I Go in Peace...

 

Chain casualties addressed, I was hoping that was the last bite winter was going to take out of their drivetrains and indeed, my wallet. I was relieved after the first 20-mile outing to note the shifting issue was resolved, everything just clicked up and down the cassette effortlessly-no call to fine tune the bar cons, or rear mech.  

 

Another little job off the list and my head. I’d dressed the chain in Peaty’s Link Lube Dry, which is essentially a waxy-type formula for dry weather-more suited to spring and summer. The conditions have since turned wetter and muddier-lanes resembling a cyclo cross course, seeing Denise and I blasted with cack. Great for testing stuff, but means regular sudsy washes- for bike and rider alike. Against this backdrop, I’ve stripped Denise’s chain bare using a Silca Gear Wipe and gone for some Peaty’s Link Lube All Weather.     

 

That formative ride on Ursula was characterised by thick, freezing fog, hence I'd gone for two rear lights and paired the K-Lite Bike packer Pro V2 K LITE BIKEPACKER PRO V2 FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing dynamo lamp with the Ravemen XR6000 Ravemen XR6000 Front Light | cycling-not-racing  at 3000 lumens to cut through the gloom, especially since I wasn't wearing any day glow.  

 

I literally watched as the ice formed along the Madison waterproof jacket's sleeve and there was some palpable ice coating the lanes. A moot point with the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Tyres | cycling-not-racing, which are definitely worth the additional grams in these contexts. Fingertips were nipped a little by the cold, but then it was zero and the Lomo aren't intended for the most bitter winter has to offer (although there's scope for liner type gloves).  

 

Subsequent rides were milder, at least numbers wise, taking icy roads from the equation but wind chill meant it felt closer to minus 2. I hadn’t gone the liner route at this point and despite this, the icy cross and headwinds presented more resistance than chill. I fell between sizes, so went larger, which was definitely the way forward. 

 

Once the temperature crept to 1 or 2 degrees above, they've proven very temperate. Waterproofing is in the showery to heavy rain sense, not submersion and I'm told the DWR coating will have to be replenished from time to time. It doesn't matter what type e.g. spray on, or wash-in but there's only need to do this when things start turning unexpectedly soggy.  

 

I'd much sooner garments that are highly water resistant and wick quickly, rather than a truly impervious, submersible design that became clammy and uncomfortable. Those with TPU linings being the biggest culprits. The padding density is bang on for my needs. Dexterous enough that I can tweak stuff by the roadside, rummage through pockets, wield tools such as this Feedback Sports Reflex Torque Bit Driver Feedback Sports Reflex Torque Bit Driver | cycling-not-racing, trusty superzoom compact camera, and lights. 

 

Extensive silicone detailing engulfs the palms and fingers, continuing this grippy narrative, regardless of whether it’s been dry and chill, or milder and soggy. Natural silicone wraps have been the most tenacious union, but they’re proving consistently good across the board. The huge terry pad is perfectly positioned for effortless taming of runny noses.           

 

No issues with commanding lighting, keys and similar stuff either, which is similarly welcome, and the long cuff ensures excellent overlap and therefore, weather sealing with jerseys and technical shells. On one bitterly cold (but not icy) outing on Denise, I happened to upset a woman walking her two dogs. Apparently, despite leaving ample space when passing she felt startled.  

 

Her rebuke though forthright was still very respectful, so I responded with a protected wave of acknowledgement/apology. I'm not in the business of upsetting or startling any other road users full stop. The Orp smart horn TESTED: ORP SMART HORN went straight back aboard Denise's Soma Condor bars and I was curious as to how well the pack leader of two small terriers might respond to this.  

 

Most pedestrians and dog walkers seem to appreciate the less aggressive sing-song tone (my default). In many regards, I hope I don't meet her again, since a gentler 56 decibels might well infuriate her. I have been pleasantly surprised by the Magicshine Allty 400.  

 

My riding environments dictate something brighter, but there are situations-say stretching a best bike’s legs on longer summer evenings, or cold, bright winter days. Contexts where you’re needing to be seen, rather than navigate.  The 400lumen flashing (day and night) modes are surprisingly effective and unsurprisingly, the most frugal. In common with other lights of this genre, run times in the highest, steady settings are rather modest. 1hr 35 (against the 1hr40 cited) from the full 400.

