The freelance world can be a rough one and I’ve taken on other roles, from previous careers as a financial anchor for many years. However, these have become progressively less palatable, to the point I’m fostering a genuine sense of resentment toward them. Role aside, I’ve had little or no connection to those I work alongside and am managed by either.
This tells me I need to change something and strive for better, to leave the high pressure, skilled but poorly rewarded work behind. However, as others in this position will attest, you must change, not simply walk away.
For previous generations and many years, there was a linear pattern. You could be assured of a comfortable life, even working a menial job. People didn’t need to adapt, or necessarily develop. Decent quality housing stock, solid public services, schools, and other societal fabrics meant a safety net, social mobility and some might even say cohesion. I would argue this, married to economic decline and neo-liberalist economics are prime culprits.
Some might also argue the pre-existing social contact, also taken for granted, is broken.
I was also slightly perturbed by Kona’s rapid disappearance from the Sea Otter Classic Show in California. Unclear what’s going on there but I for one, would be deeply saddened if the name were to disappear, or possibly worse, become a bargain basement brand, as happened to several British marques over the decades. I have since learned that the parent company has announced redundancies, and the brand is being sold on.
As for those British marques, I still have a fondness for the Barry Hoban range of road bikes, British Eagle, Carlton (although they were part of Raleigh by this point). Talking of Raleigh, I still have a fondness for their special products division and some fabulous tourers- The Randonneur and slightly lowlier Royale in particular.
A friend had the latter a 21.5-inch 531St tubed model back in 1989. It featured a bio pace crankset, four-point carrier, 700x28c Michelin tyres and Weinman Cantilevers – I rode it a few times as a teenager and found it fun and responsive.
Back to Kona (which he also had within his stable). These were groundbreaking machines in the late 80s and early 90s. Geometry still feels current, and the design perfectly suited to the British climate and conditions. Joe Murray’s influence made the Lava dome and Cinder Cone magnets for my teenage imagination and empty wallet. These had a splatter effect paint finish, which was supposedly designed so you could touch up any chips discretely, and have unique, custom paint. Marin’s Bear Valley was another, as was their decidedly out- of- my budget Team Titanium....Hmm.... Again, I love retro, providing there’s scope for modernisation and I’m paying fair, not fancy prices.
In the UK at least, it's not unusual for temperatures to dip around Easter, leading to April. However, I was somewhat surprised to find it sliding from 18 degrees to 3 degrees, prompting a switch back from the Espresso and Cycology jerseys to the Castelli Entrata Castelli Entrata Thermal Bib Knickers | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) Bib Knickers and occasionally, the Madison bib tights and jersey cum jacket with Cycology Summit Jersey as a base-layer (a role it performs very well).
The Cycology Baja Cap being slightly thicker and with a greater cotton content also retained some welcome warmth, although I stayed temperate wearing the Madison Roam Gloves Madison Roam Gloves | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). Talking of Cycology, here’s my review of the Cycology 8 Day Handlebar Tape Cycology 8 days Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).
Ursula’s front Continental Cross King had succumbed to the first flat, although I was relieved to find it the following morning, not mid ride. Time was short, so I plucked the fixed gear winter/trainer from its hanger and headed out for a faster-paced road blast.
Ursula’s flat boiled down to a tiny hole near the tube’s seam and easily repairable, though I couldn’t find anything lodged within the tyre casing. I fitted another Cross King to the Alfine wheel and replaced the tube in the Ryde/SP wheel, switching the over for the time being until I found opportunity to wash and clean the tyre thoroughly. I couldn’t find any holes or cuts I the casing, so nothing to plug with superglue.
The following day, my postman delivered this Cyc Plus AS2 Pro max mini, compressor- type inflator. This will deliver 120psi in around 7.5 seconds, which makes it a more practical option for road bikes and there’s an integral digital gauge, so you don’t ram this into a 26x2.0 maxing out at 65.
Setting the pressure before you get going also means it will automatically shut off upon reaching that pressure. They claim it will inflate 7 29x2.2 mtb tyres from a single, full charge, which is also impressive. Measuring 54x32x81mm It may be a little big for jersey pockets but fine for bar bags and similar luggage. Will be interesting to see how it compares with the Fumpa pump FUMPA PUMP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)
