Resilience & Roadax

 Resilience, the ability to keep going, regardless of what’s hurled our way, is one of those attributes that cycle, and motorcycle touring/racing nurtures. By the bucket load.

Battling an epic storm, lashing a busted rack back together, or remounting following a nasty spill. All part of the ride, develops character, coping mechanisms and self-knowledge. 

I don’t meditate in the commonly accepted sense, but as the miles and asphalt whizzes past, so ideas are explored, and solutions arrived at.

With the right kit, winter can be a very engaging, or miserable experience, depending on your chosen attire and bike prep. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/winter-wonderland-2-destination-spr  

420 miles in, my Univega’s chain still sports a decent layer of 5w/40.Aside from a gungy beard, cultivated during the first fortnight, it’s attracted surprisingly little contaminant.

I’m still bargaining on another 100 miles, before replenishment’s called for. At which point, I will switch over to the chainsaw oil. Unless of course, something bike-specific lands on our test bench.

Gritting lorries have been spotted, these past few nights, a clear indicator that winter means business. Take this opportunity to treat painted, plated and polished surfaces to a hard paste waxing.

Pressed for time?

Car Wash n’ wax shampoos will clean and impart a waxy barrier (remember to rinse salt spattered bikes with fresh, cold water first). Pro Green MX after shine 101 can also be used on a damp, freshly washed bike. Simply spray a light film and leave to cure. No buffing, or polishing required. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/pro-green-mx-triple-pack   

My elderly feline is also beginning to nuzzle these Schwalbe Winter but we’ll see… https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-winter-spiked-tyre     

With SP PD8 hub https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/halo-rim-and-shutter-dynohub-disc-b  receiving expert care, from their UK distributors, Ison Distribution www.ison-distribution.com I’ve popped the Halo SL9 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/halo-evura-shutter-precision-sl9-dy  in its place and putting the Passport Galvanised chain though its paces.

Unsurprisingly, given its half the KMC X1’s asking price, the Passport lacks the same level of refinement. However, this is only apparent when under load. Climbing out of the saddle, with my full 70 kilos dancing on the pedals, or accelerating hard. Crucially, it feels solid, during this, or transmission braking. 350 miles, or so, before I reach any solid, tangible conclusions, though.

Staying with wet wintry stuff, Steve has been putting Silkolene Premium Cycle Lube Wet  through its paces https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/silkolene-premium-cycle-lube-wet   

Winter and working bikes are a big draw for me. Machines built to be ridden, day in, day out, rain or shine. The sort of working bikes that you love but don’t induce palpitations, when locking up in the street.

Reynolds 520 frame tubing might not hold the wow factor of 853, or similar tubesets. However, its blend of performance, price and durability lends it perfectly to the design brief.

Up front, there’s a carbon fork (with alloy steerer) continuing the lightweight, compliant theme. Although, on steel framesets, a bent derailleur hanger is easily coaxed back into line with an alignment tool, Jeff has gone for a replaceable hanger. Another sensible move, given the design brief.  

Clearances for 700x42c tyres, cyclo cross/gravel bike genre geometry, braze-ons for four-point carriers, full length guards… Hydraulic discs, capable of stopping rider (and trailer/tagalong), on the proverbial sixpence. Oh, and a decent spread of gears to ensure you can winch up hill, bomb down dale and cruise with similar ease.

I think Jeff Rutland has cracked this design brief with the Goldhawk Roadax.   

I met Jeff in Spitalfields, a London district I once knew very well. I still retain a strong attachment to the East End, and its side streets. Superficially, these have been gentrified beyond all recognition. Three minutes away and things felt reassuringly familiar. Environments where the Roadax thrives. However, the versatility of its design also bodes well, far from the maddening crowd.

In a nutshell, I can’t wait to swing a leg over its top tube, and do some serious mileage.

Nirvana?

November arrived and once again, I spirited myself off to the midlands. I’ve always been wary of gentrification since intentionally, or otherwise, it can equate to socio-economic cleansing, changing communities forever.

Coventry has experienced decline harder than most-evident in children’s faces. Once hub of the transport industry and home to many household names, you can almost hear the Special’s seminal “Ghost town” playing a soft accompaniment as you pass the former car plants, derelict pubs and empty shops. Far from being disparaging, I am very fond of the city and its rich, colourful history.

On this occasion, we found ourselves in Fargo village, a creative space hosting galleries, studios and independent retailers. Parallels with London’s Spitalfields’ and Brick Lane districts are perhaps inevitable but it’s not trying to emulate my once beloved East-End and I found plenty of photographic inspiration.

Winter is literally around the next bend, although temperatures have been decidedly mild until now. Traditionally harsh, it remains richly rewarding so long as rider and machine(s) are appropriately dressed. 

Clothing needs to keep us dry, yet temperate and while reliability presides, bikes must be suitably inspiring to entice us outside. Indeed some pundits are prophesising harsh weather front originating in Russia will hit the UK around New Year, causing temperatures to plummet to record lows. Looks like spiked tyres will make reappear on the Univega afterall!    

http://www.pocketmags.com/viewmagazine.aspx?titleid=2582&title=Seven+Day+Cyclist

On a brighter note, we’re delighted to announce the arrival of “Seven Day Cyclist”-a new consumer focused magazine with a slightly different perspective. The first issue is available on pocketmags for less than your typical Latte’ and features a thorough road test of this Foffa Urban, these Axiom racks and a fair bit of grass roots touring too.