Things to be thankful for and a taste of what might be to come, here in the UK… The present administration has been romanticised the 70’s era of three-day weeks, blackouts and similar indignities.
Then, of course, there is uncertainty around oil and gas supplies, given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A situation that was inevitable, given Putin’s posturing and rhetoric but felt like a nightmarish simulation, rather than reality from this corner of the world. Speculation is a very dangerous thing and truth is the first casualty of war.
The figures for casualties have differed wildly. However, if Vladimir Putin is genuinely looking to recreate the Soviet Union, I believe the military will head for Poland, rather than neighbouring Moldova or Romania. Once of course, Ukraine and its infrastructure has been obliterated.
Regardless of route, this has grave humanitarian implications-civilian casualties, people left homeless and displaced. History repeats itself.
This is a conflict I believe will last many years and may well prove to be another Afghanistan for Russia. Putin may have under-estimated Ukraine, in a similar fashion.
Sanctions are on everyone’s lips, but for some, its little more than lip service.
If Putin cut Europe’s supply of oil and gas, this will have some very real implications for Europe and the UK. However, this would leave Russia with the Chinese market and the Chinese could dictate prices on their terms and a take or leave basis. What is clear is that we have a humanitarian crisis, and some nations are stepping in to help, others are turning their backs.
Anyhow, during this phase, I sketched out a plan of action re Ursula’s front end. Continuing my recent bite-sized theme, I decided I’d switch to the Project 2, lose the existing cable hanger and Ahead spacers for thinner fare, and stick with cantilevers. That was the theory, and it was materialising in practice too, until I discovered the Project two has forward facing dropouts, which would’ve precluded guard fitment, even with the adaptors.
Then, to compound matters, the TRP calliper was sloppy- the mount’s threads were virtually bare-the perils of buying used and, moreover, blind. Lesson learned. Back to the Univega’s triple butted originals. Presented an ideal opportunity to pack the Stronglight Aheadset with lashings of Peaty’s Assembly grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). The name might imply it’s for contact points (carbon aside) but is a smooth, middleweight blend well suited to bearing surfaces too. Attempting to rescue something from the slightly abortive mission, I switched to the Shimano CX50 cantilevers, which in turn presented the opportunity to test some Capgo brake cables.
The cables are stainless steel and the outer wires impregnated with PTFE to minimise friction. I don’t like the Shimano straddle wire system, so reclaimed the Tektro cable hanger and Transfil straddle wire, resulting in precisely the modulation and feel I like from a front stopper.
The fixed gear winter trainer is also getting some decent miles in-nimble backroad blasting now the front stopper is behaving exactly as it should. I’ve raised the saddle by a centimetre and snugged tight with this M System Torque wrench.
By the roadside multi-tools are fine but these days components are built to very tight tolerances, so torque wrenches are up there with track pumps. I also have some interesting larger section 700c rubber headed my way. I’ll leave you with my review of the Torque Covert 7 Crank Multi Tool TORQUE COVERT 7 CRANK MULTI TOOL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)
