The Great Thaw

After two weeks comprising of casual fettling, inspecting potential car purchases and generally making best use of enforced saddle-leave, the coldest weather front in over two decades finally relented leaving water-logged roads and the need for mudguards-hence my first official ride of 2010 was aboard the Univega. This also presented the ideal opportunity for testing some fantastic little commuter lighting. Power to weight, the curiously monikered Nuke light easily knocks 5watt lead-acid lamps into the shade. Better still, it charges from the USB port or mains in just over three hours and the tool free handlebar bracket means it goes on and off in a flash.

Talking of flash, the sudden thaw brought legions of cyclists, from old couples aboard tandems to young families and competitive road racers freed from turbo trainer slavery flocking to the highways and byways. Unfortunately, I'd forgotten to swap the gorillapod from Univega to Teenage Dream so you'll have to settle for this shot of said machine lazing on the outskirts of Peldon village. More fun comes courtesy of this Miche Xpress road-fixed wheelset. Mid section anodized rims with machined sidewalls are laced two cross to shapely large-flange hubs turning on super smooth cartridge bearings, promising a heady blend of zip for time trialing and reliability for four seasons' road duties. Rumour suggests they're growing in acclaim amongst the dispatch mob which bodes well for us mere mortals.

With a moderate £200 asking price they're a touch pretty for daily drivers left locked for long periods in and around slum neighbourhoods and those lured by the thrills and spills of fixed gear 'cross racing will find small flange hubs deliver a smoother ride. That said, first impressions are very favourable and I'll return with a more comprehensive report five hundred or so miles from now...

I've also received a pair of the Russian made Flax linen socks From Mila Ptashenko of Pure Linen so we'll see if the claimed health giving properties ward off the evil eye, keeping me sans germs for the remainder of winter. 2010 seems to be forging ahead at phenomenal speed relative to my sense of achievement but maybe there's some truth in the old adage of things being darkest before the dawn and hopefully lighter evenings will resurrect my creative spark. Another nice surprise is this Gusset stem arriving in today's post. With thirty-five degree rise and detailing topping that of models costing twice as much, it may provide the optimum position for tarmac and trail duties aboard the Univega.

Business took me to Cambridge, a city synonymous with academic excellence and one with an enviably safe cycling environment. Cyclists and pedestrians co-exist peaceably and without incident-even in the main shopping areas while the extensive network of generous cycle lanes provide seamless connection to suburbia. Refreshingly driver behaviour/attitudes seems notably improved with fewer incidents or aggressive undertones. Joe and Joanna public all too frequently assumes that vehicle taxation pays for road maintenance and thus use this(consciously or otherwise) to legitimate irrational and downright intimidatory behaviours towards more vulnerable traffic. Roads are of course, maintained and developed through direct taxation-irrespective of whether a motor vehicle is owned/used on the public highway.
Reminiscent of Amsterdam, there's a real sense of liberation in watching heavy, single speed hacks trickling along the car free concourse, the gentle tinkle of bells and rattle of chain guards/fenders announcing their presence to passers by. Cycle parking can border on abandonment thanks to sheer numbers but the seemingly progressive local authority has addressed this with the construction of large, secure, multi storey parking nestling alongside short stay car provision .

Fixers were conspicuous by their absence and glancing at them drew suspicious stares from their owners so the little Fuji stayed tucked away in my breast pocket. Common to most cities, theft is a serious problem and while this particular region isn't beset with the same degree of socio-economic hardship as some inner city locations, relative affluence, a transient population and ready motorway links translate into higher insurance premiums.

Consistent supply and demand means machines are offered openly for sale on street markets at suspiciously keen prices. The uncomfortable truth is so long as people remain ignorant/indifferent to stolen property, it will continue to flourish. Thieves lack the rudimentary values of mercy and compassion and simplistically, continue their sordid activities because they can. Punishment and consequence are infrequent relative to economic reward while such behaviour is labeled "victimless"-they get a bike from someone who's insured and therefore likely to get a new/better machine anyhow. Bicycle theft is curiously regarded as small beer to police and public alike but frequently just another avenue of organised crime incorporating car, van, motorcycle theft accompanied by drug and people trafficking/ money laundering of industrial proportion.

Anyone unfortunate enough to lose a treasured bike will confirm that insurance payouts are a last resort, sugaring the economic loss yet never replacing the memories of racing glory, epic rides, good times and bad told in nicked frame enamel and worn anodizing. Gone to pay for a fix, settle a debt or fill an order book!

Poverty and/or lack of opportunity are the over simplistic, default explanations for such phenomenon but fundamentally flawed rationale's. Much of the world lives in genuine poverty but does not steal. On a lighter note, the region has many fine bike shops and on the strength of my visit, a disproportionate number of hairdressers/barbers too-a bi-product of unprecedented incidences of helmet hair?