Future Proofing

Arguably there’s no such thing, everything must evolve to stand any chance of survival and those, no matter how “intelligent” who refuse to acknowledge and evolve will find themselves obsolete. Change is difficult for us to accept, it challenges our sense of certainty, presenting a new sense of vulnerabilities.

For many decades there prevailed a myth through Dagenham (a town built around the Ford motor company) that educational attainment was completely irrelevant since said motor giant would always grant local people (comparatively) well-paid, semi/unskilled work on their assembly line.

By 1995, according to schools liaison officers the average Dagenham school leaver “Stood a cat’s chance in hell” of being considered for the line’s most rudimentary jobs. Engineering has continued to make a low key return here and in other regions of the UK but levels of remuneration are incomparable with previous decades.

Those of a technical grade, with “valuable” transferable skills will move sideways into other industries/roles, those without face a decidedly uncertain future, forgotten by political administrations-regardless of their ideological “convictions”. 

Many people purport to understand social media but until recently, I’d been an operator, as distinct from mechanic. Rather akin to being stranded by the roadside with an elderly car haemorrhaging litres of coolant, oil and similarly vital fluids, grappling with the running gear is proving a steep but empowering and arguably essential learning curve.

Suspension systems are another perpetual evolution, though have never really fired the imaginations of road riders or at least enjoyed sustained commercial success. Two decades back, Steve Bauer’s Eddy Merrcx Paris Roubaix bike (sometimes sporting Rock Shox front boingers) looked loosely contemporary, though hasn’t aged well-its profile and seating position more reminiscent of Harley homage cruiser motorcycles.  Ditto Bianchi’s curious celeste dual road sussers from 1996 that resemble bicycle shaped objects flogged on petrol station forecourts.   

Weight and added complication have been the traditional lines of resistance. Carbon fibre and titanium  has long been the zing of choice-justly so in most contexts, though I must confess to a soft spot for Girvin’s Flexstem and AMP research’s simple forks-both now rapidly gaining anorak status, having vanished from production at least fifteen years ago with very modest spares availability.

Seatposts have been another mixed bag, from simple yet serviceable elastomer types slipping under £25 to ultra-smooth units employing a heady mix of nitrogen gas cartridge and coil sprung technology. Shorter travel designs have always nudged my consciousness for rough-stuff touring, cyclo cross and tandem stoker applications with Cane Creek’s Thudbuster proving one of the more enduring designs I’d not had the opportunity to test until now….

For the uninitiated, there’s two versions-LT (long Travel) aimed primarily at the enduro /cross country mountain bike audiences whereas its’ ST (short travel) counterpart is for lighter trail/cross/tandem stoker antics. Nudging 454g for the standard 350mm version, it’s offered in a refreshingly comprehensive range of sizes.

Other diameters are accommodated via a series of long shims. Back in the 1990s, several manufacturers of “trick” sub 200g CNC machined exotica produced a single size, supplied with the corresponding shims. Thing was, these were decidedly minimalist, often shallower than penicillin tablets, resulting in seat tube stress fractures. Thus some very prominent brands wouldn’t honour frame warrantees when paired to such.

Popular culture, though TV in particular seems central in engendering an “us n’ them” vehicular tribalism, which misses the point and isn’t remotely conducive to forming intelligent, cohesive integrated transport systems. 

Cycling plays a big part in Joshua’s continued quest for greater autonomy, requiring carefully reasoned, rational risk management. Knee jerk “cotton wool” protectionism is perhaps understandable but disastrously counterproductive, hence why I instilled the basics of road craft and an awareness of the increasingly maddening crowd who substitute skill for varying levels of aggression during his formative tagalong tenure.

Instrumental in this slackening of parental reins are his phone and this bar mounted waterproof Aquapac mobile phone bag. Some would advocate tracking apps and other surveillance but to me, this is decidedly Orwellian and recognising he’s not easily distracted, I’m happy knowing he will ride within his limits, can be contacted and communicate with me should circumstances arise.    

Stay Away From The Fog...

With deeply unrewarding temp role coming to an expedient end, relief was quickly superseded by a sense of economic alarm. Still, I’m retaining a sense of stoical pragmatism and enjoying the steady precession of test goodies coupled with the odd 150 saunter up country to the marvellous midlands, widely recognised as Britain’s industrial heartland. Twenty odd miles south of Birmingham sits Coventry’s transport museum. Entry is free but donations keep those rooms brimming with old scooters, motorcycles, and cars and not forgetting examples of fine cycle manufacture in fine fettle.

Damp and perpetually gloomy November weather seems ideal testing ground for the unsung heroes-lubes, greases, polishes for our bikes, waterproof socks, gloves and of course beanies to keep us churning away in relative comfort. However, my tempo along the lanes is dictated by an advancing black dog called D. Depression is an overused term but in its real forms, a genuinely horrible, debilitating condition that I am determined to avoid. Right now I am very low and see this as the body’s way of communicating a need to confront some fairly fundamental stuff festering unchecked for some time.

A major component of this is professional frustration. My journalism/photography brings immense satisfaction and defines me on so many levels. Contrast this with an incessant tide of nondescript temporary roles in unrelated fields with people whom I share little, or no common ground. Therefore, strident efforts are being made to secure a relevant vocational opportunity that would have deeply empowering effect upon my outlook right now…Hmm, I’ve got a great face for radio…Anyone need a slot filling?  

Meanwhile, back at the test bench... Motorex bike shine is a spray formula designed to keep winter’s silt, slurry and spatter from clinging to polished, painted, plated and even plastic surfaces. However, steer clear of contact points and braking surfaces, for reasons, which should be obvious… I was surprised to learn it’s actually silicone based since while these usually deliver a protective showroom shine fine for bikes in seasonal hibernation, they generally attract, rather than repel dirt.

Talk of the devil; its solvent carrier gobbles dilute spatter and similarly light road grime on contact but salt encrusted winter hacks and muddy crossers will need a good old fashioned bucket wash n’ dry first (cold in the first context since hot only serves to accelerate the chemically corrosive reaction). From here, it’s simply a question of spraying short bursts into a clean lint-free cloth and buffing to a jewelled effect. Previous blends have been really handy for my cyclo crosser, although several tins of beeswax furniture polish can e had for the same money and do broadly the same thing, although admittedly require more frequent application. 

    

Their dry lube is another curiosity, not least since it’s actually a hybrid, supposedly offering the cleanliness of dry and wets tenacity. Since the brand specialises in petrochemical products, I expected it to perform well but hadn’t bargained for the speed at which the chain and to a lesser extent, cassette looked grubby. 

Having cleaned the chain thoroughly to rule out cross contamination, simply twist the spout and apply, holding some more clean rag or kitchen towel beneath since it literally races into every link. Initial impressions are favourable- slick, silent and very tenacious but side plates are demanding weekly wiping. This sounds ideal for Joshua, since he’s suddenly spread wings and begun riding to school, although I’ve discovered he’s be sneaking out sans lights-hence these Torch/One23 have found themselves tethered to handlebars and helmet.

Soggy feet are another unwelcome winter experience. Overshoes are the obvious solution since they also protect expensive race slippers from the salt monster. However, I find them cumbersome at the best of times so was suitably cheered by the arrival of these thin, calf length Seal Skinz Socks. Fully waterproof when immersed to the elasticated cuff, they’re incredibly comfortable worn with all genres of riding footwear and an obvious choice for mountain biking and cross antics. Odour control seems generally good but washing’s no more complicated than popping them on a cool, machine cycle.