Hedging Bets

 

Yet again, the UK is being promised Iceman’s imminent return to the UK. I’m of the opinion that it's another distraction from the nation's bigger issues by client media. That said; complacency’s not my speed and now was the time to inspect the Ryde/Halo Spin Doctor’s punctured Schwalbe Winter (240).  

The hole proved elusive- it was a modest, yet surprisingly deep cut, reminiscent of that which struck their Marathon 365 cousins. It hadn’t pierced the breaker, so it was filled with superglue, and I put a fresh tube in, repairing and resigning the butyl to spare status. Easily fixed with the smallest patch.  

The Rema Tip Top TTO2 is basically my first choice- some including (Hutchinson and Cure C Cure) come close but can’t quite match the Rema Tip Top for reliability. Reflecting on things, the tube had succumbed to a graze, and I strongly suspect a premium grade wouldn’t and I'd just need to plug the tyre with glue.  

Staying with this wheelset, I’m really taken with the Halo Spin Doctor hub- its slick, refined and feels bulletproof. It runs on 6000 and 6200 bearings, rather than the ¼ inch balls employed by the Shimano XT and Deore units I’ve overhauled recently.  

Unlike the Halo Fixed-G, the Spin Doctor does not use circlips which require dedicated pliers when stripping and replacing the bearings. I’m nowhere near that stage where anything needs servicing but wanted to check before overhaul’s needed. 

I took that opportunity to strip the cassette of some accumulated lube, which would prove incompatible with the Weldtite   

I remain fond of the Axiom Monsoon Oceanwave City+ AXIOM OCEANWAVE CITY+ SEAT BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) but, even allowing for the integrated cargo net, the single compartment means accessing tools, tubes, and indeed, gloves, micro jackets et al. can be inconvenient.  

Talking of gloves, these Altura Night Vision Waterproof Gloves are still soldiering on 6 years and around 25,000 miles (about 40233.6 km) later, although they are starting to look just a little characterful in places. Their adjustable Velcro cuffs are starting to peel away and there’s a decent amount of patina but, they’ll accommodate liner gloves when it's bitterly cold, and though dexterity can’t match some, but I’m firmly attached to them.  

Come to think of it. I’ve always been fond of Altura’s range from clothing to luggage- well-designed and competitively priced, in my experience. These Carnac Reflective Crab Hand Winter Gloves landed on my desk. Reckoned waterproof, breathable, and only for single-digit rides. Crab/lobster types tend to be toasty but require removal for anything resembling a mechanical.  Calling their bluff, I headed out for a quick, breezy 20-miles, temperature around 8 degrees. They were warmer than I'd typically use in these temperatures but hardly clammy. Dexterity is also better than I've come to expect from the breed.  

Plenty of freezing fog around in the early hours and I’ve tended to default to three layers, rather than the long-sleeve base and jersey cum jacket layer atop.  

Commonly it’s an Altura Night Vision Long Sleeve Jersey, which has served me well since 2010, (or, if it's bitter, a thermal Funkier), and the Dhb Flashlight Force Waterproof Jacket. This is no longer made but has acres of retro-reflective detailing, waterproofing, and breathability ratings of 20,000 and 15,000, respectively. Well-positioned and sensibly sized pockets too- including a breast, two hips, and the classic, zippered poacher are another boon.

Obviously and unlike the Oxford Venture OXFORD VENTURE JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and 7Mesh Cypress Hybrid 7mesh Cypress Hybrid Cycling Jacket | Seven Day Cyclist jackets it’s not the sort you’d pack down into a jersey pocket. When it turns slightly milder and drier, I reach for a budget BTwin500 Warm Cycling Jacket or Pearson Red Adventure Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey. The Pearson is £150 and great for dry-ish weather and temperatures between 3 and 12 degrees. Pockets are plentiful.  

There are two on the breast, a poacher at the back with one intended for a mini/midi pump. On the other side, there’s a sturdy LED tab-another nice touch. It’s designed with gravel audiences in mind and reckoned capable of withstanding tangles with hawthorn bushes. These qualities lend it nicely to general off-season riding and touring.  

