Since my last entry, I’ve secured another temp gig and therefore some fiscal liquidity, plugging the gaps
between retainers and other, less consistent editorial payments. Managing
sheltered housing schemes is familiar territory for me and not unpleasant work,
although nowadays I associate it with the classic, slightly kitsch but
brilliant piece of social commentary that is “Pearls Café’”.
For the uninitiated, it’s an old
Specials’ track dating back to 1980, seemingly about a deranged old lady in a
café, lamenting her life. However, the final verse the narrator suddenly has an
epiphany; that his present girlfriend is cold, shallow and unfeeling “
When I first met you, I really thought you were a wet dream come true. Now I
know that you don’t care about somebody else’s nightmare”.
Having lured Joshua back to his BMX
courtesy of this spatter deflecting SKS X blade clip on mudguard, there’s been
a resurrection of competitive ambition on his part, expressing a desire to try
racing first hand and wanting to accompany me on evening meanders. Given
woefully inadequate standards of driver etiquette/skill seem supplanted by ever
greater aggression, I’m of the opinion that cross country mountain biking is
the most obvious and accessible outlet, with a view to cyclo cross when he’s
twelve or thirteen and suitably prepared for long, steady road outings.
The nice folk at Zyro (www.zyro.co.uk) dropped Minoura’s
VC100 bracket over for me to play with. Beautifully made from CNC machined,
silver anodised aluminium, it essentially converts the bike to a mobile tripod
and camera spec allowing; ensures capture of impressive video footage-whether
carving through deserted back roads or hustling through congested city centres.
This is largely attributable to a combination of rigidity and broad, shock
absorbing rubberised cork platform.
Obviously, it cannot compete with the
180degre peripheral capture of a helmet cam and 350g magnesium bodied super
zoom compacts are pretty much its limit. Some of you will baulk at fifteen quid
but while the backyard specials brewed using an old reflector bracket and
similar oddments from the spares box are phenomenally satisfying to make,
should it fail at tour typical speeds, cameras run the risk of becoming bin
fodder.
Spring may well be in full bloom but
manufacturers are keen to showcase their new season’s lighting and I require
little persuasion to try them Silva, a marque more commonly associated with
compasses, torches and similar generic outdoor apparel have been expanding
their bike range.
In stark contrast to their road
specific see with Pave’ comes this quirky looking “Commute”, which given
cursory inspection looks indistinguishable from a sea of similarly competent
contingency units, perfect for extended summer playtimes on the best bike or as
dynamo companion/backup.
On paper 45 lumens lags behind the
latest generation of bobby dodgers but the collimator lens delivers a very pure
beam, devoid of halos with reassuring peripheral prowess. Tool-free silicone
wrap over mounts are a welcome revolution, offering secure purchase, yet
slipping off in seconds when locking in the street. This one is unremarkable
other than to say it sweeps anaconda fashion around the full panacea of
handlebar diameters without indigestion.
Reassuringly stout composites bode well
for longevity, shrugging at the inevitable everyday carelessness and Silva
boast that it’s unaffected by temperatures as low as minus 20. A rubberised,
centre mounted switch is easily operated in gloved hands and on the fly,
although not the sort prone to accidentally engage when hibernating in jersey
pockets/panniers. USB rechargeable li-on cells have almost become default but
while in many respects a blessing, AAA are readily available pretty much
anywhere and offer tour practical run times-I’ve managed eighteen odd (max) and
an Uber frugal ninety eight in flashing using premium grades. All the more
impressive since it gives change from £20. www.silva.se.
Another unexpected pleasure is this
beautifully crafted saddlebag complete with Camera insert made by Emily O’
Brien. Hailing from Medford Massachusetts, she’s a mile munching, limerick
loving music teacher and lifelong fettler who manufactures a handmade range of
luggage/accessories capable of passing her own rigorous testing regime. Initial
impressions are extremely favourable and its one of the most exciting bits of
luggage I’ve had the privilege of testing to date. http://www.dillpicklegear.com/
