Moons & Floods

 

The postman brought me some interesting goodies to keep me out of mischief. This Moon Helix Pro W (W denotes white) being one of them. It’s a 5-mode contingency/town light boasting a maximum output of 250 lumens, sensored (stop-go), and intelligent output technology.  

Middle of the Helix family of front lights, there’s a Helix Lite-W, delivering 150 lumens, while the Helix Max pumps out a cited 350lumens and run times between 2.15 and 170 hours, depending on mode (in my experience, factors such as temperature also have an influence). The Pro supposedly delivers 2.15 to 142hours, from the lithium polymer cell. Would be interesting to test the rear counterparts, which look very impressive. Despite the relatively flat profile, the lens casts a broad arc of light  

IPX7 for weatherproofing should mean it survives all but full blown, sustained immersion too- I've not had any issues with the recent biblical rains and flooded roads. Anyhow, just need to keep subjecting it to the real world. It also has a 150-lumen rear counterpart, which looks interesting. The instructions recommend not fitting it close to a wireless computer, which wasn’t a complete surprise, but I wondered whether this referred to the head unit, or the fork sensor.  

For the time being, I’ve positioned ours on the fork leg, which hasn’t induced any weird readouts and I’ll move it to the bars and possibly a head tube in due course. There’s a wealth of clever functions- an auto mode that selects the right output for conditions, theoretically maximising run times, a locking mode so the switch doesn’t get accidentally triggered when bouncing around in the bottom of a bag, pocket etc.  

Auto Safe mode is basically a limp home setting. A reserve of 45 minutes on the lowest mode gives a sporting chance of getting home illuminated but try not to go this route too often- aside from the obvious safety element, it’ll also do nasty things to the battery’s service life.     

Talking of rear lights, the Ravemen TR200’s Ravemen TR200 Rear Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) bracket mysteriously expired, causing the light to tinkle across the tarmac.

It was the latter sound that alerted me and I U-turned. Thankfully, the TR200 was obvious and no-one else around. I tucked it into my middle jersey pocket and spun home. Mercifully I had a replacement mount in the spares box.  

Losing any light is never good but I am particularly taken by the TR200’s balance of power, presence, and relative frugality. 

  

Just before Storm Ciaron struck, the Schwalbe Smart Sam succumbed to a second sharp, funnily enough along the same section of very muddy, slippery backroad. Blowouts are rare, and this followed the slow, sinking hiss narrative. No biggie, I’ll just pull over to the verge, swap tubes, pop on the CO2 cartridge and head off again...   

Tyre OK, in went the spare tube, tyre seated properly. Alas, the CO2 cartridge discharged itself in chaotic fits and starts, while the tyre remained firmly flaccid. This is why you always carry a reliable pump.  

Off came the Topeak Gravel 2 Stage Mini Pump Topeak Gravel 2 Stage Mini Pump | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and ten minutes later, we were headed home, the wind swirling and ruffling the otherwise snug Oxford Venture Jacket OXFORD VENTURE JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) which is still a favourite of mine, thanks to the fit, retro-reflective detailing, removable hood, and deep breast pocket-perfect for stowing my long zoom compact camera within easy reach.  

Mercifully, the flooded sections haven’t been deep enough to engulf hubs but a good test of chain lube, waterproof socks, and footwear. Though not waterproof, Steve’s been impressed by these Fizik Winter Cycling Socks Fizik Winter Cycling Socks | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Not hard to see why I’ve stuck to Ursula. Sealed bearings are designed to resist the pressures of puddles and garden hoses but it’s good practice to give bikes a mile or so a mile or so to purge any residual moisture. 

Conditions have been sufficiently wet n’ wild to tax the Zefal Extra Wet Nano Tech Ceramic Chain Lube ZEFAL EXTRA WET NANO CERAMIC CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) A blend that has otherwise fended off the typical British winter for up to 495miles. I may need to find the Weldtite Extreme Wet WELDTITE TF2 EXTREME WET CHAIN LUBRICANT (sevendaycyclist.com)  should the waterlogged theme continue much longer.  We must also spare a thought for those who have experienced considerable loss and damage. I'll close here with Steve's review of These Chiba gloves Chiba Bioxcell Winter Warm-Line Gloves | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

 

Fifteen Years On...

