The continued heatwave brought with it, a palpable spike of aggression, on the roads. It is of course, the peak of CHAV mating season, characterised by older Vauxhall Corsa and similar hatchbacks.
Loud, badly fitted
(back-firing) exhausts mandatory, to attract a mate. Presumably, this, coupled
with the thumping base will induce the female’s rapid climax and validate the
male’s masculinity.
Those with more cash dress
them in badly fitted body kits and spoilers. Insurance is another optional extra,
since any unfortunate road user they hit, will be able to absorb the cost and
any subsequent rehabilitation.
However, while an easily
identifiable and somewhat predictable group, I’ve had several close encounters
with others-in the saddle and behind the wheel, this past week, or so.
It is tempting to suggest
legislating against callousness and stupidity. However, compulsory driving
assessments (not tests) may prove a more pragmatic solution.
However, to some extent, you
can only teach those, who are willing to learn. If the UK’s systems of
education, focused on attainment, rather than passing tests, maybe we’d see enlightenment.
On the flip side, this weather
has provided ample opportunity to fettle and put miles on my fair-weather
builds. My Holdsworth’s urban pursuit style bars, have been substituted for
these 46cm Soma Highway1 drops. Made from 6061 T6 aluminium alloy, these are a compact
design, which permit more time on the drops, and bring the brakes closer.
Other vital statistics include
75mm reach, 130mm drop… They’re also available in widths between 38 and 46cm
and black, or silver finish. An obvious choice for riders with small hands. Less,
for a rider, such as myself, with long, willowy digits. However, a deeper drop
would’ve positioned me uncomfortably low, given the stem height and head tube
length.
This also presented a few considerations,
brake-lever wise and provided an opportune moment to replace the cable. I had
pondered going the traditional drop and dummy lever route, thus giving me a
cruising position. Some older Tektro
(Campag patterns) were holidaying in the spares drawer. A Dirty Harry BMX
lever, mounted along the tops, was another option.
Ultimately, I plumped to keep
the ACOR reverse action TT lever. Nice, smooth action, low weight, sleek looks.
Upgrading to this Jagwire pro road cable https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/jagwire-pro-road-brake-kit
has also brought stopping up a notch or two. Good thing too, judging by several
heart in mouth, emergency stops, demanded during the first few miles, of our
first outing.
A bare chested, breast-beating
male, piloting a 2003 Corsa, being the main offender…
With the mercury cruising into
30 degrees, I’ve also been struggling to maintain 20mph and keep pace with the
increasingly maddening four wheeled crowd.
The Gods were merciful. I got
the miles in without further incident and found some, suitable photographic
locations for Wednesday’s shoot. (I spent several days, the previous week,
building a new, photographic website https://michael-stenning.format.com/#1
) I digress.
Back to the Highway 1 bars and
drops generally. These not only offer a lower crouch, for more spirited, faster
descending but also alternative hand positions, than the otherwise venerable BBB.
Thus far, the Soma seem reassuringly stiff. Even with my full weight, bearing
down, on the drops.
The finish is a mixed of
polished and shot-peened. Now, the latter serves two purposes. Cynics will
point out, that shot peening is a cheaper, less labour-intensive process than
polishing. However, it also serves a structural purpose. Those tiny dimples are
deployed to help counteract stress fractures, that would otherwise, lead to
structural fatigue over time.
These were dressed in some
used, though solid, Guee silicone bar wrap, previously adorning my Univega’s
moustache bars. I’d put these to one side, when some Lizard Skins DSP 2.5 bar
wrap arrived, for testing. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/lizard-skins-dsp
The Guee have a very different
texture to the red Genetic silicone bar wrap (link). This provides superior purchase
in wet/foul weather Despite the thinner density, I was still able to strike a
decent balance between coverage, bulk and damping.
In amongst all this excitement,
I also found myself in Skegness. One of those notorious places, I’d never been.
Aside from the usual sea-side attractions and stag night shenanigans, a
Sinclair C5 and very friendly pilot!
Now, the rains are back,
presenting an ideal opportunity to see how these Vee Tire Co City Cruz cope, on
waterlogged roads. https://www.facebook.com/Sevendaycyclistmagazine/videos/2030308033666784/
