You mentioned under biking. I was reminded of a great read. Fred Birchmore rode around the world on a single speed bike in the 1930’s and wrote a fantastic book about it. That story is my inspiration when things get difficult. You seem to have that spirit sir and I am also inspired by you to get out, open my eyes and have a good sweat. Thanks…
Love your films! Bromptons are proper little companions, and who cares if you have to walk up the hills!? It’s all exercise and fresh air in the lungs. Look forward to seeing more Lost Lanes 🙂
Thank you so much. TBH, the walking up the hills is something I never thought I'd enjoy, but it's lovely! When I said in the film that it give you more time to look at the view, I really meant it. ☺
Loved watching this! We got married in the church at Garrigill. The hills are long and steep around here - and you were amazing tackling these on a two speed Brompton. I have the Lost Lane’s book and feel inspired to give these a go. We also have Bromptons. Love the hills up there - big skies and ever changing light on the hills
A great place to get hitched! Pro-tip - if you're going to try riding these routes on a Brompton: the standard two speed model is definitely over geared for this. 🤣
What a lovely film. Congratulations on a great job. Funnily enough I have the central book and was planning on doing a similar film from one of the routes in the Peaks or Lincs Wolds. I’m now riding a 6 speed Brompton so more suited to the hills. I may still do it anyway though I know it will not be as professional as this! A new subscriber.
Stunning scenery. Seeing you pushing up all those hills reminded me of trying to ride my Brompton in the Peak District..like you say though, it gives you more time appreciate the views, and the downhill runs make it all worthwhile.
Not sure how I missed this on here until now! Teesdale is my old stomping ground (lived there for about 8-9 years) so magical to see some of the roads and views again. Truly a grand day out.
Loved the intro- fantastic, I have the same book. Cannot wait to get back to Yorkshire. Alas, it is a long way from Central NY where the snow is gently falling outside.
Really enjoyed this. Nicely filmed and great commentary, and i live in Rookhope, so know these roads fairly well. Yes, the hill out of Carrigill and then Crawleyside are hard work! Thanks very much.
Yep - these are some really tough climbs. If you're up for a little adventure, I also "organise" the Solstice C2C - overnight ride from Whitehaven to Whitley Bay on the weekend closest to the Summer Solstice. Meet in Whitehaven on the Saturday afternoon, dip in the Irish Sea, fish & chips, and then head off at about 7:45; last orders at the White Horse at Scales; breakfast in Whitley Bay.
Just discovered you. I’ve been eyeing up ‘Lost Lanes North’ and now it is just on my Wish List. We are based not far from you and we are always looking for new, interesting, and scenic places to ride. Truly impressed with how your Brompton handled The Waskerley Way! We have done it on steel touring bikes, and MTB (me) and gravel (hubby) bikes. The latter were a much more comfortable ride. Looking forward to your next slice of the book. 🚴♀️😊
Fantastic record of your trip Karl. I'd love to see you do a review of your Brompton as I've just bought a 6 speed one myself. I've many adventures planned for it and it would be good to hear any tips you have on your set up etc. I look forward to seeing more Lost Lanes Norths trips and other bikepacking adventures on your Brompton too 👍
Nice video :) Just came back from touring on my Brompton around France and I managed to get up a few hills (fully loaded with gear) just by slowly cycling in first gear. Of course you'd probably get to the top in the same amount of time as pushing the bike uphill haha.
Amazing trip! Thanks for sharing the video with is Karl. Growing up in Southeast Asia, the landscape is vastly different with what I’m familiar with! i reckon that lunch’s soup is the most delicious food ever! Nothing beats eating a warm food after a long ride! Cheers!
i enjoyed your video,i am surprised you do not wear a cycle helmet.Looks like you have survived 70 years,lets hope you have many more with a comfortable helmet :)
I hope you won't mind a few questions? What do you wear on trip like that, it looks cold, not summer. How do you not get cold? Would a Bromptom suit an older person as a "just get around bike" how easy are they do use please Karl? Love the video. very inspirational indeed.
