Heavier Hearts & Lighter Tyres

 

Been a little “out of sorts” for a while now. There’s a lot to be grateful for and plenty of reasons to smile. Safe, secure home for me and the bikes, lots of lovely test kit to research, review and enjoy but the global and more localised instability can sometimes prove exhausting. Especially if you’re a deep thinker with a predisposition toward catastrophising.  Some carefully considered introspection is good for us-planning a course of action, ways forward etc. Sitting in a dark corner wringing our hands solves nothing.

Being Generation X, I am very grateful for the childhood and teenage years we had. Not least the freedom to explore and navigate the world, people and situations in real time. We made our own entertainment and for the most part, learned patience, and conflict resolution of sorts. Childhood without screens wasn't strictly true. Many an afternoon was spent in front of the hypnotic glow of a VDU, practising the basics of programming and playing the latest video game releases of that era.

Not forgetting television, and video.... The video nasty moral panic, championed by Mary Whitehouse and the Conservative government prompting the video recordings bill in 1983. One requiring all video recordings were certified in the same fashion as cinema and indeed, banned in many cases with widespread use of fines and prosecution.     

It's easy for people to punch down at younger generations, whether it be parenting or wider behaviours. Blaming children and parents for a screen addiction, anxiety and depression conveniently swerves around some inconvenient truths. These things are incredibly layered and complex. However, factors such as playing fields and other public spaces sold to developers, the very gradual collapse of communities and looser social cohesion are highly influential, at least here in the UK.

Governments are supposedly there to govern in the best interests of their citizens and protect the most vulnerable, but I've witnessed les e faire indifference for the most part-regardless of which administration assumes power. By the same token, a society's citizens must also shape change. The post war explosion in public services, housebuilding and other infrastructure projects was not attributable to a benevolent political class. 

Given the disruption to global supply chains resultant from the Strait of Hormuz, shortages are inevitable. At some point, governments will be forced to step in with some form of rationing. The question in my mind being will they intervene before the point of crisis or leave it until they have no option?

I often reach solutions to a wealth of things during a ride, whether tweaking a component-a recalcitrant rear mech, spongy brake, bothersome bracket, or a deeper, personal dilemma.  That said its crucial to be mindful of our emotional state and remain focused on the roads, trails, and potential hazards.

Obviously, the same goes when operating any other vehicle. That out of the way and having reached some firm conclusions regarding the Genetic Hi-Grip Handlebar Tape Genetic Hi-Grip Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing, I’m racking up some proper mixed terrain miles with Denise and the Continental Terra Trail.

Though typical of most gravel tyres when popped on the scales, their low rolling resistance, snappy, engaging persona gives them an edge over those with a knobbly profile when tackling metalled roads, dry to moist dirt roads and similar hardpack.

No cuts, or punctures to date and it’s worth noting I’m running ours with tubes-bog standard butyl and TPU to be precise. Tubeless has some definite advantages, most notably, the ability to run lower pressures for additional grip but I’ve found things decidedly gooey should you catch an aggressive thorn. Or your cat take exception to a certain brand of tyre…

Strange as that may sound, my dearly departed farm cat had a definite dislike of Panaracer. He’d induced a few flats by gnawing and clawing the sidewalls. Curiously this wasn’t the case with Schwalbe, Kenda, Continental and indeed, V-Tire Co. Seemed quite fond of the V-Tire Co Zilent TEST & REVIEW VEE TIRE CO ZILENT TYRES and Zilent II TESTED: VEE TIRE CO ZILENT MARK 2 TYRES (as was I).

Having packed the WP823 with Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing and whipping them aboard Muffin’s cranks, I headed out for a few 20-mile loops. I’m pleased to report the thinner viscosity grease was trafficked deep within the pedal’s inner sanctum, eliminating the squeak and any roughness.

This prompted me to port some Shimano XT over to Denise. I love the Shimano PD ES 600 SPD Shimano PD ES 600 SPD Pedal | cycling-not-racing  aside from the soft finish but fancied a change. I’ve also switched the Roswheel Lightweight Tour Rack Roswheel Lightweight Tour Rack | cycling-not-racing for the M-Part Summit M Part Summit Rear Rack | cycling-not-racing which is slightly broader, so doesn’t cause the Zefal Shield G50 Mudguards Zefal Shield G50 Mudguards | cycling-not-racing to tickle the rear tyre so readily. Right, I'll leave it here with my long term review of the Muc-Off Waterproof socks, since May is proving a little changeable weather-wise Muc-Off Waterproof Socks | cycling-not-racing 

Miles of Contemplation

 

January can feel eerily quiet, and an exceptionally long month. One that can lend itself to all sorts of introspection. Found myself looking at Chinese carbon forks again. Not sure what prompted this, but before that idea became the ONLY idea, I reminded myself that I had only recently acquired a decent Cro-Moly set, mount adaptors, and Topeak Versa Mount TOPEAK VERSAMOUNT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)...I also had a hunch I’ve some Axiom Axle Runners, which would’ve been a much better fit, aligning the stays in a much kinder, aesthetically pleasing way.  

