I caught a documentary on BBC4 last night called the Ride of my life: The story of the bicycle. It was by the writer and cycling enthusiast, Rob Penn based on his book ‘It’s all about the bike’ published this month. I missed the beginning but I was gripped by what I saw I re-watched it online via the BBC iPlayer website which will keep the programme for the next 6 days.
The story is about how Penn commissioned his bike from the various bike component manufacturers across the world. It wasn’t about getting the best parts but the parts he wanted for his dream bike. Great history of the bike running alongside Penn’s progress around the globe. I would have liked to have heard something about the Sturmey Archer hub and I guess other bits of bike history have been missed but I learned a lot of little things. The bicycle is an amazing invention that for a brief time we put aside and now we are beginning to appreciate just how fantastic this machine is.
My favourite part of the documentary was Penn’s visit to Portland, Oregon a city that has made huge investments in cycling infrastructure.
After watching the section on the Brooks saddle factory I am seriously thinking of getting one for the Brompton for my third anniversary next February.
For those who are interested the doc is still on line but the BBC usually remove programmes after a week. So it will be gone by August 3rd.
The story is about how Penn commissioned his bike from the various bike component manufacturers across the world. It wasn’t about getting the best parts but the parts he wanted for his dream bike. Great history of the bike running alongside Penn’s progress around the globe. I would have liked to have heard something about the Sturmey Archer hub and I guess other bits of bike history have been missed but I learned a lot of little things. The bicycle is an amazing invention that for a brief time we put aside and now we are beginning to appreciate just how fantastic this machine is.
My favourite part of the documentary was Penn’s visit to Portland, Oregon a city that has made huge investments in cycling infrastructure.
After watching the section on the Brooks saddle factory I am seriously thinking of getting one for the Brompton for my third anniversary next February.
For those who are interested the doc is still on line but the BBC usually remove programmes after a week. So it will be gone by August 3rd.
Comments
http://www.sturmey-archerheritage.com/index.php?page=history
Recent info can be found here:
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~hadland/gear.html
You can usually download and keep an MPEG version of iPlayer; Have a look here:
http://po-ru.com/projects/iplayer-downloader/
For a Mac version:
http://snapshotmedia.co.uk/portfolio/iplayer-downloader
Linux and Windows are available too.
I later got the Brompton, it was great but just started to hurt towards the end of a 22 mile rural cycle.
I now have the Brooks B17, and whilst your bum is numb at the start, you just get used to it. There are odd moments where it is supremely comfortable, and for most part it is good, but the first few seconds after you get on can be a bit odd. It's rock hard leather, but built to last.
You need a wee bit of Proofide anyway to keep it healthy.
I included a Brooks saddle in my new Brompton set-up and it's proved very comfortable so far. You have to watch that it is not left in the rain for any real length of time- cover it with a plastic bag. Also Brooks saddles are a great attraction to thieves in urban areas. Best not left unsecured to the rest if your bike is left unattended for any length of time. Pitlock skewers or linking a locked chain though the saddle's rails back to the frame is advisable.
Leslie, I also wanted to get out and ride after watching the programme.