Recent weeks have literally
passed with electrifying pace and being the season of ever encroaching
darkness, I’ve been happily putting blinkies of varying fire-power and
orientations through their paces. As with anything, there are some remarkably
tall, not to mention endearing myths about power outputs. Raw figures can be
very misleading. However; suggestion that 300 lumens represent
sufficient navigational clout for unlit rural stuff beyond 12mph induces
hyena-esque laughter from yours truly.
500 upwards is my benchmark, though while 1000+ is absolutely superb, greater sensitivity and
deft dipping is required to avoid diplomatic incidents. Speaking of focus, I’m
always amazed by the power of deadlines to motivate remarkable achievement.
This gyroscopic effect has also resulted in progression with book chapters
and other project management, which can be overlooked given competing, everyday
professional/personal priorities.
Lee Cooper (http://leecoopercycles.webs.com/)
dropped me an email advising the Holdsworth’s structural repair was complete-
timely since I was heading to Birmingham on Friday the 15th to see
Soul II Soul perform at the Town Hall. So I arranged to head up on the
Thursday and leave it in a dry, locked and moreover secure location while this
and photographic projects were pursued with commensurate vigour. Maldon Shot
blasting & Powder Coating were generous enough to advise they had RAL 5024
in stock, inviting me to drop by with the Holdsworth when a convenient moment
presented itself.
Once this stage and front
end are reunited, I’ll reassemble, tweaking its original line up with
alternatives hibernating in my spares bin. This can be done at my leisure
(probably during the Christmas/New Year corridor) as we slide into the salty,
slimier season. Judging by recent forecasts, the Univega might be sporting
those spiked Schwalbe faster than originally anticipated.
Pleased to report said tubby
tourer’s present configuration pleases me immensely, giving a really secure, planted feel, perfect for pacey winter reflections without feeling ponderous.
Have experienced some minor slackening of the steerer bearings though-easily
tackled with one’s trusty multi tool but might indicate the existing top
cap/spacer arrangement needs slight revision.
Taking a totally different
tack, while perfectly capable of being loquacious and building constructive
professional partnerships, my personality type is one of positive introversion.
Far from being constrained or shy, I am thoughtful and deploy these energies
constructively wherever possible and do not suffer fools gladly. No shortage of
graduates seemingly unable to string a coherent sentence together and I’m yet
to meet a construction worker who couldn’t box-though fail miserably when
pitted against an amateur fighter of similar weight.
Easy then, to appreciate
time-trialling’s allure over massed start racing. Having originally conceived
the Holdsworth with precisely this intention, I’ve been somewhat perturbed by
recent proposals from Britain’s national governing body (CTT) to outlaw everything
non-standard, this includes obsolete parts/frames(!) Presently it’s unclear quite
how these rules might be interpreted/ enforced but this doesn’t bode well for
our particular ambitions.
For me, TTs aren’t so much about ego or glory but
rather another constructive, disciplined outlet, converting negative energies
into something infinitely more empowering. Right, that Chinese titanium seatpost
has just arrived, heralding the Ilpompino’s imminent reconfiguration and the
Univega’s tyre swap while I’m at it.
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