Seasonal Wanderings

 The corridor between Christmas and New Year has always been one of reflection and preparation. You know the sort. If we had the space, the money and could justify, etc. I’ve always been drawn to daily drivers, those that rack up massive mileages and become a highly regarded member of the family. Steve’s 30-year-old Dawes Galaxy frameset had succumbed to terminal fatigue. I learned of this while we were discussing a missing parcel. 

 

The courier documented it as delivered but clearly not to the intended recipients. I’d done some multi-drop courier work while desperate some eighteen years back and was only too aware of some casuals who’d dump consignments.  We discovered it had been “delivered” in a doorway in an adjacent industrial estate. Thankfully, it was retrieved, and the story ended well. I’d also like to make clear, multi droppers are some of the hardest-working and most diligent people I’ve ever met. The nature of my business means I’ve met (and been extremely grateful to) plenty over the years. My own experiences of multi-drop means I try and make life as simple as I can for them. 

 

Back to Steve’s Galaxy... I suggested salvaging what he could from the Galaxy and porting it over to a Thorn Sherpa...Thorn Sherpa MK3 Frame (sjscycles.co.uk)  

Thorn’s Sherpa is another of those framesets that fired my imagination and the flame never quite extinguished. It's been around for over 20 years and is essentially a do-all 26-inch wheel tourer built from the marque’s 969 Cro-moly with incredibly smooth welds, cast ends, every kind of braze-on, and a powder-coated finish. Cantilever, or V brakes only, which could be a deal breaker for some folks these days. The same might apply to 26-inch wheels.  

Remarkably similar in principle to Ursula, although with touring, rather than mtb DNA. Complete builds using Deore components are offered and are arguably an excellent fit for the workhorse narrative. Rugged, pleasant to use but not too showy. If anything were to happen to Ursula (God forbid), I’d switch whatever was compatible, to the Dawes Edge frameset. GRAVEL BIKE ON A BUDGET: PART ONE (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Both have a generous range of braze ons, high-quality tubing, accommodate winter spiked tyres, and will do everything I need of them. Yes, that’s me closing down any Sherpa yearnings. Window shopping can be fun, and a source of inspiration.     

There’s been no relent of wet, greasy, and generally stormy conditions. The sort that induces punctures and strips chain lubes with ruthless finesse. Mercifully, the Pirelli Angel DT and CST Expedium haven’t succumbed and haven’t given any cause of concern over raised ironworks. However, wet and grit have made a tangible impression on the   Zefal Extra Wet Nano Ceramic ZEFAL EXTRA WET NANO CERAMIC CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 225 miles down the line.

A check during daylight confirmed a decent amount clung to the rollers and inner sanctum, but it sounded gritty, so I gave the gunge a cat lick. I checked the chain tension and wear since I was there.  One thing led to another, and I found myself replacing Z1 ESP and switching over to the Mavic Open Pro/ Halo Fix G hub HALO FIX G TRACK HUB | Seven Day Cyclist Tourin Tests Commuting build, since that sported the other Pirelli Angel DT and I’d run the CST Xpedium CST Xpedium Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) as a control for 200 miles. I also switched Ursula back to the Ryde/Halo Spin Dr and Ryde/Alfine combo since these sported the Maxxis Ikon Maxxis Ikon Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and conditions had turned too mild for basic spikes, let alone the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

I’ve also discovered some limits to the Shimano MW501 booties’ weatherproofing.  

They are highly weather resistant but will turn soggy after three hours of persistent rain, so waterproof socks come into their own. They also take a while to dry thoroughly when truly saturated. Pack with old newspaper and leave at room temperature, but away from sources of direct heat- general practice for technical kit.  

Hands have remained temperate and dry, courtesy of these Altura All Roads Waterproof Gloves, which have a more civilian style than traditional winter models, but with no loss of performance. Grippy silicone detailing on the palms and digits offers excellent tenure to bar wraps.  

The ENVE and silicone bar wraps are perhaps unsurprisingly, their best pairing but I’ve also had reassuringly good experiences with traditional leather handlebar wraps. Less padding hasn’t been an issue to date, either-that did come as a surprise. The knitted exterior has also proved excellent for taming runny, snotty noses-a real boon while I’m exorcising the remnants of this midwinter lurgi.   

Right, we’ve been through the shortest day of the year, Winter Soulstice if you prefer but here’s a quick overview of seen-by lighting IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE: SAFETY LIGHTING FOR CYCLISTS (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.