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.
