I’ve no doubt that cinematic institution will feature over
the festive telly season (if it hasn't already) but in this instance I’m referring to 125psi roaring
from my Ilpompino’s front tyre with frightening haste while piloting it through
a series of twisty, freezing, mulch strewn back roads at 23mph…Remaining
composed, I drew to a halt and concluded shouldering said fixer that final mile
home was best, especially since it’s 29mm rear was just succumbing to similar
fate.
Both sported Kevlar belts (1 and 2.5mm thick,
respectively) and were defeated by two shards of indicator lens burrowing
vindictively inside. Some will argue this stab vest staple is now looking
decidedly long in the tooth, superseded in technical terms by Aramid. However,
in my experience puncture resistance is by degrees-roll over that nine-inch
nail with your name etched into its head and belt composition becomes pretty
academic.
Wafer thin butyl certainly didn’t help, although
fortuitously their pinpricks were easily repaired from the comfort of one’s
kitchen. Rule of thumb suggests a new tube, the injured parties kept as spares.
Therefore, I introduced a 35mm Kenda thorn-resistant “builders hose” to the
29mm rear and a common or garden 25mm CST up front. Nonetheless, continuing the
thrifty theme, I’ve ordered industrial sized replenishments of patches and
solution.
Lo and behold, Moore Large (www.todayscyclist.co.uk) has
generously sent me these 32mm Kenda Bitumen reflective. 85psi and 60tpi iron-cap
casings indicate rugged, rather than racy persona, though hopefully this will
put paid to dead-of night deflation paranoia and see us cruising through spring
and a fair while beyond. However, credible comment requires a good few hundred
miles in varying conditions, so I’ll reserve judgement until January’s
swansong.
Christmas usually presents copious remit for serious
fettling and I’ve decided to resurrect some deep-section Miche hoops. Originally
shelved on account of recurrent pinch flatting, there’s no indication of
structural damage, thus I’m convinced that employing Effetto Mariposa rim tape (primarily intended to convert standard hp wire ons to tubeless service) will resolve this (as
it has on my Univega’s spare Weinnman/NX30 front hoop).
Said holidays are equally conducive to reflection
and moreover trying something different. It’d been a while since I’d seen some grass roots cyclo cross racing and Coventry Road Club’s 60th
annual meet at Kenilworth common proved too good an opportunity to pass
up. Ironically, the common is a nature reserve but CRC secured special dispensation, part of which requires riders compete on UCI legal 700c ‘cross mounts. http://www.uci.ch/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=NTI0MDY&LangId=1
Such stipulations don’t apply to the under 10/12s who are
welcome on mountain and even balance bikes. However, anyone inclined to sample
the grinding climbs and swooping technical descents beforehand risk having
their entries voided. While enjoying phenomenal continental popularity, it is
oft forgotten that ‘cross had a similar post war following here, riders attending
on old pared to the essentials touring bikes with hand-me-down components.
Fast forward several decades and a more glamorous, dare we
say, continental image, the inclusive, accessible spirit remains phenomenally
strong. First up came the seemingly irrepressible under 10’s whose competitive vigor was tempered with a refreshing sense of discipline and genuine
sportsmanship.
Despite relaxed rulings and the odd smattering of fancy
dress, most thundered past on junior ‘cross builds. Occasional, slow speed tumble
with terra firma aside, mishaps were thankfully conspicuous by their absence.
This theme remained consistent throughout the under 12’s event, entrants
negotiated the senior laps with commendable panache, although by this stage in the morning's proceedings, damp, nagging chill had permeated my exposed fingers,
inducing unwelcome camera shake.
Mick Ives provided commentary for the main event, which progressed at a frenetic pace, meticulous organisation/intelligent marshaling optimising rider and spectator safety. However, one rider sustained sufficiently serious injury to require air ambulance rescue, illustrating that even these standards of event management cannot entirely eradicate risk.
Hmm, I’m getting a sudden desire to organise an altogether different category of ‘cross racing, requiring entrants present on rigid mountain bikes with dropped bars…Fancy collaborating? Drop me a line: roadpathtoenlightenment@gmail.com
Hmm, I’m getting a sudden desire to organise an altogether different category of ‘cross racing, requiring entrants present on rigid mountain bikes with dropped bars…Fancy collaborating? Drop me a line: roadpathtoenlightenment@gmail.com
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