While hunting for packet fresh butyl (I didn’t want to raid the spare just in case I forgot to replenish it. Besides, it’s very much a get-you-home, not a premium tube). I found this 20-function Merida multi-tool, which I’ve packed, along with some other essentials into a zippered cage caddy for easy, mid-ride access. Functions include a comprehensive range of Allen Keys (2,2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10mm). Then, of course, there are the T10 and T25 Trox keys, a Philips screwdriver, a pad spreader, and spoke keys.  

No chain tool and I’m not keen on steel tyre levers. Hence two Pedro's joined the party. New tube too, while it crossed my mind. More interesting is the Presta/Schrader valve converter, which can be genuinely handy. You might have a trailer or tag along with a Schrader valve or find your Presta pump’s given out at the worst possible moment and there’s a garage air line. Elsewhere, I've returned to the Ravemen TR500 rear light Ravemen TR500 Rear Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  and finalised my thoughts regarding the See Sense Beam+ See Sense Beam+ Front Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)

Fastener Fatigue & Deeper Thoughts

 

I’ve been switching between the Thudbuster G4 and Redshift Shockstop Suspension Seatpost https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/redshift-shockstop-suspension-seatp and this has taken its toll on the Aeropost’s Klick Fix mount’s clips. Two have failed, one mid-ride but thankfully, the Altura Aeropost pack remained in alignment for the remaining 15miles. 

Luckily, I had a couple bouncing around the spares bin, but I’ve ordered some heavier duty versions, just in case.  I’ve gone for the slightly beefier SQR type, rather than a direct replacement, since the SQR are beefier, theoretically dispersing the load more effectively.   

I’ve also taken the precaution of binding some old inner tube around the post. This serves two purposes (a) means less torque applied to the clamp, reducing the likelihood of fatigue (b) in turn safeguards against slippage and further cosmetic scarring of the anodised finish.    

Back on my Univega and as predicted, I returned 400miles from the Weldtite TF2 Ultra Dry Chain Wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-ultra-dry-chain-wax by which point, I was on the cusp of that faint, metal on metal tinkling. I stripped the remnants using their Dirt Juice Boss Chain Cleaner https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/juice-lubes-dirt-juice-chain-cleane and introduced some of their Chain Juice Wax.   

This has been around for a while and has the advantage of a relatively swift curing period. Technically, you can scoot off after 5minutes but in practice, I’ve found applying two coats, (leaving ten minutes or so, in between) and leaving this to cure for several hours (ideally overnight) reaps a more substantial coating.  

Wax lubes take various forms. Some, including Squirt Long Lasting Dry Chain Lube https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/squirt-long-lasting-dry-chain-lube  and Smoove universal Chain Lube are closest to an emulsion https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/smoove-universal-chain-lube-summer-   

Other formulas melt, then get spread across the cassette, reclaimed by the chain in due course. The latter will return a surprisingly good mileage to application ratio, but evolve into a matted mess, which isn’t particularly pleasant to engage with, especially following a puncture, or similar road/trailside mechanical.  

This incarnation of the Chain Juice Wax seems of the very clean variety. The sort that collects minimal contaminant in the first instance but encourages any residual stuff to scab and fall away.   

I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by the versatility of this Merida Aero C bottle cage, which has also proved a competent host to some Thermos types, including this now-defunct (but very functional) Ibera thermos bottle that was designed around a dedicated resin cage. A surprisingly reliable system, per se but since I have no intention of slurping piping hot coffee at 20mph, this setup works just fine. 

The lockdown is essentially in name only now and I’m astounded by how quickly people have abolished any concept of social distancing, at least in private spaces. While mentally shedding the day’s stresses aboard my tubby tourer, I witnessed several social gatherings, including a 5year old’s birthday party.  

Now, I wouldn’t expect children to adhere to social distancing, especially in this setting. However, adults (clearly from different households) were flocked together, in pre-lockdown proximities. Not an isolated example either. However, the UK’s relaxation is politically/ideologically motivated.  

Balancing public health and economic activity was always going to be perilously difficult and with carefully monitored phased returns.  The present administration seems to be ignoring, or muting qualified scientific advice.  

I’ve pondered this during early morning lockdown rides and am quietly convinced they are pursuing “herd immunity” I.e. they want people to become infected (think chickenpox parties, on a grand scale), so in turn, people will supposedly become immune to it. Widely discredited as a dangerous gamble, some figures suggest up to 40% of the population could in fact, perish.