Return Of the Bar Cam?

 

Glancing down at Ursula’s riser-drops while hossing along a particularly muddied byway, I decided there was plenty of available real estate and it might be time for the bar cam to return... Once its rear wheels had been sorted by Mick Madgett, obviously. I’d had another six mile walk of shame, courtesy of a blow-out and pothole tag team. I decided to prune the expired Ikon Maxxis Ikon Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) down and it could live on as a belt, rather than becoming landfill. Mick had finished building the new XT wheel and tweaking the Rigida Sputnik/XT the following Friday.  

Not to be out-done, the fixed gear winter/trainer’s rear Pirelli Angel DT Pirelli Angel DT Urban Tyre | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) succumbed to a hedge clipping-close inspection of the tread suggested it had struck just proud of the centre strip and 5mm puncture repelling breaker strip- a hedge clipping the culprit, although it was only a tiny pin prick in the tube.  

Comes with the season and of course, wet, greasy roads make a sharp’s progress that bit easier. Winter and early season riding is hard on even the best maintained bikes. Aside from taxing tyres, it’ll chew through chains and other drivetrain components, mechanisms can gum up, contact points can seize.  

Periodic re-greasing of the latter, regular washes and inspections go a long way to prevent mischief, not to mention long walks home. Then of course, wheels get more punishment courtesy of poor infrastructure. Again, vigilance certainly helps. However, due to chronic lack of investment, the UK’s roads have been falling into serious disrepair. Local authority budgets squeezed to oblivion by central government is compounding matters.         

Ironically, the temperatures rose, and roads dried out sufficiently for the Holdsworth to appear briefly from seasonal hibernation. My first opportunity to evaluate the repaired steel fork and its impact on the bike’s handling. Spoiler alert, it was worth the switch- handling is still very engaging, just a little less twitchy and whisper it, more comfortable over longer distances.  

The CamparkV40 had been doing something close to nothing for a good while, too. Action cameras have improved over the years, but the small sensors mean footage in low light is so-so and, in my experience the V40 is no exception. However, I was attracted to its solid build quality and highly weather resistant body.  

No call for a separate, audio distorting polycarbonate case-a definite plus. Google had been floating several other options at me. Go Pro 12 was an obvious choice, DJI Osmo Action 4 another but there’s no justification for shelling out if existing kit is otherwise solid. (I already had an ancient but very worthy Geonaute G-Eye 2 doing not a lot- it has outlived the Apeman A80).  

 

With the Leatt Endurance 2.0 enjoying a well-earned wash, I’ve resurrected an impressive Gore Torrent Men’s Jacket. It’s a lightweight three-layer model made from polyamide. Water resistance is superior to the Leatt (although I’d expect so, given it was £229 back in 2021) and the medium tips the scales at 190g.  

 

Fit is decidedly snug, but sizing is perfectly accurate. I should also point out, it’s a road rather than gravel, or trail garment and, it's also less packable, which may also be significant in the latter riding contexts.  

 

The 7Mesh Cypress Hybrid 7mesh Cypress Hybrid Cycling Jacket | Seven Day Cyclist is a more packable design, much closer to the Leatt in this respect and indeed, at £131.25, pricing. The 7Mesh is made from Gore Tex Infinium, the body being 50d polyester, the back body is 78% polyester and 22% elastane. Really close fit eliminates flutter and similar distractions, while the dual zippered side vents allow more tuneable airflow, while simultaneously improving access to jersey pockets. 

  

Talking of jerseys, I’m a major fan of long- sleeve summer models, especially since they offer greater protection against sun and to a lesser extent, wind burn (which can be an issue when riding in and around coastal regions). They’re also useful for when the temperature’s a little changeable-late summer evenings, early autumn and of course, spring.  

 

Cycology has sent me their Summit Lightweight Long Sleeve Summer Jersey and Baja Blue Classic Cycling Cap. The Summit follows the Polyester/Elastane narrative, and the yarn offers SPF50 protection, which is very welcome (although I’m still inclined to apply a high-factor sunscreen during the height of summer).  

 

Three large rear pockets and a fourth zippered design are hardly front-page news but again, very welcome, and sensibly proportioned. A full-length hidden zipper gives a seamless look, while affording excellent, tuneable airflow and temperature regulation.   

