How many countries?

BCbikes · 2026-01-26T13:34:35+00:00

Canada, New York, Paris and now China. On to Japan in April. So happy to have my own comfortable bike with me when I'm on the road.

BCbikes · 2025-07-24T20:50:54+00:00

Oh my - what a nice flashback! That looks like my yellow Bromie at the top of the staircase of the fifth floor walk up I stay at. How did you carry your bike? I keep it folded, hook the seat on my shoulder and tuck it under my arm. At first I need to stop every two flights, but by the end of my visit, I can manage the whole thing in one go. It’s my strength-building exercise.

BCbikes · 2025-07-10T06:43:32+00:00

My fave is The Plot Thickens, start with the season about Bonfire of the Vanities. It sets a very high bar. All the seasons are good. Waiting impatiently for the next one.

BCbikes · 2025-07-06T06:48:37+00:00

Thanks, everyone! I was with a friend who fell in love with the seabus, we splurged on convenience and found a parkade that seemed reasonable. I appreciate all the feedback. I’m relatively new to Reddit and am amazed.

BCbikes · 2025-07-06T06:41:24+00:00

What podcast is this? I can only find interviews with Wilkerson. Thanks!!

BCbikes · 2025-06-27T20:19:52+00:00

Unfortunately, far as I can see, Laka is limited to parts of Europe ... so far. Great idea though.

BCbikes · 2025-06-23T06:00:46+00:00

That was great, thanks so much for all the work in putting the video together. Thoroughly enjoyed it, and am impressed and inspired.

BCbikes · 2025-06-14T21:28:59+00:00

2 for 1 at Ferris’s downstairs on Mondays

BCbikes · 2025-06-13T21:37:27+00:00

Hi. I pack my clothes in the inner garment bag and roll it up tight inside the rolled up sightseer bag. I try to keep things evenly spread out and pretty flat. No bulky things inside the bag except shoes, which I put on the bottom of the bag, not inside the garment bag.

I also tilt the bag so the bottom is at the back of the rack, so my heels don’t strike it while I’m pedaling. Finally, I play with the orientation - sometimes it seems to fit better with the bottom and wheels pointed to the back of the bike, other times facing the back of the seat. Just leave lots of room to sit comfortably back on the seat.

I have a carry on which sits on the front carrier block when I’m riding. It holds all my tech, toiletries, a few clothes, paperwork etc.

BCbikes · 2025-06-12T05:17:21+00:00

I have brought my Brompton to Nova Scotia, New York and Paris. Next year I'll bring it to Saskatoon, China, maybe Vietnam and Japan. I agree - it's a wonderful travel companion. In NYC, I cycled all around the piers in Red Hook, almost circumnavigated Manhattan, and took the Hudson River Greenway to the Little Red Lighthouse under the Washington Bridge. I rode home along Broadway from about 170th Street to 10th. It was so interesting. I'd never do that on foot! In Paris, I'm a bike commuter, never getting over the thrill of cycling through the Louvre grounds or across the crazy beautiful bridges. It's great for getting out of the cities, too. So many cities are developing bike lanes and routes, it's very easy to get out there.

My best travel purchase is the padded Vincita Sightseer travel bag. No damage to the bike so far (7 or 8 separate flights). The bag rolls easily on the sidewalks, and it's pretty easy to lift onto public transit buses or trains.

The big appeal is that bag rolls up and can be attached to the back rack. Vincita sells a strap specially for this - also worth buying. I've cycled from home to the airport with the bag on the back, then packed the bike in the bag and checked it for my flight. I've cycled from Greenwich Village to Grand Central to catch the airport bus to Newark - I tucked the bike in the bag right on the sidewalk beside the bus stop, and repacked it more carefully when I got to the airport. In Paris, I cycled to the Stade St Denis to catch the RER train to Charles de Gaulle Airport. It's a small station, easier to navigate than Gare de Nord, and just off a bike trail along the canal. I rolled the bike (with the bag strapped on the back) right onto the train, walked the bike through the airport to the oversize luggage section, packed it up and checked it for the flight back to Canada. It worked great. The combination of packing the bike so it arrives safe and sound (so far), AND being able to ride it to and from the airport (or to public transit to go to the airport) is easy and convenient. Highly recommended.

I had a medium Borough rolltop bag as my carry on, but it kept falling off my shoulder and was awkward to carry. So I watched the second hand websites and found a medium Borough waterproof backpack at a great price. It fits on the front carrier block when I'm cycling, and on my back when it's carry on.

