Blink n' You'll Miss It

Recent weeks have literally passed with electrifying pace and being the season of ever encroaching darkness, I’ve been happily putting blinkies of varying fire-power and orientations through their paces. As with anything, there are some remarkably tall, not to mention endearing myths about power outputs. Raw figures can be very misleading. However; suggestion that 300 lumens represent sufficient navigational clout for unlit rural stuff beyond 12mph induces hyena-esque laughter from yours truly.

500 upwards is my benchmark, though while 1000+ is absolutely superb, greater sensitivity and deft dipping is required to avoid diplomatic incidents. Speaking of focus, I’m always amazed by the power of deadlines to motivate remarkable achievement. This gyroscopic effect has also resulted in progression with book chapters and other project management, which can be overlooked given competing, everyday professional/personal priorities.

Lee Cooper (http://leecoopercycles.webs.com/) dropped me an email advising the Holdsworth’s structural repair was complete- timely since I was heading to Birmingham on Friday the 15^th to see Soul II Soul perform at the Town Hall. So I arranged to head up on the Thursday and leave it in a dry, locked and moreover secure location while this and photographic projects were pursued with commensurate vigour. Maldon Shot blasting & Powder Coating were generous enough to advise they had RAL 5024 in stock, inviting me to drop by with the Holdsworth when a convenient moment presented itself.

Once this stage and front end are reunited, I’ll reassemble, tweaking its original line up with alternatives hibernating in my spares bin. This can be done at my leisure (probably during the Christmas/New Year corridor) as we slide into the salty, slimier season. Judging by recent forecasts, the Univega might be sporting those spiked Schwalbe faster than originally anticipated.

Pleased to report said tubby tourer’s present configuration pleases me immensely, giving a really secure, planted feel, perfect for pacey winter reflections without feeling ponderous. Have experienced some minor slackening of the steerer bearings though-easily tackled with one’s trusty multi tool but might indicate the existing top cap/spacer arrangement needs slight revision.

Taking a totally different tack, while perfectly capable of being loquacious and building constructive professional partnerships, my personality type is one of positive introversion. Far from being constrained or shy, I am thoughtful and deploy these energies constructively wherever possible and do not suffer fools gladly. No shortage of graduates seemingly unable to string a coherent sentence together and I’m yet to meet a construction worker who couldn’t box-though fail miserably when pitted against an amateur fighter of similar weight.

Easy then, to appreciate time-trialling’s allure over massed start racing. Having originally conceived the Holdsworth with precisely this intention, I’ve been somewhat perturbed by recent proposals from Britain’s national governing body (CTT) to outlaw everything non-standard, this includes obsolete parts/frames(!) Presently it’s unclear quite how these rules might be interpreted/ enforced but this doesn’t bode well for our particular ambitions. 

For me, TTs aren’t so much about ego or glory but rather another constructive, disciplined outlet, converting negative energies into something infinitely more empowering. Right, that Chinese titanium seatpost has just arrived, heralding the Ilpompino’s imminent reconfiguration and the Univega’s tyre swap while I’m at it.  

Wagons Roll!

Life's as much about working smart as it is hard and old adages in reference to busy folk getting things done seem very colloquial at present. Falling leaves of radiant colours signal the end of trade shows and the steady procession of fresh samples wind their way to my door.

Had a wonderful email from Gary Rothera advising his order book has gone into orbit and thanking me for interviewing him for a UK title. Consequently, he’s sending me some fresh lines to play with and should temping maintain consistent cadence, I’ll pop along to Lee Cooper with the Holdsworth and have him perform replacement bottom bracket shell surgery as a Christmas pressie to myself. Obviously, “Ninja Blue” will need new livery but I’ll leave that in the capable hands of Maldon Shot blasting & powder coating. 

Every so often, I get fanciful ideas about upgrading the Univega’s front end in favour of a carbon fork, disc braked configuration but monies are better invested elsewhere-last year it was replenishing tiring camera bodies/lenses and this season a laptop’s looking likely.

On the consumerables front, a sudden spike in tube munching amongst the fleet (Valve stem failure, rather than belted tyre casings not doing their stuff) has necessitated buying in of fresh stock and I might go the bulk purchase bargain route should opportunity present itself. Afterall, is there such a thing as too many when it comes to the humble butyl inner tube?

Speaking of which, replacing its ailing UN52 signalled time for a good wash and hard paste car waxing to purge grime and spray that, despite full length, portly mudguards never fails to accumulate around the fork blades, seat and chainstays. Cursory inspection also revealed a dragging cantilever arm and fraying cable. But both demons were swiftly defeated with a quick squirt of water displacer, tweaking of cable tension and of course, some superglue.     

Dwindling daylight has revealed the limitations of the more powerful commuter plus 200lumen lamps with integral rechargeable li-on cells. Sure, they’ll keep pace with the suburbs and are perfectly adequate in the “being seen” sense but don’t cajole oncoming drivers into dipping their main beams.  Ergo the Magicshine and its previous, quirkier incarnation will become regular features, even if they sit on the lower 450 lumen setting, delivering Audax friendly six hour run times from a single charge.

