September is here Temperatures and leaves are beginning to drop, Eurobike is in full swing and other shows are limbering up. I'm getting as many miles in on the Holdsworth, before October, when I'll probably commit it to seasonal hibernation.
Given daylight seems to evaporate by 19.45, I've swapped over to the Ravemen LR1200 front lamp https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ravemen-pr-1200-dual-lens-front-lig. Not that the PR500 is woefully under powered per se. However,1200 makes life much easier, at 25mph plus. Besides, the brackets are mutually compatible. Would like to get my hands on its 1600lumen sibling, too...
Up the rear, I've been running Oxford Ultratorch R50 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-ultratorch-1 along with the Smart Gem Rear Light https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/smart-gem-rear-light . Enough for most contexts.
If I don't indulge these Holdsworth riding urges now, I'll only lament it, come the depths of December. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, and all that. 25mph along the back road, 35 on the descents-lovely. That said; I was surprised, when a fully faired recumbent blasted past, blowing me into the metaphorical weeds!
Had a few, more traditional e-bikes momentarily drawing alongside, only to discover they couldn't keep pace with me. Much to their annoyance, and my amusement. I have nothing against e-bikes, whatsoever. Motor doping isn't on, in a competitive context. However, the technology has made quantum leaps in recent years ( some of the race models are very attractive, almost indistinguishable from their exclusively human powered counterparts).
E-bikes open a new world for people who couldn't previously enjoy cycling and they have obvious applications for cargo bikes and similar beasts of burden. Though I have a working knowledge of the breed, we call upon specialist testers to review ours https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/haibike-sduro
The Holdsworth is minimalist, built for speed.
Aside from being seduced by its lively responsive persona, its where I zone in, and exorcise some demons. I have some profound regrets, and the decisions we make can have lasting, and serious consequences. I often hear the line "If your children have the right skill set, demanded by the economy, they will be fine".
A somewhat blinkered perspective. One that fails to take a wealth of variables into account. Switching from a manufacturing to service led economy, being a very obvious example. Yes, continuous development, coupled with transferable skills , offer solid foundation and a sporting chance of navigating fiscal storms.
However, getting into bed with the wrong people, romantically, or fiscally (and indeed, both) is an incredibly incendiary, toxic mixture. One that can test in obvious, and unexpected ways.
Good friendships, stoicism and resilience are pivotal.
With the seasonal transition in mid flow, little wonder that we're putting the finishing touches, to some late summer tests.. Several weeks and a good few hundred miles hence, I've reached my verdict on the Rock n' Roll Gold LV chain lube https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/rock-n-roll, which seems a very clean and capable "everyday" blend.
No compunction to switch the Holdsworth to its heavier, Extreme sibling but I have taken this route, with my fixed gear winter/trainer. Not that its a hardship, since this family of lube is mutually compatible. The solvent content will strip the existing formula and leave the Extreme/Gold/Absolute dry in its place. No call for chain baths, or similar, first. Do go the stripper route, with any other brands' mind and allow a few hours curing time, too.
For time being, the mercury's still hovering around the high teens, so I can get by with Bib shorts and short sleeve Jerseys. Thoughtfully, Bob Elliot& Co have sent me some Funkier 3/4 lengths. Timely too, since a much loved, and long serving set have gone decidedly sheer, around the buttocks.
