London to Paris folding bike
 

I normally use my folding bike for commuting around london but I have just found this www.foldingbikechallenge.com ...has anyone else checked it out? I am thinking of getting a team together.....
Has anyone else done long distances on a folding bike before?

One word answer is yes. There are people who take folders around the world with them, specially the high-performance folders like Bike Friday.

Take a look in the folding bike section of this forum.

That ride sounds fun though. I'm tempted.

Last week I did a 300 mile trip on my Bike Friday over 6 days. It was wonderful. I'd love to do the challenge, but finances will keep me on this side of the pond this year. Maybe next year...

Sure.... I'd say 50-60 miles a day is doable on most folders, as long as a) the bike fits right, b) the gearing is sufficient and c) the components are in good shape. And plenty of people do extensive tours on their folders.

I might sign up for that. Looks like a laugh. I think I'd take the Merc over the SLO, though. Any takers?



EDIT:

Oh - hold that - on looking further I see that you have to raise £1200 or you pay an extra £650 yourself..... Not such a jolly jape then.

The trip does look like a lot of fun! Hmmmm. Some good airfares on sale right now....

London to Paris on a folder. How glamorous is that? Sounds like the perfect trip for the Moulton (breakapart frames are eligible).

But if you don't raise £1200 in charity sponsorship Sesame, it will cost you your registration fee of £99 AND £650, plus your airfares..... If you get the £1200 in sponsorship - it's only £99 which would have been a laugh. I'm just thinking who I know that would have sponsored me..... Not enough to make that much, I think.

When Dr. Moulton was developing the 17" tire with Wobler in the late 1970s, they tested Wolber's latest effort for a while and then one of Moulton's assistants was sent to the Wolber factory in France to deliver the feedback. Good work if you can get it: he made this business trip riding a Moulton bike!

tcs

I suggest you do a bit of research into how much goes to the "administration" of this event. Sadly it seems only a small portion goes to charity, so you may do better supporting a worthwhile cause directly. Check the "terms & conditions *very* carefully. Personally I would not do it.

It depends on what you mean by "long" :-)

I've ridden 50 miles on a M3L Brompton, & 80 on a Hammerhead 7 (oops, that doesn't fold :-) )
with no ill effects other than needing more beer at the end.

I intend to do 100 miles ride on a M3L this year, having recently modified my crankset.

HTH,
john

Thanks for that warning cyclistjohn.

This was discussed on the Brompton Group recently... certainly not as good as it first seems. The company are making money and giving a portion to charity.

Thanks for the "sanity check" on this event.

My SmoothHound, which I converted to drop bars and Capreo rear cogs, is now my routine training bike. Regular ride is about 50 miles, with over 3,000 ft of climbing. Wheel size don't make much difference to one's ability to ride longer distances, IMHO. I like to ride them just to be perverse and different.

Since you've done 80 miles on your Hammerhead, I'll have to one-up that and give it a full 100. :D Will report back...