Level Headed...Lids, Mental & Physical Loads

 

“It doesn’t matter how good a rider you are (or believe yourself) you will always come off”. Source my late father, who had for a time worked for Matcheless Motorcycles in Plumstead, South London. His role was in personnel, looking after the test riders who were employed to test machines in some cases, literally to destruction.   

I hold dear the right to choose when it comes to helmets, but I also hold dear the ability to think, to make decisions and enjoy my own sense of agency. Against this backdrop, I ‘ve been sent this MET Miles Mips helmet. It’s a sub £70 model defined as being “A touring model with roadie spirit”.

On paper at least, specification is favourable, taking everything into account. Aside from the MIPSC2 system, we have seventeen vents, washable pads, ponytail compatibility, compliance with CE, AS/MZS and US standards.  This one’s gloss white but there’s four other choices, including a very fetching teal.

Loosely speaking, MIPS should be thought of as a roll cage for the head, protecting the head against twisting, rotational forces which are contributary to concussions and more serious brain injury. Afterall, falls and crashes tend to involve tumbles, not s singular strike onto a hard surface. It’s a very thin, low friction layer moving within the helmet, helping to redirect this force and with it, brain injury. 

Neurological injuries have scary, life-changing implications. I’ve worked with acquired brain injuries and related conditions, such as stroke and cardiovascular incidents in previous careers. Sometimes full recoveries are possible, but sometimes the person we knew is lost. I recall walking into a Regional Neurological Rehabilitation Unit and seeing a woman in her mid-twenties who could only cry-no other form of expression. She had been the pillion rider in a motorcycle accident. It turned my blood cold.

It's important to note that helmets, like locks are only effective if used correctly. Anecdotally, I see a lot of people riding with badly fitting helmets, whether this be down to sizing, or adjustment. A helmet tipped back exposing the wearer's forehead will offer no protection in a crash and could also cause injury.  Measure your head's circumference (using a fabric, not steel) tape measure) just above your ears and brow in centimetres.

This will give you the correct size, but it's worth noting some styles and designs may also influence this, so it's worth trying a few. "Ponytail ports" have become increasingly popular in recent years, allowing an easier exit for one's mane and seem genuinely more comfortable for riders with longer hair.   Similarly, trail, or commuter models often come with peaks and a profile more accommodating of lights and similar, although I'd resist fitting action cameras and similar tech, since these can also cause injuries in a spill.  

The helmet should sit horizontal and with a small (1-2 finger width) above your brow. Fine tuning the helmet is usually a question of loosening, or tightening a thumbwheel, or similar ratchet-type system at the back and either slackening or tightening the straps.  These should, ideally sit just below the ears and snugly around the chin, while still allowing you to chew, or chat comfortably. With the chin straps secured, tweak the ratchet type closure and check there's no movement, but without the sensation of your head being compressed in a vice.  From here, you're unlikely to adjust frequently, only when wearing a cap, or similar beneath.  

 A life without risk is no life at all. I’ve also run services for people with learning disabilities and while an understandable reaction, many parents had wrapped their children in bubble wrap and sought to eliminate any potential risk. This was very sad and regrettably also backfired.

Just a small snapshot of my thoughts while meandering down the backroads, lanes and trails. A drier, mild interlude has seen me exorcising sections of superficial surface rust along the KA’s sills (signalled by unsightly bubbling) and return to Denise, testing the Weldtite wax lube, stem swap and Gaciron Cetus 1700 front light.  All continue to impress, albeit with some limitations and compromises, although nothing I couldn’t live with long-term.  There’s still a few weeks before I reach any firm conclusions.Meantime, I'll leave you with my review of the Magicshine Hori1300 Magicshine HORI 1300 Front Light | cycling-not-racing

 

Summer & Shorts

 Unable to bring myself to dispose of the wounded Triban Men’s Road Cycling Bib Tights RC500 (I’ll basically run them into the ground, or the stage where they’re no longer socially acceptable) I’ve been alternating between them, the Funkier Ride Flow Men’s Three-Quarter Length Summer Bib Tights FUNKIER RIDE FLO MEN'S 3/4 BIB TIGHTS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and the Madison Freewheel Men's Thermal Bib Tights with Pad Madison Freewheel Thermal Bib Tights | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)

Yes, it has been cool enough on some morning rides. Then along came these Altura Airsteam Bib Shorts. These are designed for rides up to the two-hour mark, which doesn’t necessarily restrict them to novice riders.  

