Last Monday brought the arrival of the New Campagnolo Xenon crankset and Look pattern pedals. Proverbial child at Christmas I whipped the old Stronglight from their tapers, slid their replacements in position and cut the chain by three links to accommodate the change in ratios from the old fashioned 52/42 to 53/39-much better on the climbs or “up hill and down dale” to use a quaint British expression. Trimming the brake cable outers brought modulation and feel into the 21st century and with a quick once-over of stem, crank bolts and installation of a modern wireless computer, our eagerly anticipated first outing was nigh.
Despite quaint looks, there’s nothing “old flame” about performance, delivering the same supple, yet responsive ride that saw me fall in love with it all those years ago-an ISIS bottom bracket would doubtless offer a little extra rigidity when climbing out of the saddle but that’s about the only discernable difference between the Teenage dream and more modern bikes in my fleet. That said there’s some low-level tinkering taking place. Gone is the “60psi and burst blood vessel if you’re lucky” frame fit pump in favour of a much more sophisticated and dare I say beju SKS mini pump and I’m unsure as to whether the Cinelli Spinachi will remain at the helm… Think a more traditional Tri bars might be called for but I’ll see what turns up.
Project Road Path is gathering some much needed momentum in the guise of a wheelset looking for all the world as if it’s been holidaying in Chernobyl. Elegant and super smooth sealed bearing track hubs should with some basic care brave the four seasons and I’ve lost my puritanical hatred of flip/flop hubs, assuming a more moderate stance when reasoning it follows in the tradition of practicality and versatility expressed by the Road Path concept, albeit demanding a rear brake to comply with the long arm of UK legislation.
Elsewhere, Colchester was one of twelve towns (including Milton Keynes, Exeter, Woking, Peterborough, Blackpool, Southport, Stoke-on-Trent and Chester) fortunate enough to play host to professional road racing courtesy of the tour series. Crudely it’s a series of closed circuit criterium racing sweeping around the historic market town. Roads were closed throughout the day to encourage what might be termed a carnival atmosphere and upon my arrival late afternoon; it was obvious riders of all ages were taking advantage of the closed streets.
Project Road Path is gathering some much needed momentum in the guise of a wheelset looking for all the world as if it’s been holidaying in Chernobyl. Elegant and super smooth sealed bearing track hubs should with some basic care brave the four seasons and I’ve lost my puritanical hatred of flip/flop hubs, assuming a more moderate stance when reasoning it follows in the tradition of practicality and versatility expressed by the Road Path concept, albeit demanding a rear brake to comply with the long arm of UK legislation.Elsewhere, Colchester was one of twelve towns (including Milton Keynes, Exeter, Woking, Peterborough, Blackpool, Southport, Stoke-on-Trent and Chester) fortunate enough to play host to professional road racing courtesy of the tour series. Crudely it’s a series of closed circuit criterium racing sweeping around the historic market town. Roads were closed throughout the day to encourage what might be termed a carnival atmosphere and upon my arrival late afternoon; it was obvious riders of all ages were taking advantage of the closed streets. The town generally bristled with activity thanks to the market stalls hosted by national radio, television and of course cycling and other small retailers. From six onwards, the pros began to parade the circuits together, some playing to the gallery, most laughing and joking amongst themselves before the serious business of racing. 
Seven and the streets swelled with anticipation as the motorcycle camera crew signalled the brightly coloured sea of riders, the Rapha Condor team particularly distinctive by their black livery. As the bunch remained largely tight and my camera shutter whirred and clicked away, I couldn’t help drifting back to Paul Kimmage’s “Rough Ride”-an expose’ of late 1980s professional cycling stooped in politics and a cynical doping culture.
Seven and the streets swelled with anticipation as the motorcycle camera crew signalled the brightly coloured sea of riders, the Rapha Condor team particularly distinctive by their black livery. As the bunch remained largely tight and my camera shutter whirred and clicked away, I couldn’t help drifting back to Paul Kimmage’s “Rough Ride”-an expose’ of late 1980s professional cycling stooped in politics and a cynical doping culture. I longed for the display unfolding before me to be one of genuine competition and a far cry from the days when prize monies and rider positioning were decided before the first pedal stroke.
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