Road to Christmas Recovery

I was suddenly struck by the seemingly inevitable and unavoidable seasonal Lurgi. One that left me bedridden for the best part of two days and asleep for 18 hours straight. I’d struggled to remain alert for 6 hours and managed 75% of a draft alongside some other generic admin. Sabre Tooth Man-Flu is a force to be reckoned with.  

Retrospectively I’d felt it charging full force on Sunday when I was switching wheels and giving the fixed gear winter/trainer a seriously good sudsy bucket clean. Neighbour had struck up conversation, while affixing Christmas lights to their wooden fascia and I was struggling to maintain a decent tempo of routine work and response.  

Night terrors are another obvious sign for me. There are people my rational mind knows I could not help and for the most part, their deaths were beyond my control, but the world and human experience are not necessarily rational. Sometimes, during these nightmares, I will meet the figures at the end of a long tunnel. Other times, their decomposing entities can be sat at the foot of my bed, seemingly begging my attention. Sometimes they are benevolent and kind, other times vengeful and malevolent. Not where we’ve been and done but what we do with these experiences, I guess.  

Two days later and I was back in the saddle- the fixed gear winter/trainer’s to be precise. This proved a little “previous” and I was struggling to move. For context, I slept 18 hours, during the first phase of this germ fest and was fooled into feeling better. Predictably in retrospect, I succumbed to a second helping. One synonymous with sinus headaches and similar pain. I ultimately reached for the paracetamol and lemon mix, which seemed to loosen the mucus floodgates and the intense pressure that dogged my ability to function. Sometimes enforced rest is what’s needed.  

I’m sticking with the Halo Aerotrack wheel and 15-tooth Ti sprocket, which with the 35mm CST Expedium and 42 tooth 165mm Genetic Tibia cranks translates as 76.1-inch gear. Some would suggest a little lower-72 maybe, but in practice, I’m not spinning out, or indeed, struggling to winch myself up the climbs.  

Saddleback, Feedback Sports UK importer graciously sent me the brands’ Reflex Torque Wrench. Ita a mini torque wrench, designed for mid-ride adjustments-adjusting saddle tight, tightening a slipping stem bolt etc. 5nm is the maximum, too low for things like Shimano Hollowtech II cranks, so you’ll still want to carry a traditional multi-tool (although you should anyhow, since torque wrenches are only designed for assembly).  

Prevents unintentional damage of carbon fibre components and indeed, aluminium alloy components. Exceed the 5nm recommended on a seat collar bolt at your peril- I’ve seen the bolts snap/ shear clean off. Not what you’d want 20 miles from base.       Last bucket wash, I’d gone for a proper drivetrain clean and opted for the Zefal Extra Wet Nano Ceramic Chain Lube ZEFAL EXTRA WET NANO CERAMIC CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  (a) It was to hand (b) I’ve found it stays put and requires negligible time to cure.  

Ursula’s sticking with the Silca Secret Formula Chain Lube. Was relieved to get a call from Mick Madgett saying he’d replaced the Halo Spin Doctor’s Freehub. Upon collection, conversation turned to the hub’s internal composition and specialist tooling e.g. circlips.  

Apparently not. However, it took two of them to release the defunct freehub-knew there was a reason I outsourced that job! I put a lick of Wolf Tooth Grease on the free hub and cassette lockring and spun everything back together- tyre too. Will give the XT/Ryde pairing a few runs for the time being. They’ve also got the spikes on, which may come in handy, depending how conditions turn in the coming weeks.  

Regardless of how wintry the lanes have been, the Shimano MW501 have kept my feet dry and very temperate, the sole offering plenty of grip on slippery stuff and generally improving my riding experience through these dark December days.  

The heel cup and nimbler feel means they’re quickly becoming my favourites. I was very endeared to a pair of Lake, which lasted many years. However, the Shimano’s fit feels closer to that of a cyclocross/gravel shoe than a traditional mtb bootie, which for me, is more agreeable.  