Time triallists, cyclo crossers, and indeed, competitive cross country mountain bikers may also find them a good fit. The Altura’s 3D Plus Pad employs medium-density foam, while the outer layer is made from “Air Fabric” which is reckoned to be highly breathable, so we’ll see. Pads, regardless of price point are very personal things, so we’ll see.  

Bibs are the default and for good reason. They don’t compress the waist, and keep the back and vital organs temperate. They also hold the pad snugly and aligned. There’s also a better aesthetic on and sans bike. Once upon a time, roadside “pit stops” were trickier, although, in my recent experience, they tend to be cut lower at the front and the straps are also designed with generous give.

  

However, this is cold comfort for female riders and assuming you can’t find a decent public toilet, it could be tricky slipping the straps down beneath a jersey.  Similarly, though stretchy fabrics help considerably, some designs can prove restrictive for taller riders.  The additional heat retention can also prove a double-edged sword. Nice on cooler rides and thin mesh panels make a significant difference but choose base and top layers carefully on hotter days.    

Some male riders only shave their legs during summer when they’re on view. Others shave year-round. I’ve straddled both camps I.e., while I’ve been less disciplined during winter and early season.  

The reason for me being “smooth” is not aerodynamics, rather there’s an element of aesthetic tradition. I also privately subscribe to the idea it helps with massage and treating cuts and grazes on the trail or following a tarmac tumble (although I do my level best to avoid the latter).  

In terms of technique, when in werewolf mode, I tend to prune the worst with a clipper set, then lather up and remove the rest with a decent-quality razor and work in upward sweeps. Remember to rinse and clean out the razor at regular intervals and don’t rush. 

I’ve also been revisiting action cameras. Not looking at acquiring another, rather I’m sticking with the Campak unit since it’s a good performer, waterproof to IPX7 without recourse to the traditional casings and generally user-friendly. There are the usual downsides common to the genre- o so audio and low-light performance.  

Mounting kits are my biggest gripe regarding the Go Pro homages is mounting hardware. Those for the bars seem particularly low rent. Hence, I’ve always reached for the Minoura VC100. However, I’m looking for something sleeker, in the quest for tidier cockpits- at least when it comes to the fixed and Ursula.  

Several weeks and plenty of miles down the line, given Ursula needed a good bath, I decided it was time to switch to something lighter. In this instance the Muc Off Dry Lube.  I also took this opportunity to whip out the chain wear indicator and, yes .75-worn out. Thankfully, I still had two “in stock” so on went another KMC.  

 

I’m confident the Muc Off Dry won’t attract much dirt and grime but will be interesting to see how many miles per application it returns, especially if a couple of damp rides and long grass are thrown into the mix. Talking of washing and bike care, here’s my review of the Weldtite  Rapid Ceramic Shield Weldtite Rapid Ceramic Shield | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

I’ve finally switched to the Safety Labs E-Bahn 2.0 MIPS Urban In mould Helmet as my daily driver and have been pleasantly surprised by how airy and unobtrusive it's proving. Especially from a design aimed at urban riders and boasting a moderate 15 vents.  

Predictably, I’ve been shunning civvies for road and trail-biased togs but despite being more “Cromwell” than my tastes usually lean to, the fit’s really nice, the peak is proving more substance than style, and even at moderate speeds, the vents ram a decent amount of cooling air through. 

Inflated Egos & Lowered Expectations

 

If there’s someone you know who loves you but is taking it all for granted, they may lose you someday... Bread’s “Everything I Own” (Covered by Boy George and others) reworked -a song resonated very strongly with me for a good 35 years. The years have taught resilience and self-reliance. Sometimes very brutally. A few have come to my rescue in ways I cannot begin to repay-at least not like-for-like but otherwise, I have a fiercely independent, survival streak. One that serves me very well, thank you.  

