700x28c

 The Tyre Gods seem to be deciding 700x28c my new default for road-biased riding. These Specialized Road Sport Tyres have just landed at my door. They’re cheaper than the CST, so also sparked my curiosity. Ours are the 28mm but they’re also available in 700x 24, 26c, 700x32c, 35c, and 27x 1 ¼. Unlike the CST, they’re a wire bead, which adds a few grams. They feature a bead-to-bead puncture repelling belt and promise increased speed, grip and durability, so it’ll be interesting to see how they behave in the real world and obviously, compare with the CST. 

Temperatures are still seasonally high, but the days are getting shorter, so my thoughts are increasingly turning to ¾ length bib longs, arm warmers, caps and other tuneable attire. Summer and depths of winter aside, I default to ¾ lengths on account of their versatility, even off-road, which has induced playful derision from some sections of the mtb community. I can live with that. I’m also a major fan of Decathlon’s in house clothing ranges. I’ve been sent some Triban Men's Road Cycling Bib Tights RC500, which are in fact, ¾ lengths!  

No problem for me. I like ¾ lengths. Primarily because they bridge the gap when it’s too cool for shorts and too mild for full-length tights. Between 5 and 15 degrees (c), loosely speaking. At the lower end of this temperature scale, I pair them with calf-length socks-sometimes waterproof and these FLR Defender MTB Thermal Dry S-Tex Boots FLR DEFENDER MTB DRY BOOT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

I remain a big fan of these Primal Dawn Men’s Bib Knickers TEST & REVIEW: PRIMAL DAWN MEN'S BIB KNICKERS (sevendaycyclist.com) which are still going strong. Fond of these Funkier FUNKIER RIDE FLO MEN'S 3/4 BIB TIGHTS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) too.   

Unless it’s raining dogs, I default to lightweight, packable caps such as this Buff BUFF PACK BIKE CAP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and several seasons along, I’m still seriously attached to these Specialized full finger gloves, although it's temperate enough for mitts and likely to remain so, for some time. I also err towards photochromic (light-sensitive) lenses, which adjust to suit changing sunlight.  

However, as time goes on, I’m more inclined towards amber/yellow lenses, since they enhance vision on cloudy days, and crucially, low light. Some say they help improve mood, during the darker months and I’m inclined to agree. These Salice 026 RW glasses Salice 026 RW Glasses | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) have become my defaults during pre-dawn dashes.     

  

Traditionally Autumn (The fall for those of you reading this in the US) is my favourite season given the bold, changing colours. I also associate it with a time of learning- having commenced a degree in the autumn of 1992. I’ve always liked learning (although admittedly, needed to “cool my brain down” following 5 years post-secondary education and coasted through some entry-level jobs. Constructive dossing, you might say.)  

Anyhow, I’d suddenly found myself curious about CNC machining. Training to a commercial standard takes around three years (although as with many skilled professions, mastery takes a lifetime, since you never cease learning and developing skills and expertise).  

However, some sources suggest using CAD software, someone can learn the basics in a few weeks. Now, given the UK’s trajectory, I’m not looking at this as a commercial/vocational outlet but rather, wondering if I can develop sufficient skill, if I can make components and other things-not necessarily bicycle/related but as means of subverting supply chain issues and shortages in a wider context...      

Autumn is also a time when I stock check, since chains, cables, pads and similar take a spanking come winter. I’m pleasantly surprised to see Ursula’s KMC chain is still going strong 1700 miles down the line. Something I attribute to a very dry spring/summer and lighter/drier lubes.  

Nonetheless, with global supply issues and BREXIT meddling, I’ve been inclined to keep a closer eye and stock up on consumables, buying multiples, while prices are still favourable.  There’s a limit to these things of course, but fact remains, I’m going to get through them, so best to buy while prices are favourable. This has even extended to maintenance sprays-which I have bought directly from factories.  

There are a wealth of things government could implement to mitigate shortages and protect its citizens, but the UK’s present administration seems determined to dogmatically follow a hands-off ideology. One which will have greatest impact upon society’s most vulnerable and is leaving other countries completely bewildered and the nation a laughingstock. The aspiring prime minister (presently foreign secretary) has been talking in terms of pressing nuclear buttons and seems hell-bent on destroying what remains of the UK’s credibility, its health service and economy...