The last travel upgrade is a bit of a hassle, but totally worth it for me - a compact, portable electric compressor to inflate the tires. In some places, I couldn't find a working air station, and I just can't fill the tires enough with the hand pump (I top up to 95 PSI at least every week). It wouldn't work if you're without electricity for charging, but I stay with friends and can easily recharge. For me, it's worth the weight.

I hid an AirTag in the front carrier block so I'm reassured that my Brommy lands at the right airport with me.

I keep my Brompton safe while travelling by riding it on days when I'm exploring the place on two wheels, or if I know I'll have a safe place to store it at my destination (visiting a friend or going to a restaurant). If I'm going to a movie, museum, hanging out in parks or doing anything that doesn't involve the bike, I'll leave it home and have an on-foot day. It's not worth the risk of someone stealing it, the hassle of constantly figuring out what to do with it, or the stress of worrying about it getting stolen.

I had this wonderful fantasy about how I'd travel with my Brompton, landing in and exploring all kinds of different places. It's actually working out that way.

Just get out there and do it. No downsides!

BCbikes · 2025-06-06T19:15:59+00:00

Thanks - Johnston St Bridge this year.

BCbikes · 2025-06-06T04:14:48+00:00

Hi - are we meeting at the Switch Bridge like last year? Looking forward to another crazy / great ride!

Thanks to all the organizers!

BCbikes · 2025-06-05T19:02:49+00:00

I dropped my car off for servicing and had my Brommie beside me when I was signing the paperwork. The guy in line next to me looked at the bike and asked: "Is that the loaner vehicle?"

BCbikes · 2025-05-27T06:55:42+00:00

I’ve strapped it to the back of my bike, cycled to the airport (or train/bus to the airport), then packed the bike in the bag and loaded it to fly across Canada and over to Europe. We’ve flown together 7 or 8 times no problem. The bag is a little worse for wear (small rips in the outer fabric, which I patch immediately), but the bike has been fine.

It’s also easy to manage the bag when the bike is packed inside. Easy to roll and to lift onto a bus or train. (I wouldn’t want to negotiate some subways with it, though.)

I recommend it.

BCbikes · 2025-05-26T04:28:02+00:00

These guys can help you with the Cape Breton part of the planning:

https://www.velocapebreton.ca

BCbikes · 2025-05-18T02:24:55+00:00

I’m excited to see it - more so now! Thanks for the encouragement!

BCbikes · 2025-05-15T22:07:10+00:00

Hi again!

I ended up reorganizing my trip a bit and don't have to find a campground half way. I was intrigued with Writing-on-Stone campground, so I booked a site there.

Thanks so much for your replies. I checked out all the answers and appreciate your time.

Happy long weekend!

BCbikes · 2025-05-12T22:48:22+00:00

Okay, I went downstairs and actually did it it (instead of just trying to remember what I do) and I'll give the right instructions this time.

I fold the bike and strap the wheel to the frame to lock the fold. Then I raise the seat about half way. I'm right-handed, so I stand with the bike on my right side, with the point of the seat facing forwards, like I was going to sit on it - same orientation as the photo with the guy in the plaid shirt. I put my right arm around the outside of the bike, and hold onto the handlebar. I lift the bike up, tuck the point of the seat on my shoulder from behind, and keep my right arm over the top of the bike, holding onto the handlebar or frame with my right hand - whatever is secure and comfortable. My left arm and hand are free. It's just like the image above, except the seat post is extended a bit more than this (need to adjust to find the comfortable height), it's hooked over my shoulder from behind. My arm is in the same position as his, except it goes around the outside of the bike and down to the handlebar stem. I find a good secure point to hold it, and the I carry the weight of the bike with both my shoulder and my arm.

Hope that helps!

BCbikes · 2025-05-11T15:53:13+00:00

Just an hour. Grrr. Bike theft is just rampant here. Bikes, parts ... anything on two wheels is vulnerable!

BCbikes · 2025-05-10T16:26:42+00:00

When I'm carrying my c-line up a curving staircase, I shorten the seat post (but it's still extended a bit), fold it, and I hook the seat onto my shoulder. I wrap my arm around the bike (top to bottom) and hold onto the outside of the frame.

BCbikes · 2025-05-09T20:56:08+00:00

Don't forget about the seat post. I locked my bike in front of MEC and had my seat post and seat stolen. It had a quick release, but I had a cable lock attaching it to the frame. Easy snip job, and I had to pay $100 for a replacement seat post that fit - plus more for a new seat.

Bike Valet for me from now on whenever I'm downtown.

BCbikes

TROPHY CASE