Brompton cycle touring - you're never too old!
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2023
- In August, Dad and I thought we'd do a cycling holiday, and test out using Bromptons combined with local buses.
Dad took up cycling in his 60s, doing local trips by bicycle instead of by car, hopping on the bike pretty much every day to nip the shops, or see friends. Now he's 87, and he's still out every day doing local errands by bike - riding 20 mins or so - as well as heading out on longer loops around his patch in Stockport, just for the pleasure of looking around, and being out in the open air. He regularly does 10- to 15-mile rides, taking it at a nice easy pace, although one of his favourite routes - up to Lyme Hall on the edge of the Pennines - involves a pretty hefty climb, so not easy at all! Luckily, when the cafe up there is open, you can get a scone and tea at the top, which obviously helps everything.
Anyway, this summer Dad and I decided to do a cycle tour in the Welsh borders, in Herefordshire. The idea was to go back to some of the places that Dad had enjoyed exploring with my Mum, who died many years ago now. Dad still has hundreds of booklets from all the places they visited, nicely stored in folders. So Dad's job was to pick out some places to see again, and to bring the booklets. And mine was the logistics. Dad normally rides a hybrid, but we thought we'd try using Bromptons in combination with local buses, to make the cycling manageable and enjoyable. It took a bit of work to get on top of where and when the various buses went, but it was so worth it! We had a fantastic time.
Hope you enjoy our film!
MUSIC
Chasing Shadows / Tia Moors feat. Sarah Pumphrey
Life Is An Open Door / Katharine Appleton feat. Maja Norming
On A Roll / John T Graham feat. Lennart Lindeberg
87 and riding smoothly! Impressive effort sir. At 65, I’m a mere boy in comparison, but still get out on my bike everyday. You are as inspiring as your daughter. Respect
This brings tears. It's clear your dad is a big part of who you are. Wonderful video!
I too was much moved by seeing Susanna with her Daddy...
All the best to both of you..
.... (and thanks for taking us along... again).
So excited to watch this and im so sure you and dad were excited for the trip. Thank you for this. Family is ✊️👏👍🏼✊️❤️❤️
What a great father daughter relationship. Your dad must be so proud of you. He could pass for being in his sixties.
I lost my dad 10 years ago and this film made me both sad and happy. It looks like you both had a great trip.Cherish every moment. ❤
Aw sorry to hear that you lost your Dad 10 years ago. Thank you for the lovely comment, yes let's cherish life, and hold on to all the good memories xxx
@@susannathornton thank you x
You had me sobbing watching the end of this.. I am sure it will touch the hearts of many that shared a passion with a parent that is no longer with us.. thank you for sharing this precious moment.. it was wonderful 🏆
aw thank you David what a lovely thing to write, it is very nice thing you said
Over the years you have created wonderful videos to share with us all. I must tell you THIS one brought the warmth to my heart and a smile to my face. Watching you and your dad traveling together is such a gift. I thank you from America. You touch the world Susanna. Cheers to you and your dad.
Aw Erick thank you for the lovely comment, glad you enjoyed our film! Cheers to you too
Some sunshine you are and so well read too😊
It's a gift of life to have the possibility doing such travels with your loved ones. Absolutely amzing.
Your dad is amazing for his age. Well done both of you
Beautiful film and what a wonderful way to spend time with your father having an adventure on your bromies 😊
I cried with happiness for you both. For you Susannah that you are well enough to have this adventure with your darling Dad. For your Dad, in that he is fit and well enough to create a magical memory. Blessed are you both to show us what a cherished, loving relationship exists between you both. So so happy for you both. So special. Greetings from sunny Australia.
Aw Carol thank you for the lovely comment! sending greetings flying over to you there in Australia x
You are so amazing.. absolutely adorable. This is the way to celebrate life. Greetings from Lithuania
Just watched this Susanna and I loved it. Your Dad is so fit and healthy looking. I can only wish to be cycling my own Brompton if I reach 87 yo. What a brilliant adventure for the both of you. Best wishes to you both from Belfast, Northern Ireland 👍
Well, I hope I can do what your dad has done when I'm his age! Inspirational.
What a great trip. I loved seeing you combine the touring with the bus. Perfect. Your dad is amazing, as are you. Once again, I am in awe.
