There can't be many cycle races in the world that begin with a Le Mans style sprint to the bikes. Or many that require entrants to dress as if they're cycling to work, complete with jacket and tie. And there are even less still that require competitors to unfold their bike and assemble it properly before they can start pedalling around the race course.
But then, there are not many races like the Brompton World Championships. Now in its fifth year, the race for those classic British-made folding bikes was held earlier this month at the Blenheim Palace cycling festival.
Almost 750 Brompton fans had come from as far away as Spain and America to take part. The driving rain and strong winds were not enough to keep them - or myself -away. "Watch out," Brompton's managing director William Butler-Adams warned me before the start. "It can get quite heated out there."
On the start line, I eyed up the competition. My fellow racers included The Joker, some girls who, with their decorative helmet creations, looked as if they were going to a horse race and Evil Knievel, who would wheelie much of the race! Then the start gun fired and and the carnage began as we sprinted to our bikes and tried to assemble them under intense pressure. I was the first out of my starting group but it didn't take long for me to get caught by someone who looked as if they could match Sir Chris Hoy's cadence.
The race followed two laps of a 6.5km course and it was full-on. Some riders had seriously pimped up their bikes, adding spds and stripping excess weight. By the time I crossed the finish line 25 minutes later my lungs were screaming. "The race started as a way to demonstrate that the Brompton is quite a feisty vehicle and not some funny wheeled bike," Butler-Adams explained later. It has developed into a hilarious gathering and it's great fun for anyone who already has, or can beg steal or borrow a Brompton. Just make sure you know how to unfold and re-assemble yours before you hurl yourself into this fast paced race!
For the 2010 race results click here. To watch the 2010 race video and info on the 2011 race see our news story here.
Words by Tarquin Cooper
Posted on Thursday, 14 July 2011
