As usual, I am providing a brief summary of my cycling year covering the last twelve months. This is a purely personal view of the last year.
The total distance I covered on my various bikes during 2002 was a rather disappointing 5000Km. I don't really have any excuse for not having done more distance.
The 'only' new (cycling) acquisition during 2002 was the Brompton T6, nicknamed Henry (because it is green). Actually some might argue this was two new acquisitions, as following a paint problem Brompton replaced the frame!
My top 6 bikes of the year by distance were:
1. Bike Friday New World Tourist (The Newt): 1229Km
2. Brompton T6 (Henry): 1047Km
3. Birdy Red: 819Km
4. SP Brompton: 743Km
5. Brompton T5 (The Black Five): 270Km
6. Airnimal: 251Km
The Bike Friday covered the most distance, though most of this was done in the first 7 months of the year. The new T6 was not all that far behind, especially bearing in mind the fact that I did not get it until part of the way through the year. If we look at the distance by make, the Bromptons easily came out highest (assuming we bracket the SP with the more standard Bromptons!). I would have liked to cover more distance on the Airnimal in particular - I'm not sure why I didn't, as it is great fun to ride. Perhaps this is another indicator that I didn't do as much distance riding purely for pleasure this year as I have often done in the past.
This must be the first year that no Moulton figures in the top 6 bikes for distance. In fact the New Series, AM7 and APB never ventured out of the house, and the Stowaway only made a rare outing to attend the Jubilee parade in London. The (AM) Jubilee L was the only Moulton to get serious use in the year, and even that was used only for the Bradford on Avon Weekend and one other ride.
My three photographic workshop holidays were all done with Bromptons - 2 on the T6 and one on the SP. Although they are not quite as good for the longer rides, the convenience both in terms of getting them on trains and in car boots, and carrying photographic luggage in a backpack stored on the front carrier, have made them my preferred choice for such outings. A Brompton was also the obvious choice for our rail trip to France, the T6 just getting chosen ahead of the SP on this occasion. The Birdy's principal outings were CycleFest, for which it was chosen over the Newt at the last minute on the grounds of easier carriage by train, and a weekend expedition into Wales..
Picking the most enjoyable ride of the year is quite difficult this year - there were several very enjoyable rides, but no single one which stood out above the others. All of our Midlands Folder Group rides (Mon & Brec, Llandudno and France) were enjoyable, the one to France perhaps being the most outstanding, partly because of the location, and there were some good rides at CycleFest. I think I shall have to award the title of most enjoyable single ride to the longest one of the year, which was in local South Staffordshire lanes, and was, embarrassingly, done on a non-folding large wheeled bike! Worst ride of the year is a close run thing between the ride back from the eye specialist in January after she had scratched both eyes so that they were very painful, and I could barely see where I was going, and the Jubilee Parade in London, where the crowds were so enormous that it took hours just to get to the start point.
Of the cycling related events of the year, CycleFest and the the new Cycle 2002 show were particularly memorable. One of the non-cycling highlights was the opportunity to meet photographer Michael Reichmann (of Luminous Landscape) when he was in London.
The low point of the year was definitely the sad death of John Pinkerton in February - he will be, and already is, sorely missed, both as a character on the cycling scene and as a friend.
There have been a number of new folders announced during the year, including the Frog and the Airframe. However, in practical terms, I'm still compelled to give my folder of the year award to Brompton- their existing models are hard to beat in terms of a compact folder for commuting, with very practical luggage carrying, and the ability to cover much greater distances if and when the need arises, and of course the 6-speed models which appeared during 2002 just serve to strengthen the range. Those wanting a higher performance version of the Brompton, and willing and able to afford one, can opt for the SP. Of course, it remains a case of horses for courses, and for those to whom portability is not so important, machines like the Birdy, Bike Friday and Airnimal may well be considered more deserving. Dahon have some rather interesting improvements on their existing range to look forward to in 2003, so we will have to see where the award will go this year.
And what is there to look forward to in 2003? First of all I hope to get over the attack of flu and other things which have made me very miserable for the last few weeks. I am still planning what photographic holidays to take during the year, and a few possible venues for Midland Folder Group rides are being mentioned. Origami Rides will be continuing to be held on the second Saturday of every month, and Trevor Batchelor has some new routes and destinations in mind. The Mud Dock meetings in Bristol on the first Saturday of each month, and the Swindon Smallwheels rides on the third Saturday of each month should also be regular events for 2003. Our special folder meeting at Avon Valley Cyclery last year was a great success, and may well be repeated, in a more ambitious form, in 2003 - watch these pages for more information later in the year.
I'm not planning any new cycle acquisitions in 2003 (but that doesn't mean I won't be tempted) - indeed, with the problems of train travel I have to admit that if health and finances permit, I might even rejoin the ranks of those who are motorised!
In terms of new folders during 2003, I'm not expecting anything earth shattering - I suspect it will be rather like 2002: some new models, but nothing that radically changes the established order of things. Dahon have already announced their 2003 range, as reported in our web pages in recent months, and it includes many improvements and new models, although these are more in the form of incremental rather than radical change. Their model range now includes products which will appeal more to the enthusiasts, as well as the more basic models, and this should increase their popularity with our readers, as well as being a warning to the more specialist, up-market folder manufacturers that they need to stay on their toes.
Enjoy your folding and cycling during 2003.
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Last updated: 1 January 2003
URL: http://www.foldsoc.co.uk/year2002.html