I’ve ridden a Brompton bicycle only twice in my life. The first time when I visited the Brompton factory in London in 2014 – more details here – and the second time last year on a visit to Brussels on the bicycle above – more details here. I’ve never done anything like this however. I defy you to find anyone in this video who is not smiling:

From the press release:

Back for its 13th year, on Saturday, July 28th, thousands lined The Mall and area around Buckingham Palace to watch the Brompton World Championship Final. Around 500 Brompton riders took to the streets for this uniquely British summer event, as part of the Prudential RideLondon festival. As always, a strict city-chic dress-code applied, despite the warm weather, with no room for lycra or sportswear on this very British occasion.

With a Le Mans-style mass start, culminating in a mad dash to unfold their bikes, the race route consisted of 8 laps of a 1.6km course and passed some of London’s most famous landmarks including The Mall, St James Park, Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade.

The main race was won by 20-year old Cam Gutteridge, a university student who only got his first Brompton a year ago, inspired by the action from last year’s race. Hot on his heels was the women’s winner, former national road racing champion and now TV presenter Emma Pooley.

Will Butler-Adams OBE, Bromptons CEO enthused about the race: “The weather here today has been perfect, the atmosphere has been mental and we have a new winner! Cam Gutteridge, inspired by last year, became so hooked by the speed of the Brommie, that he went and bought himself his own! Less than 25 he absolutely flew around this course during that race and came home with a glorious prize, being crowned Brompton World Champion 2018”

More details on the Brompton website.