The Madison Roam 2 jacket is also proving a well-conceived garment for not a lot of money. Decent fit, sensible pockets, useable hood and Velcro cuffs for a convincing seal against the elements. I prefer removable hoods but thus far, the Roam’s hasn’t made a nuisance of itself, when not required. On that note, I’ll leave you with an overview of clothing for the cooler, wetter months...WINTER WONDERLAND TWO (sevendaycyclist.com)  

 

Up n’ Down. Like the Weather

 

 

The ice took longer to materialise but a loss of traction while grinding up a climb on the fixed signalled spikes. It was the rear tyre, not the front thankfully and being fixed, the added feedback meant I could reclaim control without going rubber-up or filling my bib longs.  I’d reached for the fixed since Ursula’s rear Ice Spiker Pro was mysteriously flaccid. Something I traced to a pinched tube. Easily sorted- swap to a fresh tube and patch the pin prick.  

Then order a few fresh tubes...I'd seen some Bontrager going for £3 apiece, so swooped and bought 4. I’d also broken the last of my long-handled Lifeline tyre levers. Before we get too critical, after a decade or so’s faithful service, they hardly owed me anything. The ice relented within a matter of days, roads reverting to a wet, mulchy state, so I switched back to the fixed.  

Third outing and I was surprised to find the CST Expedium 6 CST Xpedium Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) succumbed to something sharp. Thankfully a tiny pinprick meant it was a very slow flat and only became tangible when I’d returned.  Cue a switch to the Halo Aerotrack wheel (also shod with a CST Expedium), a tube switch for the Mavic/Halo and a patch for the wounded tube. Off the list, no time the present and all that...Glad I replenished my supply of vulcanising solution and patches.  Cue a sudden interest in these Pirelli Angel DT Urban.   

These, as the name implies are intended to withstand the cut n’ thrust of urban riding. There is a wealth of sizes but given the fixed’s clearances, I’ve gone for the 32mm. Then of course, I was intrigued by how well the 5mm Hyperbelt would fare against flats, compared to that of the Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus KENDA KWICK JOURNEY TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  not forgetting the CST. I decided I'd switch the fixed over to its Halo White Line/ Shutter Precision PD8 wheel HALO CLASSIC RIM & SHUTTER PRECISION DYNOHUB DISC WHEEL BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) and give the SL9 a break 

I was even more surprised to discover the Halo Spin Doctor’s hub- freehub mechanism getting the grumbles. It had lost the familiar “tick” and was, well, not freewheeling properly. I initially thought a gummed up rear mech might be the culprit but despite some gloopy mulch, it was performing normally...One thing led to another, and I found myself stripping the Ryde/XT hub, repacking the latter with some Juice Lubes Bearing Juice.  

Aside from being tenacious, it holds bearings securely in the races- no issues with them falling out when sliding the axle through. I decided, given deadlines and similarly pressing stuff, to hand the Spin Doctor over to Mick Madgett and have him tweak the spoke tension, while it's there. Everything seemed in good health otherwise.

Presented an opportunity to give Ursula another deep clean-paying particular attention to the mechs, which are right in filth’s firing line. Having tickled these, chain and cassette clean, I replenished the Silca Secret Formula Chain Lube, which continues to impress with its silence, low friction and cleanliness.   

These Shimano MW501 mtb booties also arrived bang on cue, along with Madison Roam 2.5 Layer Waterproof Jacket. In some respects, it's along similar lines to the Showers Pass Elements Jacket SHOWERS PASS MEN'S ELEMENTS JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

Both have a more relaxed (but not baggy) cut, several pockets and hoods.  It’s priced closer to that of Oxford Venture OXFORD VENTURE JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and that’s reflected in the fact the Showers Pass has waterproofing and breathability ratings of 15000. The Oxford and Madison are 10,000 apiece. These features, coupled with subtle colours lend them to general outdoor wear, too.  

Ours was Dark Olive, continuing this narrative but black, or Chili red are the alternatives. Back to the booties.  I’ve always had a soft spot for mtb models during the darker months, even on a road bike. I’ve occasionally been tempted by road-specific versions, but the stiffer soles and exposed cleats lack the same convenience, dare I say security when dabbing a foot down, or walking short distances. Retro-reflective panelling is another nice, if unexpected touch on an mtb design and incredibly effective, too.