Couldn’t find them for love nor money...Thankfully I spotted some stainless-steel Día Compe ENE Ciclo Fender Stay Adaptors, which work to the same principle.  One drilling slips over the quick release skewer, the mudguard (fender) stays bolt on to the eyelet ends.  

 

“All fit for purpose, so use what you already have” My inner dialog gently concluded. I was also rather pleased to receive Topeak Tailux 100, the 30’s bigger sibling, boasting a 100lumen daylight flash, 9 LEDs and four modes, so doesn’t feel overburdened and overly complex, in the way some models can.  The Lelumia Beast Light also arrived, so I wasted no time charging and mounting. 

There were other quiet temptations, searching for old machines/framesets I had lusted after in my late teens.  

A 1990 Orbit Frontier, being the most notable example. I still see the odd MTB frameset (and occasionally, complete bike) bouncing around the forums and auction sites, but it was the drop bar model that always fired my imagination.  

531 tube set, full complement of braze-ons, 700x38c tyres, full length guards, XT thumb shifters and an eclectic finishing kit. The sort typical of the then Dudley-based marque, during that era. Intrigue rather than intent and I certainly wouldn’t pay fancy prices for a frameset.  

Not a question of Nostalgia talking. Rather, the concept really fired my imagination-just like the Muddy Fox Trailblazer and Specialized Rock Combo.   

My fleet has always run in two parallels. Lightweight, pared to the essentials’ competition machines and practical, four seasons daily drivers-whether they be tourers, trainers, or mtb based hybrids.  

Hang on to a bike long enough, and it will become a custom machine, by default. Chains, tape, tyres, cassettes, rings etc all get replaced, and often upgraded. Ursula is a prime example of this phenomenon but the same goes for my fixed gear winter/trainer. Only the frame and two Aheadset spacers remain of the latter’s original, 2005 build.   

Extra UK, Topeak’s distributor also sent me an interesting set of Capgo cables. Aside from highly polished inners, the outers feature a “specially developed” PTFE grease, which promises reduced friction and improved longevity.  Timely, given Ursula’s planned disc upgrade.  

Retro is fun. However, Nostalgia is misguided, some might say delusional.  

Too many people in the UK seem to believe it has the world influence it did c. 1950. Then of course, there were those romanticizing austerity as being the return to a halcyon time of collectivism, “pulling together” and social cohesion.  

Taken to its logical conclusion, since the onset of this pandemic, I've been bombarded by references to a “blitz spirit” (Often by those born in the mid-1990s. Can’t see folks swapping their Audi Q8 for a single-cylinder Matchless & Sidecar outfit, somehow-even allowing for declining living standards and rising prices). Could the UK revisit petrol rationing, as it did between 1945 and 1957, then later, in the 1970s? It does seem to be lurching from one crisis to another and with no obvious end in sight.  

 A few months ago, it was looking less dystopian. The resurgence in cycling as a form of mainstream personal and goods transportation has been very heartening. Infrastructure nurturing this growth is lagging chronically behind, which is still discouraging people in cities and other urban areas. Contexts where e and cargo bikes come into their own.  

Having navigated the capital on bicycles and motorcycles for 12 years, I adapted to, rather than reveled in the traffic-light grand Prix, uninsured drivers, jaywalking pedestrians, and general chaos. Improved my handling skills and roadcraft no end and gifted me some interesting stories. Grassroots racing at Temple Mills Lane and Herne Hill Velodrome are also fond memories.   

Happy to engage with other riders, I like the freedom, prefer the solitude and ability to process my thoughts. Similar story with motorcycles. I am an introvert, which, contrary to popular misconception doesn’t mean I am shy, or socially awkward. Rather, I need time alone, to recharge, reflect and process.   

Many developed economies are beginning to “bounce back” albeit modestly, given the pandemic but the projection is looking as if the UK, specifically Britain, will continue to decline, due in part to a political administration that has no tangible economic plan.  

There is also a chronic shortage of certain skills, which much of the UK appears reluctant and/or unqualified to assume. Continuous development has been a buzzword for a couple of decades and various initiatives were established to improve the skills and life chances of those, often at the lower end of the socio-economic ladder. Well-intentioned, the target audiences either weren’t aware or weren’t able to access them.   

There is of course, a regional slant. Many vacancies are not found in “left behind” communities. Contexts where the infrastructure and indeed, geographical mobility is similarly disadvantaged.  

 

OK, so it’s not difficult to appreciate a longing for a warm, comfortable time, especially during a time of great uncertainty and economic turbulence. However, the rejection of qualified commentary and nuanced opinions in favour of simplistic, popularism is very worrying, on so many levels. However, as modern history confirms, people are very easily mobilised in certain directions.  

Back in the saddle, I’ve reached my conclusions regarding the Gecko Calf Length Waterproof Socks GECKO CALF LENGTH WATERPROOF SOCKS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

and the Oxford Venture Jacket Fierce red OXFORD VENTURE JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)