STEPPING UP

While politicians peddle their very stylised, polished and heavily choreographed campaigns in an attempt to woo a cynical electorate; we’re busily evaluating the options for everyday riding and putting several walk-able step-in systems through their paces.   

Various manufacturers/distributors have been extremely forthcoming but anything sent via a certain logistics company is guaranteed not to arrive. This appears attributable to a new breed of “lifestyle” parcel sorter/courier, seemingly supplementing theirs by “intercepting” packages. They even sign for them on your behalf, so show up as delivered on the tracking system (!)

In common with other kinds of pilfering, this behaviour is justified on the twisted logic of entitlement “it’s insured; so no victim”. My heart sank when I saw a large online retailer was sending my camera equipment via this firm, though thankfully our local postie arrived clutching it under his arm. Talking of which, I must pursue ebay purchases that haven’t materialised…

Other couriers have delivered these rather striking dual sided Genetic and composite bodied Time ATAC. Testing aside; the simplest approach is to choose a particular system and adopt it throughout your bikes. 

Designs may be different, reflecting riding purposes/genres and require at least two pairs of shoes-one specialist, the other for everyday. However, it’s one less distraction when getting ride-ready.  

Twenty years back, Shimano and Look were increasingly becoming the dominant systems, though several manufacturers were still offering their own unique cleat patterns. I snapped up a couple for silly money and enjoyed their build quality but replacement parts; cleats in particular were rare as the proverbial rocking horse dropping.  

Look’s ARC and Keo patterns were once my road bike default thanks to copious float and support. However, even the Holdsworth has now switched to SPDR for sheer convenience. Something of a homage fetishist, I’ve acquired some Wellgo RC713-cosmetically identical to Btwin’s now discontinued “Automatic Touring Pedal”; right down to their inscriptions.

I suspect they are genuinely identical, since VP and Wellgo supply a wealth of other brands too. Their magnesium bodied MG8 were more intriguing but unavailable at the time. Small surface areas work best with uber-stiff soles and offer improved ground clearance, which comes in particularly handy on a fixed. However, I find broader platforms more comfortable given 60miles or so’s steady slog.

Elsewhere, Mr Gandolfi’s widow has been in touch, thanking me for my tasteful photographic coverage of her late husband’s funeral in January. It was an unusual request and a tricky assignment to conduct-the last thing I wanted was to intrude upon mourner’s grief, or appear ghoulish; hence my use of a CSC with 50-200mm 5.6 lens.

I also found time to visit Rutland Waters in Leicestershire. We’d gone to explore the viability of potential venues for another significant occasion-one was ideal but thwarted by the other’s mediocrity. However, it boasts a superb, traffic-free 25mile circuit, where cameloids, walkers and riders co-exist harmoniously.

This reignited an interest in mtb derived production tandems. Hmm, I’m thinking along the lines of a low mileage mid 90s Dawes Kickback II would be ideal but there’s a serious storage issue. Something with S&S couplings would be better but hiring one as- and- when is the most practical solution for now.

Back down south, I tackled the Ka’s other sill and dropped in on Col Velo collective at the Church St HQ. Col Velo is a small but expanding club founded by Rob Harwood and Will Morgan in October 2014. Their ethos is upon inclusivity-people bonding over their love of cycling, bikes, coffee and other stuff. Regular rides through the still relatively picturesque North Essex/Anglia regions are underpinned by a strict no-drop policy.

Velo Café is run by Rich, an extremely experienced mechanic who wields spanners for recycle during the week. Classic frames adorn walls and ceilings and there’s even a beautiful, unrestored road/path bike with period components in the workshop window. The traditions of eclectic machines and members means there’s plenty on offer, assuming you didn’t harbour racing pretentions.