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Mac & Mike's Pick: Folding Bicycles

By WEEK Reporter
August 22, 2011 Updated Aug 22, 2011 at 10:30 PM CDT

And they're off! First step: unfold the bike.

Hundreds of bicycle competitors from around the world got together in England.

They were there to battle for the title of "folding bike world champion".

It's a bit of a Europe thing. Folding bicycles aren't as popular here, but are beloved in Europe for their portability.

More than 750 competitors from 31 countries faced off on an eight-mile race for the fourth championship Brompton race.

Brompton is a brand of folding bike, which was the first part of the race--unfolding the bike.

Organizers had banned Lycra and other sporting attire, so costumes were the order of the day for many.

In the end, northern Ireland's Michael Hutchinson won the race in a record time of 20 minutes 15 seconds, leading the race from the start and never looked like he was going to lose the lead.

It was a bit more challenging for others.

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