Pumps, Photography & Punjabi

An arsenal of high pressure road and mtb derived “mini” pumps graced Seven day Cyclists’ test bench this week, so we’ll be looking at the genres and essentially putting four comparable models through their paces over the next month, or as long as it takes to reach some firm conclusions about their performance.

Falling prices has meant Co2 cartridges have crossed over from racing and become popular quick fixes for training and generic/club riding. Consequently, many riders now regard the pump as an emergency item and carry the smallest possible. The logic’s not difficult to fault, assuming of course you’re not particularly puncture prone.

However, while I too carry a Co2 system pretty much everywhere, I also like a pump that will genuinely achieve at least 60psi (mtb slick) and 95-100 in a narrow section 700x23/25 road tyre-without taking eons about it, or my biceps leaden with lactic acid. 

The difference between micro/mini/midi pump also seem to vary between manufacturers. For road, “sawn off” versions of popular frame-fit classics such as this now discontinued Zefal HPX mini are my first choices. Small enough to ride unobtrusively alongside the down tube, there’s adequate length for dignified resurrection of flaccid tyres to 100psi plus.

Light years away from those ghastly giveaways that were arguably better than nothing miles from home on a cold and rainy night but I had the pistons bend irreparably under the strain when inching past a paltry 60psi. The only down side to longer models is storing them when parking in the street along with lights, computers and other lovely gizmos.

Elsewhere, Chicken cycles (www.chickencyclekit.co.uk) have sent me these lovely Flinger disc compatible stays, meaning the neighbours will (hopefully) be spared agricultural utterances and I the effort of contorting others to fit. 

Unexpected sponginess had crept into the Jagwire/Avid system, spoiling that stop on a sixpence dependability. Introducing a different cable ferrule restored fierce disc typical bite-just the way I like it. 

Since opportunity presented, I also popped a rubberised cuff to the outer. Not that the housing was making any inroads into the clear lacquer topcoat but prevention is so much more convenient than cure.

I’ve often talked about the importance of continuous development and transferable skills (Though frankly these have been buzzwords within human resource management for three decades) in a rapidly changing economy.

The past eighteen months has seen steady evolution of my photographic port-folio. Products and technical work remain very close to my heart but demand has been tailing off in recent years as more firms streamline their budgets and scoop things in house.

Nonetheless, word of mouth and nerves of steel have resulted in much broader horizons, including social/portraiture. Traditional wedding photography is another genre that has become increasingly competitive, almost to the point of saturation. It’s not something to be dabbled with either.

I’ve heard from some devastated couples who entrusted theirs to “arty” friends with disastrous consequences. Emerging interest from NRI (Non Resident Indian)  audiences is certainly tempting me along that particular niche and I’m increasingly invited to capture other significant social events.

Eager to capitalise upon this, I’ve built a dedicated website to attract further business in these and other fields. While the importance of pushing oneself should never be underestimated, the “Jack of all trades, master of none” tag must be avoided at all costs, hence my specialisms.

The leap between this and learning Punjabi is not a difficult one. Indeed, I am also confident on current projections that India and Brazil will overtake China as a global economic powerhouse, meaning that command of Punjabi and possibly Portuguese will become increasingly desirable. Then of course, there’s the simple satisfaction gained from learning a new skill.    

Over the past week or so, I’ve had several enquiries from aspiring models, although have been unable to accommodate them for a variety of reasons.Sometimes this has been down to availability, others expectation i.e. that I would be willing to work for free AND surrender the images to them for commercial purposes.

There has been some asking about glamour, which is not a particular field I wish to be associated with. Not so fine art and implied nudity, which for me; are an interesting marriage of erotica, fun and imagination.     www.stenningphotographic.com