Fast Tangos & Old Faithfuls

 I wanted to get a few last rides in on the Holdsworth and Teenage Dream. Having played around with spacers, I found myself giving the bike a thorough washing and hard paste waxing. This led to me switching its tired looking Guee Silicone bar wrap for the T-One Mr Fantastic Handlebar Tape T-ONE MR FANTASTIC HANDLEBAR TAPE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) Given my 5am riding schedule, I had rummage around the lighting box and found this Cat-Eye Volt 1700.  

The full 1700 is arguably overkill, even for these backroads (although nice to have, especially when things turn misty) and I would’ve preferred a 1100lumen setting to staircase down to. However, it goes from 1700 to 500lumen, which is too steep a drop for navigating.  

Up the rear, I’ve gone for this Moon Shield Rear Light, which is another very potent model and one that I’m genuinely very fond of. During the cleaning phase, I stripped the existing wax lube and though tempted to go the Muc Off Ludicrous AF route, opted for a light helping of Peaty’s Link Lube Premium All-Weather PEATY'S LINK LUBE PREMIUM ALL WEATHER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

After some deliberation, rather than switch the Cat-Eye between bikes, I decided to partner the Ravemen CR600 to its LR500S RAVEMEN LR500S FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) cousin, generating 1100 lumens all told. 

The latter’s beam quality is far mightier than the 500lumens might imply, too.  To my surprise, Ursula’s shifting had gone off the boil again, particularly midway across the cassette. Despite close, methodical scrutiny and the root cause elusive but pruning the chain by two links and replacing the shift cable proved the cure.  

Disappointing given I’d only had eight weeks from that inner cable. I ordered a few replacements since these are staples and though there’s never a good time for failure, it usually strikes at the least opportune moment.  

Keeping them clean and lightly lubed with GT85GT85 ALL PURPOSE LUBRICANT (sevendaycyclist.com), or similar maintenance spray certainly helps-particularly through winter but the gritty, grotty weather will still shorten their life. Heavy duty PTFE sprays have their merits but if you must go this route, apply once. Repeated applications will slowly result in a PTFE “fatberg”.   

Inner wires are cheap to replace, so change a daily driver’s seasonally and buy stainless where you can. 

It’s now palpably colder and darker in the mornings- its struggling to double figures, so I’ve switched to the ¾ length bibs and long sleeve jerseys. Middleweight fare for now, and I’m still defaulting to the cheap but very cheerful Passport Crochet Back Cycling MittsTEST & REVIEW: PASSPORT CROCHET BACK CYCLING MITTS (sevendaycyclist.com) That said; stronger winds and falling leaves are nudging me to dig out lightweight full-finger gloves, such as these Specialized, or the Oxford North Shore Gloves OXFORD NORTH SHORE GLOVES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

Not to mention a thicker, water-resistant cap, I’m still a fan of Prendas Ciclismo  Lisboa Waterproof Cycling Cap PRENDAS CICLISMO LISBOA WATERPROOF CAP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

While rooting through some light boxes, trying to locate a high-power compact light for the Teenage Dream, I unearthed this now discontinued Xeccon Mars 60 COB Rear Light TESTED: XECCON MARS 60 COB REAR LIGHT (sevendaycyclist.com) A light that might be a little quirky but one I’m still very endeared to .

Nite Rider Solas 30 Rear Light is another rear light falling into this category and mine’s still going strong over five years later.    Talking of which, we’re big fans of E-bikes. To clarify, they may not be my passion, let alone my area of expertise but there’s a lot to like. Contemporary machines making cycling accessible to new audiences.  

Electric-assist cargo bikes are increasingly a viable alternative to small vans, especially in congested town and city centres. Commuting on an e-bike can be more practical than a traditional bicycle, dressed in formal office, or more casual threads, running utility and bike-as-car errands.  

E-assist also ensures older, or more vulnerable riders can enjoy longer distance rides, with a little assistance, as and if required. Steve and his family has enjoyed their time with this model FREEDOM BY DESIGN | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)