Aw thanks Jo, glad you enjoyed it!
Dads are Precious.
What a wonderful holiday and great to spend time with your Dad. He's actually in very good nick for his age.
The last time I went cycling with my Dad was back in 1969 when I was around 7 years old. My Dad developed rheumatoid arthritis when he was very young and wasn't able to do much active sport with us boys, there were four of us (brothers) and we all enjoyed sport and getting out and I know my Dad wanted to participate but he just couldn't, his body wouldn't let him. Sadly he passed away in 1988 but I still miss him and think about him every day. He was a Lovely Dad to us and did his Best despite his disability.
Aw Sandy thank you for watching. Yes youre right Dads are so precious. I am so lucky. I'm sorry to hear that your Dad wasnt able to do as much as he wanted, and wasnt able to join activities with you and your brothers. (gosh four boys!) But I am glad that you had a lovely Dad. Thank you for writing! sending best wishes x
This is beautiful. It hits my heart...my Dad is a very big part of my life. He's soon to be 93 and unfortunately has bad knees and can't do these kind of things anymore. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Vicky Lynne! thank you for writing. Sorry to hear your Dad's knees are not good. Yes Dad and me are both really lucky to be able to do such nice things still. Dad is being treated for cancer too but he is coping with it all really well. We are both very lucky. Glad you enjoyed our film! Sending best wishes to you and your Dad x
You both are awesome. Cycling is amazing for all ages.
Another lovely, heartwarming video Susanna! Watching it just now we commented on how nice it was to see someone in their 70s being so active and how good your dad looked, and then I went to read your description and was shocked to find he’s not in his 70s at all! I’m always so pleased when you upload a video, thanks for sharing.
Hi Laura! aw thank you, glad you liked the film! thank you for writing!
Wonderful video of your lovely, short holiday with your Dad. I, like many others, look forward to your inspiring videos Susanna. Thank you for sharing them!
Oh how I wish my dad can do this with me! You two are so lovely together ... Thank you for sharing this with us x
Aw Eva thank you for the lovely comment. Sending you best wishes xx
Well done Dad for your effort at a grand age !
What a heartwarming video Susanna, absolutely beautiful 🚲🙂👍
Love to see the Old Historic Churches.
Lovely scenic views on your travels.
The Scramble eggs looked very good.
Glad you got to spend some quality time with your dad.
Wow, so sweet!! you're amazing, cheers from Uruguay 🏆👏
Lovely trip Susanna, you and your dad are amazing
87 and he was motoring up that hill. He must've had his weetabix!
I would have loved to ride with my father. You're lucky, Susanna. Make the most of it. 🤗
What a simply lovely video Susanna, great weather, company and wonderful countryside. Thanks for taking us along, on a very special minibreak (often the best) ATB Big Dave Scotland
Aw thank you Big Dave! yep, you put it perfectly... ATB to you too!!
We loved this video ❤ So much respect for your Dad wow what an inspiration 😅
Love it! Wish I can do the same with my kids when I’m older. He is 3 and he asked if he can have my Brompton when he is tall enough 😅
Your dad is still strong. Got more hair than me. Great to be up and about!!
Huge congratulations for being recognised as one of the Cycle Uk 100 women in cycling. I couldn’t think of a more worthy person to be on that list.
Hope all is well. Sharon.
Hi Sharon! thank you for writing! yes it is an honour!! It is amazing to be on that list with all those super and diverse and interesting people. Hope you are well and having a good day today. More films coming soon! I have been out a lot and feel good, so glad and lucky! x
@@susannathornton Excellent, glad you are well and I’m really looking forward to the next instalment.
The apple never falls far from the tree.
Marvellous trip. And the weather! Amazing. Music was a bit loud at times. Keep cycling, Suzanne.
Thank you again for sharing.
Take care, all the very best.
Lovely video to watch! You know what I liked (although it's not the done thing to say it)? That neither of you is wearing a helmet! And your dad is wearing such nice normal clothes!! And I love his trousers tucked into his socks.... A proper cyclist.
Hello Lizzie aw thank you, Dad and I are sitting together reading through all the lovely things people said again this evening. Thank you for writing x
Thanks as Susanna for another lovely video, great to see your Dad joining in, only spoilet with that dreadful music, so nice on the parts without it, so we can here you chat to Dad.
