The past few weeks have seen me permanently attached to the Univega-primarily on the grounds of an all weather touring/mtb shoes group test. Realising the hazy days of summer are fast diminishing, I plucked Ninja Blue from its nylon-coated hook and took off for a fast twelve-mile blast. Ironic then that the heavens should mysteriously turn overcast and bestow intermittent warm rain of the sort that nigh on dries the moment it strikes the top-tube. Tractor racing a’la the summer of ’91 has been notable by its absence too and this needs resolving before autumn’s gentle rains and falling leaves. 
The dry, dusty summer months have delivered a layering of filth and grime seemingly by stealth to the Univega’s livery but mercifully a bucket of warm water, a few capfuls of wash and wax and this eco-sponge from Green oil purged the demon. Derived from the Luffa plant and imported under fair trade from the Philippines, its biodegradable composition feels closer to that of a shredded wheat cereal biscuit. Leave it in a bucket of Luke/warm water for a minute or so and it both softens and swells to more useful dimensions- it’s great on really stubborn grime and should last around a year but feels a little aggressive for more delicate frame finishes.
I keep returning to the idea of reinventing Izzie the Ilpompino for winter. Similarities with the Holdsworth end at the livery but that’s precisely as I’d intended. Mudguard and four point carrier mounts, clearance for 38mm rubber are perfect attributes for the darker months. Remaining pragmatic, such would only coincide with replacing Ninja Blue’s bottom bracket shell and introducing bottle mounts to the down tube, topped off with the fresh coat of 5012- a conversation I shall be having with Paul Vincent in the coming weeks. 
Talking of winter, these quirky booties from Lake might not win warm applause from the style police but are a surprisingly proficient choice for four season’s riding-especially through rain, sleet and snow. Resembling a closed toe sandal with an integrated sock, the breathable event fabric ensures a temperate inner climate. The soles strike a great balance between power transfer and walking comfort, although curiously cleat engagement isn’t as snappy as some.
The Holdsworth’s stem mounted Blackburn computer hasn’t missed a beat, regardless of my proximity to electricity pylons, phase one nuclear reactors and all manner of high and low frequency interference. These factors might explain how I achieved those heady forty-mph plus readings back in the day but a steady twenty-three fuels the senses, makes the soul sing while just steady enough to compose thoughts, features, test copy and related materials.
Consequently, the cheap but ever so cheerful echowell has found a new home aboard my mother’s partner’s smart new, versatile Ridgeback commuter scoot. There’s nothing remarkable about said machine-an aluminium frame festooned with sensible braze-ons, proven lower end Shimano and in-house components but sturdy Alex wheels and prevalence of sealed bearings mean it’s very practical. 
This Axiom disc rack happened to be lying idle in my wardrobe as was a canary yellow cage and single pannier. Means he and my mother can take leisurely rides through the summer evenings and in accordance with the male psyche, shout current, maximum, average speeds and of course-distance.
Explaining the significance of the nagging pacer arrow has added to the frisson of excitement and as the proverbial child at Christmas he was permitted to bring said machine through the house before embarking on a twenty minute, three-mile meander around the block. This presented the ideal opportunity to test out some trainer-type touring shoes drilled for recessed cleats. A few leisurely rides, change of pedals, introduce the cleats and he’ll be ready for a few evening rides with yours truly…. Oh how innocently it all starts-before long he’ll be brazing frames together from old tubing and cannibalising washing machines a’la Obree!
Speaking of innocence, summer holidays have seen Joshua regain his zest for riding thanks in part to this bud brake modulator. The manufacturers claim it works to the same principle as car/motorcycle ABS, preventing wheel lock-ups rims overheating and tyres blowing out on long descents etc. The jury’s out on some of these assertions but credit where due, the Jagwire cables are nice touches and moreover, muting the (irrational) fear of ejecting himself over the bars in an emergency has contributed to his improved fluidity/coordination. Confidence battles with concentration sometimes but he’s managing to ride unaided for a few minutes and there’s just a little work to be done in terms of regulating speed to avoid those rights of passage “through the hedge” moments. 
The two demonic PR boys presently spearheading the present UK government have demonstrated they have little concern beyond their own ideologies. The present agenda of dogmatically cutting every conceivable area of public spending will have grave consequences for every facet of the economy. Cycling superhighways and related civil engineering projects that breathed considerable life into privately owned construction firms- responsible for the promising indicators of economic recovery are fast relenting. Road tolls are a smouldering topic and this too will re-ignite tired arguments about entitlement to use the highways-afterall every one of us pays for the infastructure through direct taxation but this is likely to become lost in the politician’s rhetoric too.
