Monkii Clip and Cage for the Brompton

Monkii Clip and Cage for the Brompton

With the Bike MS ride quickly approaching (less than a month away) I'm starting to have anxiety over the little details which I can control, as apposed to the larger issues like my weight and lack of training.  With the Brompton, I couldn't figure out what I was going to do about my water bottle.  Didn't want to carry a front bag or keep the water in my Carradice saddlebag which would require me to stop and get off my bike whenever I needed a drink.  There have been rumors of the elusive official Brompton magnetic water bottle holder which has yet to surface.  Enter Monkii, which is a screw mounted clip which attaches to a separate velcro strap water bottle holder.  Purchased it from Cycle Miles in the UK http://www.cyclemiles.co.uk/, after seeing a number of the member of the London Bicycle Club sporting them on their rides.  Haven't had a chance yet to really test it out, but I like how it doesn't interfere with the fold.  

Weekend was spent cleaning up the Brompton after commuting in the rain last week.  The bike was a complete mess despite having got a new chain the week before.  Also made a slight modification to my Carradice saddle bag.  The bike needed some Doctor Who swag on it.  

Also did some baking with my new cookie cutters from WarpZone Prints.  Very happy with how they turned out visually, though the recipe I used isn't the tastiest cookie.  Tried frosting them, but I liked how they turned out without it.

Brompton Commute

So I'm horribly lazy and really out of shape.  With the UK trip looming in August and spring weather slowly arriving in DC, I honestly have no excuse not to bike into work.  Well, I can always come up with excuses...  Seriously, I'm rather fortunately in that my office is right off the Mt. Vernon bike trail.  It's just over 9 miles from my front door to the office and I get to pass all the major monuments along the National Mall.  It's a beautiful ride. 

Beautiful weekend in DC

It was a crazy weekend, but I was able to get a number of things accomplished and had the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful weather.
Saturday
Saturday morning Reg and I took the Bromptons in for their annual servicing at Bikes Vienna.  Considering we've had them less than a year now, I'm not sure why we did it, but Reg was set on getting his bike in top shape especially after his accident in Philadelphia in the fall.  I ended up needing a new chain, which I'm still trying to figure out why or what I did to cause that.  Like to think it's from all the riding.
After dropping off the bike, we came extremely close to buying a new Jeep Wrangler.  My VW bug is 3 years old, and for some odd reason Reg feels that it's time to trade it in for a new vehicle.  While I would love to get a new car and I certainly love the look and feel of the new jeeps, practical Jason does not understand this whole car fixation.  If it was a bike... completely different story.  As of now, I think we are just waiting to find the right combination of color and features before buying.  Personally I'm still extremely happy with my VW, and looking forward to driving around with the top down come spring.
Car shopping then turned into dashing off to my friend Greg's house to watch the Jon Pertwee's episode of Carnival of Monsters.  Erik also showed up, so it turned into a mini-gay-Gally-reunion.  Need to keep this up.  Hate just seeing everyone at GallifreyOne.  As far as Carnival, I can honestly say I've never seen it before.  It was rather difficult for me to figure out what the hell was going on with all the politics on Inter Minor.  Fortunately we had Jo Grant's boots and rolled up jean shorts to keep us entertained.  It was a long and tedious episode for me, the only highlights were the chemistry between the Doctor and Jo, and my fellow viewers who made it all the more entertaining.
Sunday
I unfortunately agreed to go see Oz on the first truly beautiful day of 2013.  The movie is horrible.  After the first 20 minutes, I knew it was a mistake.   I should have been outside enjoying the weather.  Instead, I was trapped in a dark movie theater subjected to James Franco.  Carnival of Monsters was more entertaining and the special effects far better, and I realize that's saying a lot considering how bad Carnival has aged. 
I was able to finally get on the bike after a long winter hiatus.  Was able to get in a 14 mile trek, which I'm paying for today,

"Cranksgiving" Ride

DC Brompton Bicycle Club's "Cranksgiving" Ride      Brompton Bicycle Club

Lambda Superior EZY quick release pedal

Ended up upgrading the Brompton's pedals to the MKS Lambda Superior Ezy Quick Release Pedals Model # (PD530) $119.95 from Harris Cyclery.  World of difference from the  stock pedals on the Brompton

http://harriscyclery.net

Illuminated Bike Ride @TheDailyRiderDC @ArtAllNightDC

Brompton Bicycle Club excursion to Philly!

You might be wondering why there aren't any photos of us in Philly.  After getting up at the crack of dawn, meeting Charmaine at Union Station, taking our bikes with us on Megabus (which is really easy to do), traveling three hours for a leisurely bike ride around Philadelphia, Reg had an accident the first hour we were there from getting stuck in trolley tracks.  We ended up taking the Amtrak train back (also easy with Brompton) to DC and ended up taking Reg into the hospital.  It was a crazy long day.  Reg was ok, though I don't think he will be joining on any crazy bike excursions.  

Brompton Bicycle Club Ride in Philadelphia Meetup page

New Carradice Saddlebag for the Brompton

I've been obsessing over this bag for days, especially after seeing one on another Brompton at BikesVienna.  Ended up purchasing it off someone from Craigslist for $60.00

DC Brompton Bicycle Club Eastern Market Ride

Brompton Bicycle Club http://www.meetup.com/Brompton-Bicycle-Club/

Kingman Island Luau Ride & Party

Brompton Love

Got to bike in with Reg for part of the trip this morning. Looking very stylish on his #Brompton

NYC Brommie Yummie Ride

So I took the bike out for the first time in public.   Went to my spin class at Biker Barre, and I folded it up and took it inside with me.   Unfortunately, after class when everyone was looking at the bike, it took me forever to figure out how to unfold it.   Yes, it’s simple but everything has to be done in the right order.   It wasn’t as gracefully as I had hoped.   PRACTICE!

Brompton Love

My new Yellow M6R and my hubby’s Red M6L

I’ve always had a fascination with folding bikes.   I couldn’t even tell you when it started, or what got me obsessed with them.   Six years ago, I decided that my next bike would be a folder.   Did TONS of research, tested as many as I could find, and ended up with a Bike Friday Pocket Llama.   Don’t get me wrong, I love my Bike Friday, and it was an awesome bike to get around Washington DC.   It felt like a very light weight normal bike.   It was never folded up.   In fact, it was a BITCH to take apart and put back together.   So today, finally, I ended up getting a Brompton.   In fact we got TWO!