I've just come across your channel. The scenery was beautiful but looked challenging on the bike. I know nothing about Brompton bikes so excuse my asking, couldn't you add more gears? I've subscribed and hope you share more of your rides. Thanks
Hello, and thank you for subscribing! Yep, the Brompton in factory configurations can be in 1x (single sprocket & freewheel), 2sp (like mine - two sprockets & a chain pusher derailleur), 3sp (Sturmey Archer hub), or 6sp (the Sturmey hub and two sprockets). The Sturmey hub is really what extends the gear range, as there's a limit on the sprocket sizes you can use min is 11T, and IIRC, the max is 18T. The down side is that the Sturmey hub adds about a kilo to the bike. I'm no weight weenie, and don't really mind riding a heavier bike, but a Brompton is carried up and down stairs, and that extra kilo makes a difference there!
That’s a lot of miles in one day, how many was it? Next time can you show us the route on a map please, then I’ll have some idea of where you are. Great film.
The title should have been man goes for a ride on an inappropriate bike. I did the Teesdale mountain TT from Barnard castle to Stanhope and back, 38 miles many years ago. In a large high class field I came 14th at 40 years old in 1999, the secret to my success was gears lol. If I do my normal touring ride of Teesside, Richmond, Reeth Tan Hill, Kirby Stephen, Brough, over to Middleton in Teesdale, past Hannah Hauxwell's old place, Summer Houses, Darlington Teeside ( 117 miles with about 7000 feet of climbing ), I take my cannondsle super six evo with a good range of climbing gears and a weight of 6.8 kg. I don't like walking.
I find people that ride something less ordinary in less than ordinary places are showing that you shouldn't be hindered by speed or comforts. Personally I prefer higher speeds and more comfortable dimensions.
Hi - that's a Carradice bag. Can't remember the model, but it's basically a canvas briefcase & comes with a laptop sleeve that I remove when out being silly.
2 spd Brompton but what size is the front chain ring? Looks like a 50T which would make getting up any significant hill pretty much impossible hence your frequent hike a bike. The Brompton is MASSIVELY over geared. I ride a 6 spd with a 39T front chain ring. This gives a pretty usable gear range not only for getting up steepish hills, but for riding on the flat. In top you spin out at about 25mph which on the flat is pretty good going on a Brompton and going down hill you're just taking a rest freewheeling. Would rather have lower gears for the hills than huge gears at the top end that are effectively redundant as you never get to use them. Nice scenery nonetheless. It looked cold.
It's FIFTY FOUR tooth! On the back is a 12 & 16T sprockets. I've learned my lesson though and have just ordered the gubbins to make it a six speed, which I'll be pairing with a 38T chainring. 😉
@@KarlOnSea OK!!! That's good news. I'm sure you'll be pleased once you get it all set up. Have you ordered a new rear wheel with BWR 3 spd hub, gear change cable and selector, twin sprockets, derailleur hanger and changer and then bar lever controls? That must have set you back a fair bit as it's quite an upgrade! I think the Brompton crank drive side spider can take a 38T front ring if you are using Brompton cranks. It will be close as the chain might make contact with the chain ring bolts. It will definitely take a 39T which is what I have, a Shimano Ultegra chain ring off a double 52/39 chainset. Actually I have just ordered spare Stronglight silver 130BCD 5 arm Dural 39T and 42T front chain rings off Amazon around £16 each which shall hopefully see me out. So I have x2 39T rings, 42, 44 and 50T to choose from. I think it will mostly be 39T but it is quite flat where I live so maybe I try the 42T. But I didn't think the 44T was low enough as with this top gear (6th) still felt massively high. Maybe good for over 30mph being ridden by Cav, Peter Sagan or Chris Hoy, but not me.
@@alexmorgan3435 It's a new rear wheel, gear cable, gear cable anchor thing, and shifter - I already had the little pivot wheel on the seat stay, and as min's a two-speed I already have the sprockets and derailleur. All in, from Brilliant Bikes, it was about £245, and a new SJS chainring will add about £20 to that. But I reckon I'll get about £75ish back when I ebay the current two speed rear wheel, so perhaps £190, net? Your point about the chain possibly fouling the chainring bolts is interesting... I think in mph @ 100rpm, and Sheldon's calculator says my current set up gives me 16.1 & 21.5mph (i.e. on a hill I'm having to do 8mph to grind it out at 50rpm). With the 39T chainring, I get a range of between 7.4 and 24.4mph (i.e. grinding it out in bottom gear is walking pace - much more believable). I think I can work with that. Your last sentence is pretty much the bottom line on Brompton gearing: They DO seem to be massively over-geared! Perhaps their target customer is the short distance pootler who always spins at 60rpm?
