Mother, I’ve had the clap!

Ok, so I’ve had more difficult conversations with my mother, and I don’t mean VD. I am of course referring to that strange Thursday night phenomenon that is applauding keyworkers, during the UK lockdown. I understand this is well-intentioned and induces a sense of morale and cohesion. However, if people want the NHS and other front-line services to continue, they need to target politicians and lobby for proper, sustained investment.  

Obviously, model portfolio-building https://stenningphotographic.blogspot.com/2020/ and similar, social photography is out just now, so I’m supplementing my other freelance income with some temping. In short, an agency rang to discuss my experience in a previous front-line trade, offered me some work (I needed the money) and here we are.  

Spleen vented, back in the saddle... 

Much as I predicted, after another 150 miles, the Giles Berthoud Saddle has conformed to my sit bones, church pew numbness a long and distant memory. Nonetheless, it’ll be another few hundred before it assumes the same, subtle support provided by this Ti railed Spa Aire but compliant enough for now. Some might say masochistic, though I’ve found strangely satisfying. 

Checking my Univega’s chain, it’s in very good health, 600 miles in. On present form, I’m reckoning another 1200 before it passes on, to The Great Bike Shop in The Sky.  

I’ve another KMC waiting in the winds and was tempted to load up on another, when I remembered seeing a packet fresh, gold Sun Race unit, during my last rationalisation of the garage. Unless I spot something suitable going for the proverbial song, I’ll use existing resources. 

I’m sticking with a two-coat helping of Zefal Pro Dry lube for now, since the weather’s turned damp again. I’m also thinking in terms of switching to Weldtite TF2 Ultra Dry Chain Wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-ultra-dry-chain-wax if conditions remain arid, Weldtite TF2 Performance All Weather Lubricant https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-performance-all-weathe if the forecast favours precipitation. 

It has this week, which has presented the ideal opportunity to put a budget waterproof commuter jacket through its paces. £70 generally buys a garment that is more waterproof, than breathable. That said; I’ve been able to bowl along for 20 miles or so, at a steady 18mph without feeling “boiled in the bag”. 

Commuting continues to rise in popularity, given the present situation and desire to avoid crowded public spaces/transit. Brompton’s iconic small wheeler is a solid contender for those looking to ride shorter distances and wanting something that will go, stop and handle in good proportion. We’ve been putting their B75 through its paces. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/brompton-b75      

Zefal has also kindly sent me these crank and paint armor, which should keep my mile munching mainstay looking fresh. I’ve gone over to these Continental Speed Reflex tyres, to see whether they’re any sprightlier than the mighty Schwalbe Marathon Mondial Double Defence https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-mondial-tyres  .

Formative impressions are of a quick rolling, compliant tyre with decent grip but 400-500miles will give much better insight into their characteristics, pros, cons etc. 

I’ve also switched to these long serving and slightly careworn Scott sport shoes. They’ve served 12 years, on and off. They’re a twin bolt road model with stiffer soles than the Triban 500 I’ve defaulted to, these past few months.  

They've also got a set of specialist insoles which corrects the (minimal) femur imbalance, which can otherwise induce misalignment and shoulder pain, on longer rides.  Took the opportunity to whip on some new, genuine Shimano cleats, too. Despite nylon washers and other, vibration thwarting goodies, mudguards and other little fasteners still work themselves loose.  

Some low level but annoying chatter was traced to my Univega’s SKS Bluemels Shiny Mudguards. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/sks-blumels-shiny-mudguards Though most fasteners are now Allen, or Torx, mudguards are still 10mm nuts. I always carry a Y type socket wrench. (I’ve had it for 30 years) but Topeak Alien ii still has the 8,9 and 10mm ring types for these little jobs and I’m really pleased to see it, still in production.     

Buoyancy Aids

The long holiday weekend and lockdown presented the ideal opportunity to setup the Redshift Sports Suspension Seatpost and take the Holdsworth for a 7am blast, on Easter Saturday. 20 miles confirmed that I’d set the saddle height just a fraction too high, putting unwelcome strain on my knee joints. However, my pre-load guesstimate was bang on.  

A gentle, progressive sag and return, no power-sapping “Pogo stick” bounce… I slid a 5mm hex key in the binder bolt, then eased the post down by 4mm-perfect. Balmy weather turned Bandit by the mid-afternoon, so I’ve switched back to my Univega for daily social distancing. The weather has veered between 20 degrees and a blustery 10. Conditions that call for a more flexible approach, in terms of clothing. 

Early mornings have been the order of my routine. Therefore, three quarter lengths such as these Primal are perfect. Cooler and I default to a long sleeve base layer and a jersey cum jacket. Milder, I reach for a middleweight training jersey, such as this Prendas Ciclismo Paris Bordeaux Long Sleeve Jersey https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/prendas-ciclismo-long-sleeve-jersey. 

Just now, I’m staying with full finger gloves and alternating between the buff cap (photo) and This Scimitar Recycled Neck warmer, which, rather like the Original Buff can be worn in several ways. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/scimitar-recycled-neck-warmer  

Despite a generous thatch, I’m finding the Buff Cap a little too airy when battling icy blasts, leading to the occasional “ice cream” headache when scorching along exposed descents. 

Nonetheless, in milder weather, it seems a superior alternative to the traditional race cap. 10 days in, it’s still smelling refreshingly fragrant too... These are also easier to shove in a jersey pocket, when not required.   

30 years back, I was rotating my oval rings and indeed, pouring scorn on the concept. Fast forward to the present, I’d never suggest going oval across the fleet, or otherwise proclaim elliptical as the Holy Grail. In some instances, those running a front mech may need to raise theirs and make similar, small adjustments.  

However, the 15% ovality and 38 tooth Raval ring has certainly transformed my Univega’s gearing from nearly-there, to tailor-made. There is a slight period of adjustment in muscle timing but it’s loosely comparable with that experienced, switching between fixed and freewheel transmissions.  

I’m also trying to steamroller my butt’s specific contours into THAT saddle.  

It had fooled me into a false sense of security after a few hundred. One that was only realised when I switched to my fixed gear winter trainer and the Swift pattern (that has been sat on for many thousand miles). On current progress I’m reckoning a further 300 miles should prove the turning point.   

Despite my best efforts, the Tom Tom Bandit Action Camera Bracket’s infuriating low-level rattle has returned, along with some slippage. I tried to bolster the bracket’s ball joint with Thermoworx Whitemorph https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/thermoworx-whiemorph  but it’s not held firm. Helmet rather than bar mounting may be the only solution.   

As an interim measure, I have resurrected this Geonaute G-Eye2. It’s a 1080HD Go-Pro homage, with some nice features, although it’s not as comprehensive, or user-friendly as the Aperman A80 4K Action Camera https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/apeman. The lack of a preview screen is another minor niggle of mine, but preferable to the Bandit’s noisy and slightly sloppy bar mount. Looks like it should cadge a lift on a Go-Pro type bar/stem face mount, much neater... 

Elsewhere, I’ve concluded switching to the Vee Rubber Zilent, on my fixed gear winter/trainer was a smart move.   Steve’s been relatively impressed by these inexpensive Lifeline Essential Armour Commuter tyres. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/lifeline-essential-armour-commuter   

Superficially, they are clear nods toward Schwalbe Marathon Plus https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-plus-tyres and none the worse for it, although you’re limited to 700x32 or 35mm widths.   

I’ve also invested in this fresh batch of tubes too. Well, at 99p each, it would’ve been rude (not to mention silly) not to!