Given last week’s “ordeal” I was rather touched to discover Extra UK Extra UK had sent me this Topeak Road Master Blaster model, a traditional frame fit reckoned capable of an eye-watering, bicep-busting 160psi. It also mounts nicely along the top tube, sheltered from the silt, water and generic ruinous nastiness.  

They also sent me the Topeak Nanomaster Duo Fixer CO2 cartridge kit, which will hopefully help with the rapid get up n’ go following those hopefully infrequent flats. Most reading this will undoubtedly be quick to point out Co2 escapes butyl faster, so there’s a good chance the tyre will be pancake flat come the next day. Don’t panic, whip out the track pump (or bike-mounted inflator, if you’re mid-tour/bike packing escape.) and inflate to taste.   

Talking tyres, I’m looking forward to exploring some of the more technical forest trails, bridlepaths and unmade roads with the Maxxis Ikon, when they arrive. Not to mention seeing how well the Mud Hugger Evo and budget rear guard perform in these contexts.  

Both have met my expectations thus far and the former’s low-slung aesthetic belies decent mud clearance and I’m not expecting any clogging hassles. The wallet-friendly rear hasn’t turned to blancmange either but then, given its price, I had lower expectations.  Closer inspection revealed the Axiom Oceanwave City+ Seat Bag AXIOM OCEANWAVE CITY+ SEAT BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) had been aligned slightly downward, rather than being level, so took this opportunity to correct. An easy job, thanks to the Rixen Kaul  

I’m also keen to try the 700x32c Maxxis Re-Fuse-on my fixed gear winter/trainer. Allegedly they “refuse to puncture”. Specification promises good wear and puncture resistance.  

The 60tpi single compound casings employ the brands’ silk-shield technology (used in the Overdrive Excel) runs bead to bead and is boosted by an aramid layer.  

Will be interesting to see how they compare alongside old favourites such as the Kenda  Kwick Journey KS Plus Tyres KENDA KWICK JOURNEY TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).  the Kenda is cheaper and “only” feature a 5mm (about 0.2 in) puncture repelling belt along the centre strip, but I only succumbed once in several thousand miles. 

1200 miles down the line, I’ve hit my third puncture with the Maxxis Overdrive Excel Maxxis Overdrive Excel Tyre | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) in fairness, the two were on the same occasions and caused by very sharp flints that had pierced front and rear casings. I pulled these free and superglued the cuts. Replaced the tubes with fresh and repaired the wounded, consigning them to spares.  

When it comes to winter, working and competition bikes, reliability is paramount- Sunny days playthings and other “best” bikes are a little more nuanced perhaps. Talking of which, I’m hoping the weather and infrastructure are going to improve, so I can get some miles in with the Teenage Dream and the recently mounted CST Cito. It’s still rather soggy, changeable at best.  

I’d crossed the 480-mile mark with the Zefal, before replenishment called (which is around 200 miles more than the Muc-off Wet lube in comparable contexts). Now it shouldn’t be inferred that the Muc-Off is a poor lube-it's not, rather it serves to illustrate the difference between a most conditions, year-round “every person” wet formula and a hell n’ high water blend.  

This coincided with the two flats, and I took this opportunity to give Ursula a good clean and strip the residual Zefal in favour of the Motoverde  PTFE Chain Lube Motoverde PTFE Chain Lube | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  However, headed off-road, I’d shy away from river crossings and waterways, since PTFE and similar forever chemicals are very harmful to aquatic life and the ecosystem generally. Talking of bike cleaning, here’s my review of the Finish Line Easy Pro Five Brush Set Finish Line Easy Pro Five Brush Set | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Bob Elliot & Co have sent me these FLR F70 PRO MTB 250 and appropriate, given the mtb theme Safety Labs E-Bahn 2.0 'MIPS' Urban Inmold Helmet in Black. It will be interesting to see how this compares to the Lazer Chameleon Lazer Chameleon Helmet | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)