@@KarlOnSea You seem to have it all sorted what you want to do with your bike. i think you are pretty much spot on. I was just saying from my recent experience fitting a 39T chain ring to the Brompton spider, the chain is pretty close to the edge of the chain ring bolts attaching it to the spider. A 38T chain ring might just fit. Don't know it might be close, but 39T will. I think there is about 1-1.5 mm clearance, it's close anyway. It will transform your riding experience of your Brompton and you should be able to ride up steep hills now. Good luck with your upgrade.
Thanks for all your great videos! What is the low gear on your two speed Brompton? A 16 ? Mine is a single speed, 58x12. Also not a good climbing bike!
Thank you! Mine's the standard S2 gearing, so I think (without getting on my knees to count teeth) that it's 54 X 12 & 18? Definitely not a good climbing range, but the alternatives are to add weight with a SA hub, or lower the overall gearing with, say, a 42T chainring. But that would make it less capable on the flat.
@@RustyKnorr "Racer mentality" 🤣 It's definitely not that. With the current gearing it's comfortable bimbling along, including going into the wind, and this is with the riser bars I put on to make it a much more comfortable all-day ride. As for the extra weight of a 3sp hub, yes it makes sense when riding, but it's also a £200+ upgrade, and adds weight when carrying the folded bike. That extra kilo when I'm struggling up stairs with luggage is something I can do without.
glenn oc There is a company that makes a double one piece chainring but you have to move the chain manually with your hand or foot.All Bromptons have one ring from the factory.
KarlOnSea Another aspect other than weight is the inherent friction of the 3 speed hub. I converted my S6XL to single speed and converted my M6R as well when I felt all the drag from the 3 speed in comparison! Also I agree with your “ Racer Mentality “ . I never used those low gears anyway!
HI Karl, I stumbled upon this today and realise I met you in Bamburgh a few weeks ago! Hope all is well.... I'm debating getting my SL6 ARCC converted - any thoughts? I feel I'm not using my bike enough and the additional cost and power might motivate me more.... Let me know if you're ever in the area again and want to crash a night.... Giles
Loved watching this! We got married in the church at Garrigill. The hills are long and steep around here - and you were amazing tackling these on a two speed Brompton. I have the Lost Lane’s book and feel inspired to give these a go. We also have Bromptons. Love the hills up there - big skies and ever changing light on the hills
You mentioned under biking. I was reminded of a great read. Fred Birchmore rode around the world on a single speed bike in the 1930’s and wrote a fantastic book about it. That story is my inspiration when things get difficult. You seem to have that spirit sir and I am also inspired by you to get out, open my eyes and have a good sweat. Thanks…
Love your films! Bromptons are proper little companions, and who cares if you have to walk up the hills!? It’s all exercise and fresh air in the lungs. Look forward to seeing more Lost Lanes 🙂
Thank you so much. TBH, the walking up the hills is something I never thought I'd enjoy, but it's lovely! When I said in the film that it give you more time to look at the view, I really meant it. ☺
I push my MTB sometimes when the trails get really unrideable or very steep. It certainly works different muscle groups.
Loved watching this! We got married in the church at Garrigill. The hills are long and steep around here - and you were amazing tackling these on a two speed Brompton. I have the Lost Lane’s book and feel inspired to give these a go. We also have Bromptons. Love the hills up there - big skies and ever changing light on the hills
A great place to get hitched!
Pro-tip - if you're going to try riding these routes on a Brompton: the standard two speed model is definitely over geared for this. 🤣
Hello! Good video. From Cucuta city Colombia 🇨🇴 South America
Well done Sir! You’re an inspiration to us all. I need to get out on my brompton more.
What a lovely film. Congratulations on a great job. Funnily enough I have the central book and was planning on doing a similar film from one of the routes in the Peaks or Lincs Wolds. I’m now riding a 6 speed Brompton so more suited to the hills.
I may still do it anyway though I know it will not be as professional as this! A new subscriber.
Very inspirational, thank you! I definitely am motivated to see more on my Brompton and push it up the hills if needs be!
