Updates in 2016 (as of June)

Good day to all. It has been a long break for me from here ever since the last entry. The last 2 years was a hectic time at work, restructuring and refocusing on the direction, vision and mission.
Nonetheless, there was still time set aside for some exploration on the wonderful Brompton. Here are the updates from 2016 itself. Mid-2014 to end-2015 will have to be included in the next entry.

Acquired the 4th Brompton in one of my favourite colours, Racing Green.

Final look of the 4th Brompton after swapping out the H stem for a M stem and adding a rear rack.

The last year also saw my missus and I shifting to a new location.

One of the many gorgeous sights the new area I shifted to has to offer.

Took me some time remodelled the storage and display area for the Bromptons. This is after selling a Montague and an Alex Moulton.

Riding For Dinner

Rode out for some takeaway dinner at a newly discovered eatery.

Getting dark real soon.

Eatery was quite empty when I reached. The food was good. Probably the crowd has not hit yet.

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More Mods.

Picked up a Kamoya Jenny Suspension Block with extra hard red elastomer and a pair of Kamoya Hinge Clamps from the local distributor.

Had always wanted the Jenny to replace the stock Brompton firm suspension block for a firmer ride to reduce the bouncing of the B.

How Jenny looks after installation.

That night, brought the Bs out for an evening ride and stopped by a local seller of satay, pieces of meat skewered onto sticks and barbecued over fire.

The ride with the Jenny installed was so much better than when it was on the stock firm suspension block. Definitely worth the upgrade.

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Missus First Ride of 2014……and After 6 Weeks

Missus had not been well 3 weeks prior to our trip to South Korea for 3 weeks. So in all, she had not been cycling for 6 weeks. So time to get some distance on her Dr Seuss.

Cycled to another town for breakfast, a good 8.5km away. Had some Burger King and off we went on our return home.

Some posing before heading off.

Along the way home, we detoured to visit a hot spring which was near our home. A place which we have never visited although Missus and I have been living in this area for more than a decade and a half.

Found a toad who was admiring Citrus.

Information about this hot spring.

Going to revisit this gorgeous place some time soon.

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First Night Ride of 2014

2014’s first ride happens to be a night ride. Dropped off Missus at a friend’s house for a gathering and headed off for a ride to a nearby jetty.

Very few vehicles that night and had a great time on the road, although the conditions of the road leave much to be desired.

Finally reached the jetty after a slow ride. Enjoying the cool sea breeze before heading back to pick the Missus up.

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Last Ride for 2013.

Went on a morning ride to mark the last ride for 2013.

More rides come 2014.

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Second Attempt at Riding to Neighbouring Town

Months ago, Missus and myself had wanted to ride to a neighbouring town but we stopped midway.

On Sunday, I decided to attempt this trip again, this time completing the whole journey.

Midway along the journey. Possibly the last untouched natural setting around.

The reward upon reaching the neighbouring town? Sea  breeze on a cool, humid and hazy morning.

Before returning home, I took a detour to explore some parts of the town that will be developed into housing in the near future. A metro station and tracks were already built in preparation. And it remains unused till this area is developed.

Along the way home, dropped by a local eatery to grab breakfast for the Missus, who was sick and resting at home,  and had a cup of longan drink to replenish some sugar.

It was really a good feeling to be riding again, especially over long distances. One very important lesson I learnt from this ride was how to cycle correctly so that I can cycle more effectively and efficiently, especially when I am at gears 5 and 6. Something which I have always done incorrectly.

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NOV-ed

Installed some aftermarket parts brought in by the local distributor. These are parts made by a company called NOV, which hails from South Korea. Some of the parts are titanium, thus lowering the overall weight of the Brompton a little.
Of course there are more stuff on the Brompton to change to titanium parts but for now I will leave it as it is.

The NOV parts that are installed.

At the same time, I have placed the GripRings back onto the handle. Abandoning the orange-black only project.

Gotten a set of the new version of the Brompton toolkit too.

Can’t wait to bring it out for a ride again.

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Citrus’ Undergoing Facelift

I have had the intention of modding another Brompton to give it a classic look. But I  decided against it. So, Citrus will move from a high profile look to a classic look. It will be a ‘work in progress’ kind of mission.

A fellow Brompton owner was doing a mass order on these Nisnas wooden fenders. Got my hands on 2 sets of such fenders to be installed onto our Bromptons.

The local distributor had gone for a week-long working trip cum vacation, so the shop was closed. When it opened, I headed over to make some changes to Citrus. Changes include installing of 2013  brake levers, changing of brake pads, swapping of 54T to stock 44T (54T just doesn’t suit my way of riding and the hilly rides I encounter) and removing all grip rings in favour of black foam.

In addition, I finally found a Carradice Barley that can hold everything i put in my Ortliebs. Still keeping te Ortliebs for any tour riding. For now, local rides, the Barley will do just fine without any front bags.

During the last month or so, I was also looking to get KleenKanteen bottles to replace my 1.5 years old Kathmandu thermo bottle I have been using for my coffee daily. KleenKanteens are expensive here. Costs $59 for a 20oz insulated bottle. And I need 3 of them. So off I went into Amazon and placed an order for the bottles I needed. What I paid for got me 5 KleenKanteen Bottles (1 12 oz, 1 16 oz, 1 20 oz insulated bottles and 2 27 oz stainless steel). With the same amount of money,  I could only get the insulated ones if I had bougbt locally.

One of the 27 oz came in today and it is the one I intended to use with Citrus. Purposely chose an orange to match Citurs. Now awaiting for its bamboo cap.

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