 

Das ist es

 

Winter is hard on everything, even the best maintained and prepared bicycles, motorcycles, cars etc. demand more owner involvement. Following my undignified, but thankfully inexpensive encounter with sheet ice, I’ve stuck with Ursula and spikes. It was tempting to shod Denise with the Schwalbe Marathon Winter, but conditions were too icy for the 120 spikes.  

Sure, they’d offer a decent amount of grip in less challenging conditions but waterlogged roads that had turned to sheet ice will fox mid- point 240 spikes. Even with 362 spikes, I was incredibly focused along one particular descent, holding the right (front) lever tentatively to scrub off some speed and stabilise but I didn’t deviate from my line and was hyper vigilant, especially entering the left-hand bend. No issues, no bib short soiling, but I didn’t want another tangle with terra firma. Subsequent outings saw me take the longer, flatter route home.  

Having heard of my tumble and trashed tights, Saddleback graciously sent me these Castelli Espresso tights and jacket, which was very welcome, and I was deeply touched. I’d received and fitted the been giving the non-aero lever idea some thought and decided there was some merit in doing so, but restraint was key just now. Not least as someone felt themselves more entitled to my bank account than I. Thankfully my bank’s fraud team were quick to curtail this, but no-one thought to tell me, while I stood in line at the supermarket’s self-checkout.   

I’d decided if I was taking the non-aero lever route, I’d pop them on the WTB mtb drop bars and do a wholesale swap sometime, most likely coinciding with cable replacement. Otherwise, it’s just change for changes sake. 

While replacing Denise’s RL520 lever, I then discovered the derailleur inner wire had exploded into one massive fray, calling for replacement. Logic would suggest then was also the time to perform a switch. However, it was minus 2 and by the time I’d conducted lever surgery and redressed the bars, my fingers were rapidly losing sensation. Best to quit, while ahead rather than soldier on at that point.  

Milder temperatures saw this job completed in a matter of minutes the following day. The new brake inner wire had also stretched very slightly, but I’d noted the CX50 brake pads were running a little low, so I switched these, before pulling the inner wire through. Another illustration of winter being hard on components, so always best to keep a few in stock and coordinate replacement before they wear out.   

Ursula’s chain was looking thirsty, so I ultimately gave both bikes a deep, sudsy bucket clean, degreased Ursula’s drivetrain using the Finish Line Grunge Brush Solo Finish Line Grunge Brush Solo | cycling-not-racing, checked chain health-.25, which was a pleasant surprise and possibly due in part to the use of cleaner lubes-the Wolf Tooth WT-1 All Conditions LubeWolf Tooth WT-1 All Conditions Chain Lub | cycling-not-racing in particular. I’ve gone the Peaty’s Link Lube Premium All Weather PEATY'S LINK LUBE PREMIUM ALL WEATHER | cycling-not-racing.  

I’d switched to Ursula’s other XT wheel, having discovered the Ryde/XT had some play in the bearings, which I didn’t have time to tackle. A few days down the line and with some quiet time, I removed the cassette and tackled the cones. This is a very subtle adjustment and can be a little fiddly.  

I got things close and then whipped two 17mm spanners on the locknuts tightening them both simultaneously, thus ensuring both sides tension evenly, saving time and faff. A quick double check, then back went the cassette-another little job off the list. There was ample Oxford Mint Assembly Grease Oxford Mint Assembly Grease | cycling-not-racing clinging to the freehub splines, so no need to replenish.  I’ve been sent these Silca Gear Wipes, which seem a great workshop standby for all sorts of generic cleaning duties.  

£30 buys 110 wipes, which I’m told remove dirt, grease, oil and sweat from frames, components. There are two sides. One for polishing, the other for scrubbing. The polishing side is supposedly safe on frame finishes, including matts, which can be trickier customers to care for. The rougher side is for purging grease, oil and gunk from drivetrains and other areas of impacted grime-white bar wraps being prime candidates. Given the season, it’ll be very interesting to see how effective they are.    

I’d been tempted to pop out on the fixed since temperatures had thawed for successive days, but the mercury was sliding again, and my scabbed forearm and knee tempered such temptations. However, I’d reached my conclusions regarding the Topeak Uni Super Tourist 2.0 Non-Disc Rack  Topeak Uni SuperTourist 2.0 NonDisc Rack | cycling-not-racing