Petting the Hedgehog

 Generally speaking, I hold up pretty well during the cold, wet and sometimes icy months but I’ve been finding riding in perpetual darkness tricky of late, so I mixed things up a little. Midwinter is also a season of temptation and er, sometimes five-minute wonders. Tempered in my case by outgoings, and cost-benefit discipline. Want versus Need, at its simplest.  

The Holdsworth’s fork is a modest expense with genuine benefits. The mighty KA was due for servicing and two new front tyres. They were still within the legal limit but safety’s not something I mess with, particularly during winter. 

Admin and emails before 7.30 and out riding come sunrise. I enjoy the changing seasons- always have and though I can cope in hot, humid conditions, there’s a lot to be said for cooler weather. People’s tempers seem more even, and, on the bike, I can don, or remove additional layers.   

Some of you will notice a pink theme creeping in. Now, I wouldn’t have a frameset finished in pink, nor is it a colour I’m traditionally drawn to. Much will also depend on the shade. However, I’m perfectly secure in my masculinity, so not overly fazed when a manufacturer sends me something- bar tape, bar bag, jersey with a subtle hue, or theme.  

Contrasts nicely with Ursula’s cream and black colourway and of course, the Holdsworth’s “French” blue (RAL 5024). I was also suitably taken with the Giant Continuum 9 function wireless computer, that I’ve acquired another. Not least since it’s bankrupt stock and pink is cheaper than the alternative colours by several quid.  

There are a few devices l personally prefer to be disconnected from the internet. Bar-mounted computers are cases in point. Phones and other technology spy on us- for some reason, I’m being offered prostrate massagers, laxatives, inflatable companions, commodes via Ali Express. Hmm...Can only be that grunting on those long climbs... I digress...   

Ursula and the Holdsworth sported 80’s pink/black spatter Bike Ribbon in the past-£1 from a bargain bin dive. Peugeot and a couple of small-scale British frame builders offered framesets with a black and pink theme too.      

UK media hysteria about snow blasts, white outs and complete chaos have in this corner thus far, translated as minus 6 and plenty of ice. Not an issue with the right kit- Ursula's shod with the spikes, I’m wearing long sleeve base layers, Belgian style caps (greater coverage for the ears) softshell jacket, Oxford Venture Gilet, or if the wind’s really biting this Madison Roam 2.5 Madison Roam 2.5 Layer Waterproof Jacket | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  Waterproof socks and gloves are another definite plus, while glasses shield the eyes from windblast, sleet and debris. Amber lenses are reckoned to reduce glare and make it easier to see in low light. There's suggestion these also enhance the mood and anecdotally, I’ll agree.   

The invisiFrame Protectant is proving a remarkably effective barrier against, wet, gritty, corrosive stuff and I’ve been very surprised at just how clean Ursula has remained after much mixed terrain fun. Judging by this Bell Avenue, it works equally well on matt polycarbonate finishes.  

Titanium is a little trickier though. Matt, “submarine” greys are fine but those with a satin hue required more enthused buffing to remove any haze- the Holdsworth’s Torus stem being a case in point. I took that opportunity to dress its Coefficient Wave Carbon Handlebars COEFFICIENT WAVE HANDLEBAR | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) with Cycology 8-day Handlebar tape. The outer, silicone-based coating means it’s a little tricker than some to get tucked into the end and needs a firm, even pressure. That said; it’s hardly challenging to fit. I’m enjoying the Cycology See Me Pink Handlebar bag.  

It’s made from a sturdy waterproof 900d polyester with a waterproof zipper and 2.4 litre carrying capacity. There’s also a carry strap for convenience off the bike. Internally it has a relatively large “open plan” main and a zippered “valuables” stash within the wall- change, keys and other stuff you don’t want going AWOL. Given the bitterly cold, icy snap, the fixed has been enjoying a rest.  

