Brompton bicycle ride in Colombo, Sri Lanka 

Thanks. Yes, that is exactly the reason I started this channel. To show people that bicycling is a real option, even though it might not look like it....

My first visit to Sri Lanka was about 7 years ago. Massive changes indeed!

Simon Chua My pleasure. Glad you liked this ride, now in a new country :-)

I understand that bicycling was quite common in Colombo just 1 generation ago. So, why not work to bring back the bicycling culture - it will help ease the heavy traffic jams, too :-)

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I normally have quite a good sense of the traffic around me. And I'm ready to break and avoid accidents anytime, even when I have the right of way. That's the right approach.... :-)

Yeah, it a bit more eventful to bicycle in Asia than in my home country of Denmark with bicycle paths everywhere

Thanks - always glad when people appreciate watching my rides :-) Renting a Brompton in Paris sounds great. I wish we could do that too in this part of the World.... Enjoy!

The traffic was intense but okay. Biggest adjustment for me was to get used to how the small 3-wheeler vehicles move.

gliderrider Thanks. More videos Will be coming :-)

Correct, it is not as stressful in reality, as it may look on the video.

I also wish to go to Japan ;-) Will work to that effect :-)

Thanks. Helps to be experienced and very comfortable on a bicycle :-)

I felt quite safe, but it might not look that way. Always remember: Safety first! :-)

Thanks. The short turning radius of the tuktuks was something I had to adjust to, as this was new to me. I try to practise defensive driving, aka always able to break and/or swerve away from collisions. Its usually when two or more unpredictable things take place than an accident might happen.... Watch out / stay alert. That's the best I can do.....

Comment translated (Google translate): Thank you very much for your videos and comments. They inspire and encourage cycling. Greetings from the Canary Islands, Juan Luis.

Reply: Thanks. Mission accomplished. As this is exactly why I started this channel. To inspire people to bicycle :-)

Reply translated (google translate): Gracias. Misión cumplida. Como esta es exactamente la razón por la que comencé este canal. Para inspirar a la gente a andar en bicicleta :-)

The 3-wheeler tuk-tuk vehicles run on petrol, but there are initiatives to shift to cleaner fuels or even batteries; see link: www.sundaytimes.lk/180729/news/the-smart-three-wheeler-that-doesnt-tuk-tuk-304677.html

I see. Thanks for clarification :-)

Glad to hear that. One of my inspirations for doing these movies were the train ride movies, where a video camera is mounted at the front of the train. Many people also find that relaxing to watch.

Yes, defensive bicycling is definitely a must in Colombo. As I always say, safety first!

Thanks - glad you liked the video

Thanks. It looks a bit more dramatic on the video than it feels in reality.

It is very comfortable :-)

You are welcome :-)

El Gran Monarca Correct, I did not see any Brompton bicycles on my 5-day stay

In Kuala Lumpur, PedalSpot (SS2) sells Brompton bicycles. I am sure they are also sold elsewhere in Malaysia, as the number of Brompton bicycles in Malaysia seems to have exploded in recent years.

Yup, very useful :-)

thanks :-)

Thanks for the advise. I look forward to using my new GPS for navigation and finding the back-roads with less traffic. I'm using a GoPro Hero4 camera

:-)

Thanks. And what's a Brompton lawyer...? :-)

mysustainablefuture its a lawyer who uses a Brompton to work 😂

Okay, got it :-)

Just watch the 10 first seconds of the video, and you will see how I pack the bicycle and my clothing into a suitcase.

Experience cyclists can bicycle without having to look at the road at all times. It is a bit like walking, where you can still keep your balance even though you turn your head. :-)

No need to be scared, just be alert ;-)

The gearing is very high. In my highest gear, one revolution of the pedals rolls the bicycle 8.6 meters on the ground. The gearing is almost like a racing bike :-)

@@mysustainablefuture Wow amazing bike, I think this bike only can reach 30 kmph with 20 inchi wheel, this gear bike very powerfull than shimano, right, If folding bike with wheel 20 inchi and gear Shimano, cannot reach 30 kmph even if use hight gear, this is technology gear london can lost gear shimano, amazing technology

The name is: Brompton B&W Folding Bike Hard Case You can find it on this link: www.comptoncycles.co.uk/m5b0s250p9111/B-and-W-Folding-Bike-Hard-Case

When seated, I can only reach the ground with the tip of my toe

@@mysustainablefuture which is better brompton or Mtb for you???

@@takrelanakhidup180 Brompton is good for me because of its compact fold

Yes, came to Colombo for a project. BTW, I also used to live in California (Los Angeles), where I also felt quite lonely as a cyclist, as this city is built up on the premise of people owning a car ;-)

I'm more south in Berkeley. Plenty of Cyclists here!

Yeah, I would think so. I lived in L.A. in the early 1990s, so perhaps bicycling has also made some advances since then.... :-)

Zalik Burah Leaving Sri Lanka tonight, i.e. same day as my ride. Will likely come back to Colombo in September

It new but perfect to watch ?

The software used to overlay the instrument dashboard on the video is called Virb Edit, as mentioned in the description below the video.

The video is filmed with a GoPro Hero 4 mounted on a stabilizer gimbal on a chest strap. The measurements are done with a Garmin Edge 520 and a PowerPod for the power measurements. The software used to overlay the instrument dashboard on the video is called Virb Edit. Glad you liked the video :-)

@@mysustainablefuture great thanks.

You are most welcome :-)

Nope, 100% human powered

Thanks for the comment. I regret if the video left with you some negative feelings, which I assure you was not my intent. If you would care to clarify, I would be very interested in hearing what you have to say :-)

Thank you for being receptive to my expressed impressions. Primarily, the negative feelings stemmed from the middle part of the video during which you mentioned learning how to say "black man" in a particular language in response to being called "white man." On one hand, I can understand your point. However, history creates a context that suggests that addressing a person by his race has a less than respectful connotation (despite how the responder was initially addressed), especially in a former colonized country or where there's a long history of racial oppression. And earlier in the video, you mentioned that you'd "show them how it's done..." Initially, I thought that it was a reminder that we Westerners must take care not come across as condescending to citizens of host countries. However, in watching it again I didn't see/hear anything out of order or in anyway condescending. Again, thanks so much for the opportunity to elaborate on my thoughts. Please keep uploading your great videos. I learn something new with each one; really fun to watch. And I'd love to see you do another one in Copenhagen, featuring your Brompton (instead of a regular bike). And if you're ever on vacation in Japan, Vietnam, or anywhere in France, please do make a video or 2 or 3 : )Finally, thank you for promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness. As I share your views, I've just about made up my mind to buy a Brompton for myself. And your videos are a great source of inspiration.

Thanks, Tanya, for elaborating. I fully agree with you that we should not be addressing people by their race. In this video, somebody called out "white man" at me, and it made me recall my earlier 2-3 months trips to Ghana, where people, mostly children, everyday would shout "white man" at me. This was done as a friendly gesture often accompanied with big smiles and waving hands. So, I would return the friendly greeting, smile, wave and say either "hello" or "black man" in the local language, the latter often prompting even bigger smiles. It was all done in good fun, and there was never any racist elements in these exchanges. Glad you that you have decided to buy a Brompton for yourself.... :-)

yes :-)

I disagree. I found the streets and sidewalks to be quite clean, perhaps except in the market area, where its always a bit more chaotic. Go visit for yourself, I'm sure you will like it :-) And Sri Lanka has much to offer the tourist outside of Colombo, for example, lots of white beaches with palm trees and beautiful highlands with tea plantations.