I acquired the Holdsworth frame and period fork 15 years ago. With the help, skill and kindness of a few people, the 50's frameset underwent the first of two restorations. Road Path to Enlightenment: Primed, Painted and Restored to its Former Glory 

Road Path to Enlightenment: Blink n' You'll Miss It 

Road Path frames were versatile but with minimal compromise.  

Designed to be raced on the track, yet with geometry and clearances that allowed everyday practicalities-full length mudguards, wider tyres and geometry for predictable, yet engaging road handling.  

There was a trend for running track bikes on the road, fuelled in part by the messenger circuit, but stock, a machine designed for track is challenging on metalled roads, given the geometry, fork rake etc.

  

This did give rise to some very practical "off the peg" builds during the 2000s, including Kona's Paddy Wagon, Specialized's Langster and Surly's Steam Roller. I've a soft spot for all three, having ridden all three for a few hundred miles apiece. Of these, the Kona was most compatible with my riding style and indeed, the UK climate. The Holdsworth also signalled a new chapter in my life, the end of a loveless marriage and some might say, reclamation of self.  

There was no need to reinvent myself, I knew exactly who I was, had just been silenced and sidelined for years.  

There's more to bikes than a collection of tubes dressed in components to make them go, stop and handle well. There are miles, memories and other sentimental stuff making them unique and cherished. 

Coinciding with the fifteenth anniversary (of acquisition), I'd dropped by Maldon Shotblasting & Powder Coating, since I was in the area. Aside from a Ferrari shell awaiting blasting, and a beautifully refinished Trek gravel frameset, there was this unidentified lugged road frame hiding away in a corner.  

It had been given a protective red oxide primer coat by the owner and judging by details such as the brake bridge, cable guides and lug work, is a mid-range training frame from the 70s, possibly early 80s. Curiously, braze-ons-bottle bosses, gear levers and top tube cable guides are conspicuous by their absence.  

It was due to be blasted and refinished in a classic chrome effect/blue powder coat, which in my view is infinitely nicer than electroplating (a process tantamount to vandalism in my book and indeed, Tony Oliver's).  

The rains came- well, put more accurately, when a divine entity was washing his tandem trike, he graciously offered to wash his neighbour's tandem triplet. Roads turned to shallow rivers have taxed the otherwise refreshingly stoical Momum Mic WaxMomum MIC Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) so I've switched to Muc-Off -50c chain lube MUC-OFF -50C CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) since its thin, yet reasonably stout and attracts less dirt than a more traditional wet blend.  

One thing led to another (doesn't it always) and I found myself switching Ursula's Selle San Marco Concorde for the slightly wider (145mm) BBB Echelon, which is lighter and has a pressure-relieving cutout.  

I've also swapped the Magicshine Ray 2600 for the Ravemen PR2000, which needed some shim experimentation before I'd achieved the desired, limpet-like tenure to the Velo Orange Handlebar Accessory Mount VELO ORANGE HANDLEBAR ACCESSORY MOUNT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).  

I was also curious to see whether the PR2000 wireless switch would command its smaller stablemate. I'd had mine a few seasons, so wasn't expecting so but nothing ventured and all that...Ultimately it didn’t but worth a shot. Talking of the Ravemen, here’s Steve’s review of the Ravemen PR1400 Ravemen PR1400 Front Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Back in the late 80s and early 90s September temperatures were in the low teens, much cooler in the mornings, now we are seeing them reach the mid to high 20s in this region of the UK, which concerns me and is a topic all to itself. There have been a few mornings when the mercury’s dropped to 6 or 7 and I’ve been reaching for gilets and three-quarter lengths. Oxford Venture Windproof Gillet OXFORD VENTURE WINDPROOF GILET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is my default.  

Features include impressive retro-reflective panelling, four sensibly proportioned pockets (three at the rear and a zippered breast). The fluro version is my preference for murkier, overcast mornings but thanks to the retro-reflective panelling, the stealthy black counterpart is still very conspicuous.  

The only downside is that it’s not one you could tow around in a jersey pocket, should the temperature rise significantly. The Madison Freewheel Men’s Thermal Bib Tights with Pad Madison Freewheel Thermal Bib Tights | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) have also made a reappearance on the pre-dawn outings, supplying some welcome warmth to the knees and protection to the legs when indulging in some off-road exploration, without being overly warm. I'll leave you with my review of the Ravemen TR200 USB Rechargeable Sensored Rear Light Ravemen TR200 Rear Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)