodave; 06-26-18 at 09:55 PM.