TBH, I'm astonished at how versatile the Brompton is proving on these rides. The only thing it doesn't cope with is proper rough ground.
Stunning scenery. Seeing you pushing up all those hills reminded me of trying to ride my Brompton in the Peak District..like you say though, it gives you more time appreciate the views, and the downhill runs make it all worthwhile.
Absolutely. When I ride these sort of routes on a road bike, the sense of the scenery is more impressionistic rather than an immersive experience.
I salute you, Sir! Glorious vistas and what a ride! Ta!
Beautiful ride! Greetings from Miami Florida. USA we ❤️ our Brompton here as well👍
Not sure how I missed this on here until now! Teesdale is my old stomping ground (lived there for about 8-9 years) so magical to see some of the roads and views again. Truly a grand day out.
Loved the intro- fantastic, I have the same book. Cannot wait to get back to Yorkshire. Alas, it is a long way from Central NY where the snow is gently falling outside.
Thank you - the higher parts of the Pennines have a sort of desolate, windswept (it's always windy!) beauty.
I love cycling that part of the world, but not once have I considered doing it aboard my Brompton. Well done!
Nenthead was where my grandfather's family was from; it's really nice to watch this video and I really should do this ride, I think!
The views from the top of the hills were breathtaking
Thank you! They definitely took a bit of work to reach, but it was worth the effort. 😃
beautiful ride my friend! thanks so much for sharing. looking forward to more of your videos. from one bikepacker to another, ride on my friend.
Thank you - glad you enjoyed the ride! Next adventure will be a two day trip around the Yorkshire Wolds.
@@KarlOnSea be safe and have fun, looking forward to the next video
Really enjoyed this. Nicely filmed and great commentary, and i live in Rookhope, so know these roads fairly well. Yes, the hill out of Carrigill and then Crawleyside are hard work! Thanks very much.
Yep - these are some really tough climbs. If you're up for a little adventure, I also "organise" the Solstice C2C - overnight ride from Whitehaven to Whitley Bay on the weekend closest to the Summer Solstice. Meet in Whitehaven on the Saturday afternoon, dip in the Irish Sea, fish & chips, and then head off at about 7:45; last orders at the White Horse at Scales; breakfast in Whitley Bay.
Really enjoyed watching, well done to you and a Brompton 👍
Thank you!
Absolutely awesome, well done !!
Thank you!
Just discovered you. I’ve been eyeing up ‘Lost Lanes North’ and now it is just on my Wish List. We are based not far from you and we are always looking for new, interesting, and scenic places to ride.
Truly impressed with how your Brompton handled The Waskerley Way! We have done it on steel touring bikes, and MTB (me) and gravel (hubby) bikes. The latter were a much more comfortable ride.
Looking forward to your next slice of the book. 🚴♀️😊
Fantastic record of your trip Karl. I'd love to see you do a review of your Brompton as I've just bought a 6 speed one myself. I've many adventures planned for it and it would be good to hear any tips you have on your set up etc. I look forward to seeing more Lost Lanes Norths trips and other bikepacking adventures on your Brompton too 👍
Nice video :) Just came back from touring on my Brompton around France and I managed to get up a few hills (fully loaded with gear) just by slowly cycling in first gear. Of course you'd probably get to the top in the same amount of time as pushing the bike uphill haha.
Wonderful video, thank you.
Beautiful England 🇬🇧 ❤
That soup looked yummy. I'm gonna get one myself right now
Amazing trip! Thanks for sharing the video with is Karl. Growing up in Southeast Asia, the landscape is vastly different with what I’m familiar with!
i reckon that lunch’s soup is the most delicious food ever! Nothing beats eating a warm food after a long ride!
Cheers!
The lunch was seriously welcome, and so much better than sandwiches - spring hasn't yet quite arrived in the Pennines.
We really need to hear more from you Karl.....
Beautiful Landscapes again. I prefer the 44 T Chainring for hill climbing...
Best regards from Germany 👍
I'm fairly sure that I do too now! 😉
Just put one on my Brompton, and mine is the 6 speed! Makes a huge difference for hilly riding.
