An Explosive Start

Well, not the sort of bangs one yearns for. Two punctures on the Univega caused by two shards of glass working through the tyre casing marked New Years' Eve but a minor irritation in comparison with the sudden demise of the Ka's cam-shaft, orbiting the M25 with son and co-pilot beside me on New Years' day. Mercifully as the Endura is an old eight valve pushrod engine, I was able to coax it the final eighty miles home. Alas, an estimated £600 rebuild pushes it beyond economic repair given twelve years and 90,000 miles. For the time being, this large load-lugging diesel Renault is serving me well. The purists will doubtless question my need for a car but 30,000 business miles (let alone the 9,000 aboard my two-wheeled fleet) dictates otherwise.

Purging the dreaded hiss proved trickier than first thought thanks to the unreliability of quick seal, glue-less patches that lift with frightening ease in sub zero temperatures. To the rescue comes my ultra dependable Rema tip-top found hibernating in the depths of a little used saddlebag, sealing both awkward holes first time, sans fuss-even opposite the valve stem on an ultra-light tube!

The river of advancement has flowed at a phenomenal rate over the past twenty years. Despite this, some things remain strangely familiar and the humble bar mounted computer is one such example. The Vetta on the right of the picture is one of the first generation wireless units, looking quaint in comparison with the fourteen function base model nestling beside it. However, they share identical batteries and very similar transponders, spoke magnets/consumerables.

Some firms are developing super-consoles incorporating rear view mirrors and a wealth of other space ace advances firmly rooted in science fiction. Not sure I'm ready for this particular quantum leap but that's the beauty of cycling-it can be as simple, or complex as we choose. An ultra compact, bar mounted sat nav on the other hand has my senses screaming with excitement...Technological developments and the economies of scale, supply and demand have certainly brought exotic materials well within the reach of most mortals while specifications continue to rise for the same and indeed, less outlay every year.

Admittedly, there's considerable badge engineering and cloning at play with only the decals and livery separating some brands. Such must be partially responsible for the revival in traditional, bespoke frame building. Now, I've always loved high quality steel framesets but contrary to the romantics, we're unlikely to return to the halcyon days of the post war era where (predominantly) young men qued up, desperate to be chosen for an apprenticeship by local wizards of the oxyacetylene torch.

Time and again, letters from bright young things crop up in the Cycling media asking if they should embark on a frame building course in preference to a BSC in engineering. The usual, reasoned editorial response is that academic qualification is a sound, life-long foundation. There's no reason why a career in frame building shouldn't follow but should demand drop off or ill-health force retirement, the academic grounding provides options and in some cases a lifeline. Twenty five years ago, skilled typesetters and artists re-touchers in the print industry enjoyed earnings equivalent to £1500 per week. Those days are but a memory thanks to radical changes in both production methods and the political landscape.

Just as there are remarkably good frame builders with little or no academic or formal education, there are salesmen "from the streets" earning five figure salaries, capable of out-witting psychology graduates without raising a finger. However, failure to adapt often sees such revered economic prowess vanish overnight.
Recent "Arctic" conditions have caused coastal based frame builder Justin Burls to contemplate the integrity of his workshop roof as it groans under the sheer weight of snow. That aside, he remains focused on long steady swims and turbo trainer slavery in preparation for his first triathlon in June. Our postman continues to slither tirelessly along the lanes aboard his 50lb Pashley delivering our mail with a cheery smile. However, such was seasonal demand, I've only just received the Jagwire cableset sent on December the 16th!
This week's new toy is a Gorilla pod- basically a highly articulate tripod made from rubberised discs capable of latching on to pretty much any surface-great for touring or casual group rides. This version comes complete with an integral spirit level and entertains cameras-including SLRs up to 800g. Thus far, I'm really impressed, although, there's been scant opportunity to come out to play/take many "from the cockpit" shots...Maybe next week!