This second economic downturn is starting to bite way beyond that of the reviled public sector. Friends in trades such as plumbing and heating report serious decline is business which they feel will worsen with January’s proposed VAT hike. Housing and other benefit cuts will obviously result in growing levels of homelessness and crime usually accompanies this. The spectre of bike theft is never far away and such an epidemic is likely to remain of little interest to the authorities who seem hopeful of the public taking solace in cheap liquor rather than the civil unrest of the late 70s and 80s.
The dry, dusty summer months have delivered a layering of filth and grime seemingly by stealth to the Univega’s livery but mercifully a bucket of warm water, a few capfuls of wash and wax and this eco-sponge from Green oil purged the demon. Derived from the Luffa plant and imported under fair trade from the Philippines, its biodegradable composition feels closer to that of a shredded wheat cereal biscuit. Leave it in a bucket of Luke/warm water for a minute or so and it both softens and swells to more useful dimensions- it’s great on really stubborn grime and should last around a year but feels a little aggressive for more delicate frame finishes.I keep returning to the idea of reinventing Izzie the Ilpompino for winter. Similarities with the Holdsworth end at the livery but that’s precisely as I’d intended. Mudguard and four point carrier mounts, clearance for 38mm rubber are perfect attributes for the darker months. Remaining pragmatic, such would only coincide with replacing Ninja Blue’s bottom bracket shell and introducing bottle mounts to the down tube, topped off with the fresh coat of 5012- a conversation I shall be having with Paul Vincent in the coming weeks. Talking of winter, these quirky booties from Lake might not win warm applause from the style police but are a surprisingly proficient choice for four season’s riding-especially through rain, sleet and snow. Resembling a closed toe sandal with an integrated sock, the breathable event fabric ensures a temperate inner climate. The soles strike a great balance between power transfer and walking comfort, although curiously cleat engagement isn’t as snappy as some.The Holdsworth’s stem mounted Blackburn computer hasn’t missed a beat, regardless of my proximity to electricity pylons, phase one nuclear reactors and all manner of high and low frequency interference. These factors might explain how I achieved those heady forty-mph plus readings back in the day but a steady twenty-three fuels the senses, makes the soul sing while just steady enough to compose thoughts, features, test copy and related materials.Consequently, the cheap but ever so cheerful echowell has found a new home aboard my mother’s partner’s smart new, versatile Ridgeback commuter scoot. There’s nothing remarkable about said machine-an aluminium frame festooned with sensible braze-ons, proven lower end Shimano and in-house components but sturdy Alex wheels and prevalence of sealed bearings mean it’s very practical. This Axiom disc rack happened to be lying idle in my wardrobe as was a canary yellow cage and single pannier. Means he and my mother can take leisurely rides through the summer evenings and in accordance with the male psyche, shout current, maximum, average speeds and of course-distance.Explaining the significance of the nagging pacer arrow has added to the frisson of excitement and as the proverbial child at Christmas he was permitted to bring said machine through the house before embarking on a twenty minute, three-mile meander around the block. This presented the ideal opportunity to test out some trainer-type touring shoes drilled for recessed cleats. A few leisurely rides, change of pedals, introduce the cleats and he’ll be ready for a few evening rides with yours truly…. Oh how innocently it all starts-before long he’ll be brazing frames together from old tubing and cannibalising washing machines a’la Obree!
Speaking of innocence, summer holidays have seen Joshua regain his zest for riding thanks in part to this bud brake modulator. The manufacturers claim it works to the same principle as car/motorcycle ABS, preventing wheel lock-ups rims overheating and tyres blowing out on long descents etc. The jury’s out on some of these assertions but credit where due, the Jagwire cables are nice touches and moreover, muting the (irrational) fear of ejecting himself over the bars in an emergency has contributed to his improved fluidity/coordination. Confidence battles with concentration sometimes but he’s managing to ride unaided for a few minutes and there’s just a little work to be done in terms of regulating speed to avoid those rights of passage “through the hedge” moments. The two demonic PR boys presently spearheading the present UK government have demonstrated they have little concern beyond their own ideologies. The present agenda of dogmatically cutting every conceivable area of public spending will have grave consequences for every facet of the economy. Cycling superhighways and related civil engineering projects that breathed considerable life into privately owned construction firms- responsible for the promising indicators of economic recovery are fast relenting. Road tolls are a smouldering topic and this too will re-ignite tired arguments about entitlement to use the highways-afterall every one of us pays for the infastructure through direct taxation but this is likely to become lost in the politician’s rhetoric too.This second economic downturn is starting to bite way beyond that of the reviled public sector. Friends in trades such as plumbing and heating report serious decline is business which they feel will worsen with January’s proposed VAT hike. Housing and other benefit cuts will obviously result in growing levels of homelessness and crime usually accompanies this. The spectre of bike theft is never far away and such an epidemic is likely to remain of little interest to the authorities who seem hopeful of the public taking solace in cheap liquor rather than the civil unrest of the late 70s and 80s. 