It seemed like it would be forever until we receive our Bromptons, but they are finally here.
I can't begin to say how great it is to have these iconic bikes sharing our home.
Today's video explains how a pair of House Red Bromptons wormed their way into our home.
It all began... well, no. That would spoil the video.
We haven't really begun to enjoy them. Well, that's not quite true.
Yesterday I took mine out on its first little trip in the real world, a modest jaunt down the street to Starbucks at Mel Lastman Square to share a coffee with my friend Glenn. I realized that I hadn't seen a friend since last fall when I dropped in on Ed. The full sense of the deprivation sinks in when you meet that first friend in many, many months...
Not quite unexpectedly, my Brompton became an instant star of the encounter. Glenn needed to see it unfold, and fold, no surprise there. But the only passer-by stopped to marvel and ask twenty questions about my mechanical jewel. I guess that's something I'll have to get used to. Imagine when someone spots my Brompton riding pillion on my Vespa, because that day is near.
If you think that yesterday was my first time in my Brompton's saddle, think again, and watch the video, it may just amuse you.
If you are reading this and you are intrigued, and a little unsatisfied and frustrated that I am not really providing nearly enough detail, having perhaps piqued your curiosity... watch the video and be prepared to take notes. Actually, put the pencil down, the details are in the show notes, or... well, that's not fair because the video says that there are show notes here, as well.
So here goes:
We bought our beautiful Bromptons at Curbside Cycle at 412 Bloor Street West in Toronto. They had to be special-ordered from the factory in London, because there is no such thing as Brompton inventory. Just as well, because there are many, many different configurations. You can occasionally find one for sale, second hand, but be prepared to pay double the retail price, no kidding!
The life-changing eleven best YouTube channels for everything you might want to know about Bromptons but that you didn't learn just by watching my video, are, in no particular order [drum roll]...
- Brian's i bike unfolded
- Gianni's Brompton traveler
- Christine's Chris by bike
- Victor's Everyday cycling
- Hannah's Brilliant bikes
- Pam & Gilbert's 2bikes4adventure
- Peter's Petrelli on wheels
- Susanna's Susanna Thorton
- Heather and Pier's Bromptoning and their blog Bromptoning.com
- Michelle's One car less (was called Ride on cycling)
- and the Brompton commuter channel Cycle every day
Be prepared to be amazed, and maybe even tempted!. If you want it all in a brilliant nutshell, then click here to watch Victor's brilliant summary "What makes it so special".
The special music for this episode is Jazz in Paris by Media Right Productions, and my favourite outtro track, Minor Blues for Booker by E's Jammy Jams, both courtesy of the YouTube audio library.
Be prepared, there will be more Brompton content, and Vespa content, and even Vespa-meets-Brompton and Brompton-meets-Vespa content. That is not a joke. You'll see.