Wonderful! What a pleasure to watch. Your dad is fab!
yes he is x
Lots of pretty little churches, I like the stonemason designs, especially the dog and cat. I think Mocca was the best, just imagine living on that estate with that lovely little church in the grounds.
My dad regaled me of his cycling days, he’d think nothing of riding from Fareham to Arundel Castle and back when he was a teenager. I tried to teach him to ride my Brompton during lockdown, but his riding balance has gone unfortunately.
You’re the spitting image of your dad.
Yeh I liked Moccas a lot too. Imagine living there. Your own cricket pitch and everything. Amazing. Sounds like your Dad enjoyed his bike a lot. Sorry to hear his balance has gone. Dad and me know we are are super lucky. We were just on the phone chatting about it now. Nothing is to be taken for granted is it, so much to be thankful for. Anyway, best wishes! thanks for watching!
Keek the wind on your back for a long time yet. Many thanks.
Wonderful , thanks for taking us along .
What a lovely Surprise to wake up to early on a Sunday Morning, Susanna AND her dad , thank you for posting your wonderful adventure.
Lots of love and Brompton vibes from Australia 💞🌻🌅☕️
Hello Julie! Thanks for writing! Hope you had a nice weekend! Best wishes from Dad and me winging over to you there in Australia!
Very moving. You did a wonderful thing for your Dad
Aw thanks - it's the other way round really
Thank you for taking us with you in this trip.
Yes we enjoyed that, sanity in this mad mad world…PaD x New Forest
Salute to Dad!
What a great video! Loved watching it. Greetings from Rotterdam
Lovely ❤. So heartwarming. Thank you for this.
Yay! So very cool. Bus and Brompton Bike Hire holiday for the score. Brilliant! Thanks so much for bring us along for the ride. Cheers! 😊
Hi Active Towns! thanks for writing! yes it was brilliant to go a holiday like that, folding bikes and buses. Made it feel like we deserved all the cheesecakes and thing haha! I'd not done anything quite like that before, using the bus network actually. Having good info online re bus times and detailed bus maps etc makes quite easy really. Takes a bit of time to plan but then it worked nicely. And Brompton Bike Hire was brilliant. We'd not done that before either. £5 a day. Amazing really
@@susannathornton Yes, re: Brompton Bike Hire, sounds truly amazing. Will Butler-Adams, CEO of Brompton mentioned the program in my interview with him, but I had not yet seen anyone document their experience. I typically have my Brommie with me at all times, but certainly see wanting to hire an extra one for a family member or friend like this. Very cool and conducive to building fond memories like this.
Hi Susan hope you are keeping well, Happy Christmas to you and your family wishing you good health in 2024
Good story. I'm glad you had time with your dad on this journey.
Hi Susanna,lovely to see you out again,those memories created with your dad are priceless that no money can buy,atb Colin P.
Thank you for your videos and the inspiration that you and your dad have given.
I caught the train to Hereford yesterday and cycled to some of the castles and churches in your video. Beautiful and interesting ride. Thank you for the idea.
I hope to catch the train to Hereford again and cycle home to Newport.
Hi Martyn! how lovely, glad you enjoyed it too! Hope you had some nice good etc too like we did, cheese cake and things
Lovely! 👍🙂
Absolutely fantastic. Kg.
Aw thanks Kieron! Glad you liked it x Dad and I are lucky that we can do things we enjoy
I can't improve upon the raft of lovely comments that you have already received for this video. They were well deserved. Thank you for another wonderful video.
Wishing you a beautiful Christmas and may 2024 see you in remission from C and out there having more fun adventures and..selfishly..sharing them with us.
Greetings from a hot, sunny and humid Australia.
🥳🥂🥳
Hi Carol! thank you for the lovely message! best wishes for the New Year!
Very impressive riding with father. Brompton is conntecting the relationship more tightly and warmly. Good!!!
Beautiful video. Thanks for sharing.💖
Oh, these .... hedges. Blocking the view.
I hope my daughter rides with me when I'm 87.