One quirk I have noticed with the Topeak DX rack is that to adjust the chain tension, with the present chain tugs requires removing the rack from the eyelets (since the legs sit proud and obstruct). The obvious, although relatively pricey option was to go for another set of MKS NJS chain tugs. Nice, but I decided I’d take a punt on some auction site specials, which looked to be of the genuinely cheap but cheerful variety. The supplier claimed UK stock and in fairness, they arrived within a week. Time will tell but if these fail, I’ll take the MKS route.   

Wind, Rain, Ice, Variable Gears & Seasonal Lows

 I returned from a ride and noted the fixed gear winter trainer’s chain tension was on the slack side. The Z1’s nickel-plated EPT coating was also showing through- the Zefal  Extra Wet Nano Ceramic ZEFAL EXTRA WET NANO CERAMIC CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) had been licked clean in places. An easy fix on both counts.  

Given the wet, mulchy conditions, the bike needed another thorough sudsy bucket wash and rinse. Same went for the brushes Finish Line Easy Pro Five Brush Set | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). I poured some neat bike wash into the bristles, worked this into a lather and rinsed with warm and cool water.  

Grot purged, chain tensioned and re-lubed, I decided New Year was time to switch to Ursula for a while. Aside from fancying some dirt, I needed to conclude some testing-specifically the Raveman XR 6000 Wireless Switch Controlled front light Ravemen XR6000 Front Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), and the Silca Secret Formula Chain lube. For some reason, the XR 6000 refused to power up.  

The battery was showing a 50% charge and when prodded, the remote switch flashed blue but nothing from the lamp. Perplexing, although didn’t stop pre-dawn play, since I had the K-Lite Bike Packer Pro V2 Front Light K LITE BIKEPACKER PRO V2 FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) .  

I tried to coax the Ravemen XR 6000 into life at various points during the 20-mile loop, but no joy. I’d not exposed the battery, or connectors to anything IPX6 shouldn’t shrug at. Could I have somehow locked the system so it wouldn’t engage...Concluded I was best served by giving the battery a full charge and trying again. (Spoiler alert, this solved the issue, and I was able to capture some beam shots).  

Ride concluded and decided it was time to top up the Silca Secret Formula Chain Lube. I was slightly perturbed by the brown. Then I remembered it was a waxy formula, so grit, mud and similar contaminant becomes embedded within the top layer, falling away before it can engage with the chain. Some of the local lanes had literally become trails and wet enough that my neighbour's dachshund would need a snorkel.   

All this standing water, though great for testing the capabilities and resilience of technical kit, did not bode well, since temperatures were predicted to tumble. This prompted a switch to the SP SV and XT wheelset, which were shod with the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) but it held above freezing. At the other end of the rubber world, here’s my review of the Hutchinson Challenger Tyre https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/hutchinson-challenger-tyre 

Roads, including motorway exits, were flooded- the latter I discovered having left one and my little KA being hit by a wall of water. Further along this route, a stranded Mercedes sat slumped in the filthy water, its hazard lights pulsing eerily in the darkness. This was the theme for another ten miles, and I was relieved to pull up on the drive and let the engine run to drive out any floodwater, assisted of course by this Muc-Off Bike Protect. I also went this route post-ride the following morning with Ursula. Cables, cleat mechanisms, mechs etc all given a quick blast, before I reapplied the Silca Super Secret Formula Chain Lube.   

I also noted a paint chip on the seat tube cable guide, so treated that with a light helping of KRUST, adding a lick of high-build marine primer some four hours later. I’ll take the same route with the frame ends come spring. For now, I’m treating them to regular applications of Muc-Off HCB-1, which is designed for harsh environments and will theoretically seal the elements out and keep the grot at bay. Unlike more traditional formulas, it promises not to do anything nasty to electrical contacts, rubberised components etc.  

Cycology has been kind enough to send me their See Me Pink Handlebar bag and 8-day Handlebar tape. The latter is a compact model, which is a better fit for my bars, which have limited real estate when lights, switch gear and computers are taken into account. In common with the See Sense Handlebar Bag SEE SENSE HANDLEBAR BAG | cycling,-but-not-usually-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) I reviewed a while back, it’s possible to mount it, very securely just behind, rather than in front of the bars.  A plus if you’ve a lot going on upfront and/or are running a very stumpy stem.