Hold the front page! I've just landed this Exposure Revo dynamo headlamp. Designed as an integrated system with the UK marque's range of hubs and rear plug in lamps, it belts out a phenomenal eight hundred lumens with nominal effort.

Ours has behaved impeccably with an Ultegra dynohub, delivering the sort of crisp, flicker free illumination perfect for navigating unlit rural backwaters at thirty and less challenging singletrack to around twenty. Oncoming SUVs dip their headlamps at around three hundred and fifty metres and some drivers even stop!

Stand light technology means the lamp remains lit for up to ten minutes when stationary coming back on stream with a quick nudge of the front wheel. Suffice to say I'm completely smitten! 

Coupling this with my previous commentary on the importance of effective rider-specific illumination has me researching suitable options for the trailer.

Just when I was about to launch into rocking horse/hens’ teeth analogies, along comes Fibre Flare with their range, which looks to offer the perfect blend of surface area, output and rubberised mounting hardware.

They’re offering two mini front models designed to bolster peripheral prowess and I’m visualising three originals lain horizontally at the rear and shotgun on the side rails with two miniature white models positioned vertically at the front, thus completing the flight path runway/grotto effect handsomely.

UK law only prescribes a single, rear light but in my view, it’s insufficient and inviting a SMIDSY moment when leaving junctions. Most drivers will not be factoring in a coupling, especially those piloting lowered Saxo with thumping base and big can announcing their distinct lack of virility …

  

Nothing came of approaching that local publisher with my series of short children’s fiction but undeterred, preliminary discussions with another small scale company looks a little more promising, albeit tempered with a level spoonful of realism. Afterall, feedback of all kinds, not just the pretty stuff is how we progress, develop and improve-if we really want to.     

Perched Pragmatically

Had an email chat with Ryton on Dunsmore based Lee Cooper regarding a few projects and decided to solicit his advice concerning the Holdsworth’s damaged bottom bracket shell. Its cause remains a mystery but will involve cutting out the original and replacing it with something of equivalent, period sensitive quality. Then of course, “Ninja blue” will need fresh livery. On various occasions I’ve explored the notion of something more radical- bottle bosses, my name emblazoned along the down tube in tasteful italics etc but this is unnecessary and structurally invasive indulgence-not that I could be accused of being a purist given its overtly contemporary flavour. The obvious plan of action is to leave the torchmanship to Lee and the paint to Maldon Shot blasting & Powder Coating.

Speaking of which, Graham and the boys managed to slip the tune up stand and carrier through last week, giving them a much cheerier red rebirth. If you want something done, give it to busy folk. Embracing this mantra on an a pragmatic level has seen me take the cash flow demon by the horns and doing some seasonal shift work in local factories. This isn’t the most obvious source of inspiration and I’d be the first to admit coming home feeling pretty exhausted physically but having left my brain very much in neutral, find creativity positively flows for a couple of hours hence. Breaks between the days have also seen a spike in focus/productivity words and pictures-wise.  So long as I’ve reached the first, preferably second draft stage during the week, weekends can prove incredibly fertile ground creatively-principally because my mind is relaxed

Serendipity is another of my buzzwords and this came in the form of a cycle event. I’d decided to leave the motorway and do a quick sweep by the supermarket when a procession of riders, some clearly seasoned others distinctly green whizzed, or in some cases wheezed past. These became less bunched with time and I swapped shopping bags for CSC camera with 50-180mm lens, clicking away from a safe distance so as not to attract unwelcome attraction. Further investigation suggested it was in aid of little haven’s children’s hospice-a worthwhile cause if ever there was one.

So many organisations need support in some way or other, although I always fear public spiritedness is being exploited to the advantage of local and moreover central government who may cut existing funding or otherwise shirk their obligations. 

Leather has rocketed back into vogue in recent years and the economics of supply and demand are beginning to swing in the consumer’s favour as more brands enter the market. Harrogate touring maestros Spa cycles have done precisely this, launching their own range of saddles and luggage. The Aire (pictured) is a narrow, racing design made from untreated Australian cowhide that measures 148mm at its widest point, thus music to my sit bones. Untreated finishes aren’t simply an exercise in cost cutting either, although will require more frequent feeding to keep it supple and the elements firmly at bay-most notably during the bedding in period, which is around the 600 mile (800 km) mark.

Obviously, this can be accelerated with judicious application of neats foot oil to the underside, coupled with weekly treatments of proofide to the top (dropping to one every month/six weeks having completed the quoted milestone so as not to encourage premature wear). Mirror polished electroplated Cro-moly rails add to the timeless feel and dare I say the overall 590g girth. Then again at £45, complete with tensioning spanner to keep the hide in best fettle, its unbelievably good value for money.  Now, in amongst this excitement I’ve bathroom and central heating boiler refits to project manage along with road testing this rather fetching Audax bike so you’ll have to excuse me …