30T is even better. I found the 44T wasn't anywhere near enough.
i enjoyed your video,i am surprised you do not wear a cycle helmet.Looks like you have survived 70 years,lets hope you have many more with a comfortable helmet :)
看了你的视频，觉得您是位热爱生活的骑行者
I hope you won't mind a few questions? What do you wear on trip like that, it looks cold, not summer. How do you not get cold? Would a Bromptom suit an older person as a "just get around bike" how easy are they do use please Karl? Love the video. very inspirational indeed.
Great video!! You got a new subscriber :)
Thank you! Next time I'll have the microphone working properly too. 😊
Is that a 2 speed Brompton? Nice ride, beautiful scene. ♥️
I've just come across your channel. The scenery was beautiful but looked challenging on the bike.
I know nothing about Brompton bikes so excuse my asking, couldn't you add more gears?
I've subscribed and hope you share more of your rides. Thanks
Hello, and thank you for subscribing!
Yep, the Brompton in factory configurations can be in 1x (single sprocket & freewheel), 2sp (like mine - two sprockets & a chain pusher derailleur), 3sp (Sturmey Archer hub), or 6sp (the Sturmey hub and two sprockets). The Sturmey hub is really what extends the gear range, as there's a limit on the sprocket sizes you can use min is 11T, and IIRC, the max is 18T. The down side is that the Sturmey hub adds about a kilo to the bike. I'm no weight weenie, and don't really mind riding a heavier bike, but a Brompton is carried up and down stairs, and that extra kilo makes a difference there!
That’s a lot of miles in one day, how many was it? Next time can you show us the route on a map please, then I’ll have some idea of where you are. Great film.
Brilliant vid. The fact that you’re ‘underbiking it’ gives the vid extra 👌👌👌 ... fab stuff. Is that a Brompton T bag on the front of your bike...
Not very good for going up steep hills nice video!
The title should have been man goes for a ride on an inappropriate bike. I did the Teesdale mountain TT from Barnard castle to Stanhope and back, 38 miles many years ago. In a large high class field I came 14th at 40 years old in 1999, the secret to my success was gears lol. If I do my normal touring ride of Teesside, Richmond, Reeth Tan Hill, Kirby Stephen, Brough, over to Middleton in Teesdale, past Hannah Hauxwell's old place, Summer Houses, Darlington Teeside ( 117 miles with about 7000 feet of climbing ), I take my cannondsle super six evo with a good range of climbing gears and a weight of 6.8 kg. I don't like walking.
Great ride and video- "underbiking" worth it to be able to get your bike on a bus
Thanks - it's the ability to use the bus that made the Brompton the obvious* choice!
*Not obvious, given the route to be cycled.
I find people that ride something less ordinary in less than ordinary places are showing that you shouldn't be hindered by speed or comforts. Personally I prefer higher speeds and more comfortable dimensions.
The large bag in front looks interesting. What is the brand and model?
Hi - that's a Carradice bag. Can't remember the model, but it's basically a canvas briefcase & comes with a laptop sleeve that I remove when out being silly.
What average speeds and daily range can you achieve?
Is it much harder to ride this bike up hills than a bike with big wheels?
2 spd Brompton but what size is the front chain ring? Looks like a 50T which would make getting up any significant hill pretty much impossible hence your frequent hike a bike. The Brompton is MASSIVELY over geared. I ride a 6 spd with a 39T front chain ring. This gives a pretty usable gear range not only for getting up steepish hills, but for riding on the flat. In top you spin out at about 25mph which on the flat is pretty good going on a Brompton and going down hill you're just taking a rest freewheeling. Would rather have lower gears for the hills than huge gears at the top end that are effectively redundant as you never get to use them. Nice scenery nonetheless. It looked cold.
It's FIFTY FOUR tooth! On the back is a 12 & 16T sprockets. I've learned my lesson though and have just ordered the gubbins to make it a six speed, which I'll be pairing with a 38T chainring. 😉
@@KarlOnSea OK!!! That's good news. I'm sure you'll be pleased once you get it all set up. Have you ordered a new rear wheel with BWR 3 spd hub, gear change cable and selector, twin sprockets, derailleur hanger and changer and then bar lever controls? That must have set you back a fair bit as it's quite an upgrade! I think the Brompton crank drive side spider can take a 38T front ring if you are using Brompton cranks. It will be close as the chain might make contact with the chain ring bolts. It will definitely take a 39T which is what I have, a Shimano Ultegra chain ring off a double 52/39 chainset. Actually I have just ordered spare Stronglight silver 130BCD 5 arm Dural 39T and 42T front chain rings off Amazon around £16 each which shall hopefully see me out. So I have x2 39T rings, 42, 44 and 50T to choose from. I think it will mostly be 39T but it is quite flat where I live so maybe I try the 42T. But I didn't think the 44T was low enough as with this top gear (6th) still felt massively high. Maybe good for over 30mph being ridden by Cav, Peter Sagan or Chris Hoy, but not me.
