I
was meandering through Flickr the other evening when I happened upon a very
fetching blue steel Marin Pine Mountain complete with moustache bars.
Voluptuous; though not to extremes, its On-One Mungo stirred a yearning to
revise the Univega’s cockpit. Generally endeared to the existing WTB/Salsa configuration
that offers commendable rigidity and control in most contexts, said swooping
revision might reduce fatigue on longer runs.
Cursory
inspection suggests they may also demand a loftier, stubbier stem (35 or 40mm)
and longer cables, since controls sit further forward. Hence, contact point
popped in one’s virtual basket, I went foraging for a 35 degree 60cm version of
their 3D stem but to no avail. Still, something’s bound to materialise when I’m
least expecting it-watched inboxes and all that…
While
working on a winter-prep piece for a new, soon to launch publication, the
Teenage
Dream’s rear Miche dual pivot calliper developed an unexplained,
intermittent binding habit. Short, liberal blasts of maintenance spray to the
springs and inner housings failed to exorcise this demon, hence cable
replacement and Sugru detailing, which has silenced irksome bottle
chatter/tenure, especially across inclement surfaces. Incompetent, negligent people
are one of my greatest bugbears, not least when they’re operating one ton plus
of steel.
At
approximately 11am on Tuesday (15th July), I was negotiating a series of tight
bends on the return leg of an hours’ blast when a cobalt blue Audi (BF12 XCV)
swept past with inches to spare before wantonly swerving into our path. Water
off the proverbial duck’s back in many respects but still decidedly unsettling.
I am also fairly certain he was trying to provoke a response and that there was
“just cause” for this behaviour- been laid off/ passed over for promotion/lost
a bet/partner said “no”.
Two
riders travelling in the opposite direction confirmed he appeared to point the
vehicle squarely at them. Being wary of falling into the pop psychology trap,
anecdotally it appears an increasing minority of drivers just seem to have
psychotic tendencies and can largely behave as they please since road traffic
legislation is extremely lenient and the authorities reticent to act. (“He was
asking for it your honour, dressed in those tricolour (blue/white/black) bib
shorts”)
Studies
undertaken by the motor/cycling press some twenty odd years previously suggest
there is something in the psyche of some drivers that regards “enthusiast”
riders a challenge to be duelled with- put in their place perhaps?
You
Tube hosts countless encounters and I can fully appreciate why. Well
timed-explosive yells are an excellent release of tension, though red rag and
bull spring to mind when some wronged riders advise said behaviour is being
filmed and shortly uploaded to said medium. I miss not having a decent helmet
camera-not for policing others behaviours but capturing rides in their full
glory.
My
last purchase was decidedly disappointing, not in terms of image but rather,
build quality and manufacturer indifference. Essentially, I should’ve spent
more, rather than invest in a discontinued line. Go Pro’s Hero is very much a
benchmark and with good reason, though Garmin Virb Elite looks capable of
delivering comparable performance for a few dollars less. Impulse buying is
something I strive to avoid, although am apparently unable to resist silicone
blinkies.
Bought
these three from a Chinese supplier for £1.25 each, only to discover faulty
switches-powering down necessitates battery removal. Thankfully, this new range
of commuter lights from a well-known distributor based in derby has just
arrived. Now to find an illustrator for my children’s stories and some models
for another project…