Thank you for taking us along. ❤
So inspirational and beautiful
Rarely I comment on your videos but this is lovely 🧡🧡🧡👌
Aw thanks Vijaybose, glad you like it
What a fantastic video and a joy seeing your Dad still enjoying cycling at 87😃 Your videos so inspirational Susannah and again thank you❤
What a wonderful video! My dad, who is no longer with us, taught me how to ride over 50 years ago and I have not stopped. How I wish I could have had such a wonderful time like you!
I have always believed that cycling does not make you live long, it makes you live well. I need to rethink that. It seems to do both. This was very moving, Susanna, thank you.
Susanna,
Absolutely wonderful. You have done a great deal of cycling, but I imagine this experience is tops. There is nothing I like better than taking cycling trips with my sons and grandchildren; precious moments.
P.S. Your dad is my new hero.
Peter Forde
Aw Peter thank you for writing. That sounds so nice, cycling with your sons, and their children... Aw my Dad is my hero too!! best wishes and see you guys on the road!!
Thank you for making these videos I always enjoy them, this one was especially heartwarming. You inspired me to do my own Brompton trips and I did my first overnighter this last weekend. I drove my daughter off to college and let her keep my car and then rode A pretty long way and did some camping and then grabbed the train home. It was a completely different way to bike tour and I want to do more of it. Thank you for showing me that this was possible, I never would have suspected the little Brompton had any utility for this kind of use.
Hi John! oh that sounds great! Bravo you, sounds brilliant to ride part way home like that
Great video as usual Sussana, precious memories for you and your dad ( PRICELESS ) thanks for sharing: Russ 🚴♀️🚴♂️ ☕
Thanks Russ!! Glad you liked it!
@@susannathornton 💐☕🍰
Hey Susanna. Lovely video. Your dad! What an amazing gent he is. 87! Incredible example to us all. I love Herefordshire, especially that area. My in laws used to live near Weobley so we often went up there. Those churches are fantastic and the roads really are pretty quiet. Pembridge and Eardisland are well worth a visit if you are up there again. Both beautiful villages with lots of timber frame buildings and Pembridge has a separate bell tower from its church.
Hi Vin! Aw thanks for writing! How nice that you know that area from many visits and family connections. I loved the bits Dad and I saw on this visit. I was surprised about how much timber framing there was round there actually. I thought of timber frame as a Cheshire thing - which is kind of where I am from - and obviously I am wrong!
Yes. They even have the black and white house trail round there. As with the churches, the other border architecture is great and very historic. When we first went up there about 35yrs ago some of the neighbours still didn’t have mains electricity or water.
I've just today discovered your channel and your travels. I'm so glad I did! Your videos are so uplifting and interesting, and I like the way you put them together, including the music you use. This one, with your dad, is so heart warming and inspirational. I'm 58 and i hope to be cycling when I'm your dad's age. Very impressive! Also, I watched the first part of your trip to Sweden and loved it. I'm so looking forward to the next part!
Hi Alice! thanks for writing! glad you like the channel! welcome! Next part of the Sweden trip is coming soon... working on it 💻🙄
I love this :) - thank you so much for sharing.
Your dad’s awesome x
Loved that 😊thanks for posting.
It’s wonderful creating memories with parents ❤
You're right about that, you're never too old to go bike touring. I just finished my tour.👍
Loved the Churches. Loved the scenery. Loved seeing father's love for daughter. Loved seeing daughter's love for father. Loved this video.
Hey Susannah. I discovered your channel after I got my Brompton a few weeks ago! I have the coral one and I think you have it too.
I absolutely love your channel and find you and your adventures really inspiring.
I’m now planning my first Brompton trip already from where I live in London to a camp site on a farm in Hertfordshire.
Thank you for sharing your experiences and I look forward to your next video!
Hi Darin! oh that sounds great, yeh mine is fire coral too, I love it. I've got a couple of little chips now in the paintjob argh but never mind, they are meant to be used arent they. Hope the Hertfordshire trip goes well, sounds great! Thanks for writing! Happy cycling!!
Wonderful memories of Father Daughter Brompton cycling tour❤❤❤
Just beautiful! What better way to spend Dad and daughter time than a bus and Brompton tour of historic churches 😀 and your dad looks so fit and healthy for 87, I’m sure the cycling has helped.
I enjoy watching your trips. Im very impressed with your farther striding on up the hill not wishing to walk. You're both lovely people.
