Cape Town Brompton Rider

I own two Brompton folding bicycles (an old M3L and a newer M6L - they are Doris and Darth). I live in Cape Town South Africa. I travel (far too much!) and my Brompton, Doris, often goes with me. For more see my Main Tumblr Blog

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Thank you so much for all of the wonderful messages and calls! I had a stunning day. It started with an online family celebration, then our online service from Coronation Ave Methodist Church. After which I saddled up Doris the folding bicycle and went to Postwijck PKN Church’s service, followed by tea and cake with friends! In the evening I had champagne and scones (yes!) with some wonderful South African friends. I am grateful for another year of life, for love, adventure, and fun! God’s grace abounds, and I am grateful.

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I haven’t been posting too much here in recent months since Tumblr is no longer a direct link to Instagram - my Instagram posts are @digitaldion

But, here is a photo of my Brompton and other luggage arriving at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam yesterday. I now have both my yellow and black Bromptons in the Netherlands with me!

While I was in Cape Town this Christmas I did a few 40km rides on this Brompton, training with my son who will do his first Cape Town cycle race (Argus) in March this year. It was awesome to spend that time with him!

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I haven’t been posting too much here in recent months since Tumblr is no longer a direct link to Instagram - my Instagram posts are @digitaldion

But, here is a photo of my Brompton and other luggage arriving at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam yesterday. I now have both my yellow and black Bromptons in the Netherlands with me!

While I was in Cape Town this Christmas I did a few 40km rides on this Brompton, training with my son who will do his first Cape Town cycle race (Argus) in March this year. It was awesome to spend that time with him!

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Liam and I disassembled and packed up my Giant Quick-E ebike. I hope it all works out smoothly! I found a company that will ship it with the battery (left with only 30% charge, and mounted in the bike). And a fellow South African who is living near where I will be in the Netherlands has kindly agreed for me to ship it to his home! That may mean that I will have Igor the ebike with me in the Netherlands! I am very grateful! I hope that it will all work out!

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It was a stunning cycle to work and back! Today was a summer day in the middle of winter - it was 26 degrees C in Stellenbosch today. (at Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChmhdtYqNdH/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I am off to Heidelberg to speak at a conference at the University of Heidelberg. I am packed for the 3 days! The wonders of multimodal transport! I will unfold my @bromptonbicycle then cycle to Bamberg station, fold the bike and catch a few trains to Heidelberg Hbf. On that side I will unfold and cycle the few kilometers to the guest house, drop my luggage, and cycle to the conference! Pure joy! The conference theme is, ‘The Limits of Neighborly love’. I will be reflecting on the things that Churches should not do - such as participate in religious nationalism, political populism, and ‘conditioned’ care (which is often fueled by xenophobia and notions such as the ‘deserving poor’). (at Bamberg, Bayern, Germany - an Unesco World Heritage Site) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkNNwRjt0yO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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A few photographs from my trip to Nürenburg yesterday, and my lovely walk through Bamberg today. I am still struggling to shake the flu! So no running. But, a few kilometers of walking did me the world of good! (at St. Sebald - Sebalduskirche Nürnberg) https://www.instagram.com/p/CknySeoNXP9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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In a few hours I will catch a train from beautiful Bamberg to beautiful Berlin! I am so grateful for the time I have spent as a ‘Gästprofessor’ here at the beautiful University of Bamberg.

I have been working on a joint research project with my colleague and friend Prof Thomas Wabel. We have focused on diverse religious responses to Covid-19 mitigation measures among South African and German Christian groupings. We are working towards a shared publication - so watch this space! I also taught some classes, participated in doctoral seminars, delivered a public lecture, attended lectures, spoke at a conference, visited colleagues in the academy and in Churches, attended services of worship, and of course read a few things, wrote a bit, and walked and cycled! It has been an exceptionally fruitful and formative time! In Berlin I will also be visiting one guest professorship.

I will share some details on that project in the next couple of days. Thank you for the hospitality, care, stimulating conversation and learning in Bamberg! What a gift. I am very grateful.

So, Doris the Brompton Bicycle is packed, my clothes are also packed, and I am ready to move on to Berlin. Today happens to be the anniversary of the falling of the Berlin Wall - 9 November 1989. New beginnings! New opportunities! (at Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cku0TN2tNHg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Beautiful old Doris the @bromptonbicycle - she is 22 years old, has travelled all over the world with me, and is still as solid and beautiful as the day she was made! Doris is a great companion in Berlin! #bromptonbicycle #bromptonm3l (at East Side Gallery) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClowrgpNNKg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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It is a cold and wet day in Berlin! But it sure is beautiful! I am writing, like a dog who is scratching flees! Ha ha! The view is not half bad looking at the boats passing along the spree and the wet and cold tourists crossing the bridge from Museum Island! #berlin #humboldtuniversität (at Humboldt Universitaet Theologische Fakultaet) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnRmp57NRSI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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It was an awesome day in the office 🙌😂 it rained like an apocalyptic thriller for the first 50km. After that it was beautiful weather for the remaining 60km! My @bromptonbicycle was rock solid! I couldn’t keep up with it! Ha ha! I met so many great friends along the way! It was a blast! (at Cape Town Cycle Tour) https://www.instagram.com/p/CbDFbvusZNQ/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Here we go! It is a little wet out, but it is going to be a lovely day of cycling! @giantsky22 say hi when you pass me! (at Cape Town Cycle Tour) https://www.instagram.com/p/CbCJk51qjc3/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Here we go again! This Sunday I will be riding the #CTCycleTour on #Darth the #Brompton folding bicycle. A gentleman dresses appropriately for an important occasion! 109km, 16” wheels, 1 folding bike, 1 tie = a super fun day! @ctcycletour (at Chapmans Peak) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca32g6AsG6W/?utm_medium=tumblr

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My @bromptonbicycle is clean and ready for the 110km @ctcycletour around the Cape Town coast tomorrow! I am wearing my @rhodesuniversity alumni tie. It is going to be an awesome day of riding! Say hi if you see me along the route! Here is a video from a few years ago https://youtu.be/1Z_eq78qdkU #Bromptonbicycle #ctcycletour @will_butler_adams (at Cape Town Cycle Tour) https://www.instagram.com/p/CbATYHZMx8J/?utm_medium=tumblr

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It was such a stunning cycle to work from Somerset West to Stellenbosch this morning. I left early to avoid the heat, but it was still rather hot! I felt like I had been on holiday by the time I reached the office! #cyclingcommute #giantbicycles #giantbikes #giantquicke (at Longridge Wine Estate) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZJX6iEswtu/?utm_medium=tumblr

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#CTCycletour2021 #CTCycleTour #CapeArgus done and dusted (COVID edition). It es actually 110km according to my Apple Watch (I forgot to restart Strava near Wellington). Phew the wind was a little hectic! But the views and ride were amazing! @ctcycletour https://www.instagram.com/p/CMIIHQGp6Gn/?igshid=18e2qkgh057an

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#CTCycletour2021 COVID Edition… I am about 60km from home. Almost in Wellington. I am planning to do about 100km or so for a solo @ctcycletour (at Spice Route Wines) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMH0jgvJRFu/?igshid=v1d4vxbg7mzx