@@alexmorgan3435 It's a new rear wheel, gear cable, gear cable anchor thing, and shifter - I already had the little pivot wheel on the seat stay, and as min's a two-speed I already have the sprockets and derailleur. All in, from Brilliant Bikes, it was about £245, and a new SJS chainring will add about £20 to that. But I reckon I'll get about £75ish back when I ebay the current two speed rear wheel, so perhaps £190, net?
Your point about the chain possibly fouling the chainring bolts is interesting... I think in mph @ 100rpm, and Sheldon's calculator says my current set up gives me 16.1 & 21.5mph (i.e. on a hill I'm having to do 8mph to grind it out at 50rpm). With the 39T chainring, I get a range of between 7.4 and 24.4mph (i.e. grinding it out in bottom gear is walking pace - much more believable). I think I can work with that.
Your last sentence is pretty much the bottom line on Brompton gearing: They DO seem to be massively over-geared! Perhaps their target customer is the short distance pootler who always spins at 60rpm?
@@KarlOnSea You seem to have it all sorted what you want to do with your bike. i think you are pretty much spot on. I was just saying from my recent experience fitting a 39T chain ring to the Brompton spider, the chain is pretty close to the edge of the chain ring bolts attaching it to the spider. A 38T chain ring might just fit. Don't know it might be close, but 39T will. I think there is about 1-1.5 mm clearance, it's close anyway. It will transform your riding experience of your Brompton and you should be able to ride up steep hills now. Good luck with your upgrade.
To ride tight steep areas I swear by my Rohloff/Schlumpf combo. Finding a campsite sound be civilized.
Did the pot holes cause you much of a problem with the small wheels?
Thanks for all your great videos! What is the low gear on your two speed Brompton? A 16 ? Mine is a single speed, 58x12. Also not a good climbing bike!
Thank you! Mine's the standard S2 gearing, so I think (without getting on my knees to count teeth) that it's 54 X 12 & 18?
Definitely not a good climbing range, but the alternatives are to add weight with a SA hub, or lower the overall gearing with, say, a 42T chainring. But that would make it less capable on the flat.
@@RustyKnorr "Racer mentality" 🤣
It's definitely not that. With the current gearing it's comfortable bimbling along, including going into the wind, and this is with the riser bars I put on to make it a much more comfortable all-day ride. As for the extra weight of a 3sp hub, yes it makes sense when riding, but it's also a £200+ upgrade, and adds weight when carrying the folded bike. That extra kilo when I'm struggling up stairs with luggage is something I can do without.
Don't Brompton bikes have a double front or better still a triple chainring option??
glenn oc There is a company that makes a double one piece chainring but you have to move the chain manually with your hand or foot.All Bromptons have one ring from the factory.
KarlOnSea Another aspect other than weight is the inherent friction of the 3 speed hub. I converted my S6XL to single speed and converted my M6R as well when I felt all the drag from the 3 speed in comparison! Also I agree with your “ Racer Mentality “ . I never used those low gears anyway!
HI Karl, I stumbled upon this today and realise I met you in Bamburgh a few weeks ago! Hope all is well.... I'm debating getting my SL6 ARCC converted - any thoughts? I feel I'm not using my bike enough and the additional cost and power might motivate me more.... Let me know if you're ever in the area again and want to crash a night.... Giles
Did you ever go ahead with the e-conversion, Giles? Would love to hear all about it.
What action cam are you using?
What phone holder?
Walking the bike up? Just think of it as a "lower gear range," like a Land Rover.
Loved watching this! We got married in the church at Garrigill. The hills are long and steep around here - and you were amazing tackling these on a two speed Brompton. I have the Lost Lane’s book and feel inspired to give these a go. We also have Bromptons. Love the hills up there - big skies and ever changing light on the hills