What a great ‘Peter pan ‘ of a father you have . Fantastic trip
Hi Susanna , great video with your Dad . Many plus features: lovely Dad , rendezvous adventure, interesting subject e.g. medieval churches, English countryside at its best etc. Really enjoyed it . Inspiring me to use Brompton as part of post cancer surgery recovery plan. Your videos always appreciated . Danny Kahan
Hi Danny! Aw thank you for writing. Sorry to hear you are also having to do a cancer surgery recovery plan. It is so nice to hear that like the films. Wishing you lots of happy miles, on lovely roads, meeting nice people, having nice coffee stops, and all that sort of thing...
@@susannathornton thanks Susanna , keep pedalling and filming, it’s appreciated by many viewers
If this wasn't a special trip I don't know what is. Thank you so much for sharing, Susanna
Go dad well great to see an 87 year old riding so well
What a wonderful video Susanna. Please thank your Dad for joining you on yet another excellent trip. Stockport is dear to my heart. I was born there and all my Mum's side of the family lived in Edgeley. Your Brommy trips are legendary. Stay safe.
Wowwwww! Susanna, u r such an inspiration! I am travelling vicariously through u really! And this trip with your dad made me wish I had a chance to do it with my dad & mum too... Been a year since their passing... U rock for celebrating life, your dad & mum! :)
Hi Cara, aw thank you for writing. What a lovely message. I'm sorry about your Mum and Dad. I am so lucky to be able to do a ride with my Dad. Sending best wishes x
I loved watching this. So lovely to see you and your dad cycling together and the smiles on your faces. I see your dad has still got his cycling legs, a fair speed up that hill! Thanks for sharing!😊🚴♀️🚴🌞
You Both Are Special To Each Other, lovely to see you Cycling With Your Dad, He Definitely Flew Up Those Hills To Burn Of The Cheesecake !!!
Haha yes, he did fly up that hill, after a nice big piece of cheesecake haha! Thanks for watching, and for writing Robert! x
What a lovely way to spend time with your Dad exploring such beautiful places
Wonderful ! Precious times together for Dad and Daughter 😊
What an absolutely delightful few days with your dad. Beautiful video, thank you.
The fact that one can take small foldable bikes such as the Brompton on UK buses as "luggage" is something that makes our rather patchy bus network so much more useful! When combined with lifts in cars and trains it's a really practical and efficient way to get around.
Hi Stephen! yeh it was great to try out a little bus-and-folding bike holiday, and disvoer that it can actually work, despite the patchy bus network. Before we did this trip, I didn't know what apps etc to use for bus timetables and route maps etc, but I found some really good bus websites actually, once I looked into it. Actually about cars, Dad and I met a chap who was on holiday visiting villages and churches etc by car, and he said he had had a nightmare driving and navigating and not being able to stop on small roads and feeling stressed etc. That did made me think yeh, it was really enjoyable to ditch the car and use bikes and buses like that. We had taxi numbers too so if necessary we could always call a taxi too, and just put the folding bikes in the boot.
@@susannathornton Indeed! And these hybrid journeys are also so important in encouraging people worried about their fitness to get on a bike for the first time. I must admit I had a cycling gap of a couple of decades. Buying a folding a bike initially gave me the confidence to try things knowing that if the worse happened I could always take the bus home up that big hill!
Oh thats the same as me, after I recovered from a big operation a few years ago, I was really unsure about my fitness etc. I went on a solo overnight camp (super happy!!!), and it was the Brompton that gave me confidence to set out, cos I knew that if I needed to bail out, I could just fold up, and get a bus, or ring for a taxi. You're right, the ability to fold up definitely helps lower the barriers to heading out there
this is awesome video, my tears just flowing out
Aw thank you SK, glad you enjoyed it! Well, if crying is enjoying it!! thanks for watching!
What a super trip. Beautiful churches, wonderful stained glass at the end and your lovely dad for company. And the meals! I’ve enjoyed this trip very much. Thank you.
Hi Emma! aw thank you! glad you enjoyed it!
What a fantastic trip! I lived in Hereford for a little while, and you've introduced me to places I've not seen - always a great excuse to go back. And lovely to see you with your dad; I was lucky enough to have that good a relationship with my mum, and it's great to see you enjoying your time together.
Just wonderful ❤
This is lovely ❤