 

The Baja Blue Classic Cycling Cap follows the brand’s tradition of lively artwork and is made from a polyester/cotton mix. (65/35%). More cotton than I’ve come to expect from the technical variants, so time will see whether this has any impact upon moisture management and odour control.  It does have a very generous peak, which can be flicked up, or down, depending on choice and riding contexts.  Enough chat, time to get some more miles in... 

Summer & Shorts

 Unable to bring myself to dispose of the wounded Triban Men’s Road Cycling Bib Tights RC500 (I’ll basically run them into the ground, or the stage where they’re no longer socially acceptable) I’ve been alternating between them, the Funkier Ride Flow Men’s Three-Quarter Length Summer Bib Tights FUNKIER RIDE FLO MEN'S 3/4 BIB TIGHTS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and the Madison Freewheel Men's Thermal Bib Tights with Pad Madison Freewheel Thermal Bib Tights | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)

Yes, it has been cool enough on some morning rides. Then along came these Altura Airsteam Bib Shorts. These are designed for rides up to the two-hour mark, which doesn’t necessarily restrict them to novice riders.  

Time triallists, cyclo crossers, and indeed, competitive cross country mountain bikers may also find them a good fit. The Altura’s 3D Plus Pad employs medium-density foam, while the outer layer is made from “Air Fabric” which is reckoned to be highly breathable, so we’ll see. Pads, regardless of price point are very personal things, so we’ll see.  

Bibs are the default and for good reason. They don’t compress the waist, and keep the back and vital organs temperate. They also hold the pad snugly and aligned. There’s also a better aesthetic on and sans bike. Once upon a time, roadside “pit stops” were trickier, although, in my recent experience, they tend to be cut lower at the front and the straps are also designed with generous give.

  

However, this is cold comfort for female riders and assuming you can’t find a decent public toilet, it could be tricky slipping the straps down beneath a jersey.  Similarly, though stretchy fabrics help considerably, some designs can prove restrictive for taller riders.  The additional heat retention can also prove a double-edged sword. Nice on cooler rides and thin mesh panels make a significant difference but choose base and top layers carefully on hotter days.    

Some male riders only shave their legs during summer when they’re on view. Others shave year-round. I’ve straddled both camps I.e., while I’ve been less disciplined during winter and early season.  

The reason for me being “smooth” is not aerodynamics, rather there’s an element of aesthetic tradition. I also privately subscribe to the idea it helps with massage and treating cuts and grazes on the trail or following a tarmac tumble (although I do my level best to avoid the latter).  

In terms of technique, when in werewolf mode, I tend to prune the worst with a clipper set, then lather up and remove the rest with a decent-quality razor and work in upward sweeps. Remember to rinse and clean out the razor at regular intervals and don’t rush. 

I’ve also been revisiting action cameras. Not looking at acquiring another, rather I’m sticking with the Campak unit since it’s a good performer, waterproof to IPX7 without recourse to the traditional casings and generally user-friendly. There are the usual downsides common to the genre- o so audio and low-light performance.  

Mounting kits are my biggest gripe regarding the Go Pro homages is mounting hardware. Those for the bars seem particularly low rent. Hence, I’ve always reached for the Minoura VC100. However, I’m looking for something sleeker, in the quest for tidier cockpits- at least when it comes to the fixed and Ursula.  

Several weeks and plenty of miles down the line, given Ursula needed a good bath, I decided it was time to switch to something lighter. In this instance the Muc Off Dry Lube.  I also took this opportunity to whip out the chain wear indicator and, yes .75-worn out. Thankfully, I still had two “in stock” so on went another KMC.  

 

I’m confident the Muc Off Dry won’t attract much dirt and grime but will be interesting to see how many miles per application it returns, especially if a couple of damp rides and long grass are thrown into the mix. Talking of washing and bike care, here’s my review of the Weldtite  Rapid Ceramic Shield Weldtite Rapid Ceramic Shield | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

I’ve finally switched to the Safety Labs E-Bahn 2.0 MIPS Urban In mould Helmet as my daily driver and have been pleasantly surprised by how airy and unobtrusive it's proving. Especially from a design aimed at urban riders and boasting a moderate 15 vents.  

Predictably, I’ve been shunning civvies for road and trail-biased togs but despite being more “Cromwell” than my tastes usually lean to, the fit’s really nice, the peak is proving more substance than style, and even at moderate speeds, the vents ram a decent amount of cooling air through.