Chilly Charms & Sudden Thaws

 

Conditions became wintrier as January unfolded and I was relieved I'd left the Schwalbe Marathon Winter mounted to Denise's wheels meaning I could just hop on, relax and enjoy the ride, despite the icy stretches. I decided to switch the Selle Royal Respiro for the WTB Rocket WTB Rocket Saddle | cycling-not-racing . The Respiro served me well for the best part of 13 years and I wondered whether the foam matrix was beginning to lose its memory around the rear.  It also heralded the return of these “lobster” gloves, since wind chill had brought the air temperatures considerably lower than minus 6.

Warmth is a definite plus but there’s trade off on the dexterity front, which can dictate their removal when bag rummaging, multi tool wielding and other tasks requiring fine motor skills. These link two fingers together, so allows me sufficient freedom to operate a compact camera, adjust a zipper etc. Better than the mitten type, but still comparatively limited.  For this reason, I also pack a set of liners, or middleweight gravel types, should I need to tackle a flat, or similar.

Considerations aside, they are blissful for otherwise bitterly cold midwinter outings. Blessed with a generous thatch, I tend to default to a water repelling, breathable cap such as this Showers Pass Elite SHOWERS PASS ELITE CYCLING CAP | cycling-not-racing. However, when il fait froid, I reach for another old favourite, the “Belgian” style cycling cap, which has served me well for around twelve winters.

These are characterised by better coverage and protection to the ears and a slightly thicker, sometimes fleecy inner fabric. I reach for mine once the air temperature hovers around zero, or the wind chill drags it into minus figures. Higher and I find the breed a little too toasty for my tastes.  The Sidi Algor Sidi Algor MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing have proven themselves extremely temperate when the mercury’s dipped to minus 6. Not that I’ve had any issues with Shimano’s mighty MW702 Shimano MW7 (MW702) Gore Tex MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing in similar contexts, but the Algor are slightly toastier.

The Zefal Shield G50 guards continue to impress with their capacity for keeping crappy stuff off myself and Denise.  Aside from a weekly, judicious check of the Velcro, I've not needed to give them a second thought. I've also been pleased by Ursula's new front mudguard.

Though less elegant than the Mudhugger MUD HUGGER GRAVEL HUGGER MUDGURADS | cycling-not-racing and similar designs, its simple and offers good coverage to rider and machine without risk of clogging. How it will fare longer term, when the glop, UV light, heat and cold have done their worst, remains to be seen.

Mudguards, though a valuable defence are no substitute for regular cleaning. When the gritters have been out, give bikes regular washes, starting with a cold rinse to flush away the corrosive contaminant (hot will only accelerate the caustic process) before going for the warm sudsy bucket and brushes.  

There’s a lot of discussion around bike washes- in the Marmite sense. Some really like them, other folks loathe them, citing them as money for old rope. I sit somewhere in the middle. Salty season aside, I like those which can applied direct to the bike i.e. without having to get the bike wet first- scrub and rinse.

Otherwise, I default to good quality car wash n’ wax type formulas, which will gobble the grime, while leaving a light wax barrier behind. Obviously, this can’t compare with a decent quality hard paste, or fluid formula, but does offer some defence. Great for when time and daylight are at a premium.  

In a matter of days, ice and snow gave way to flooding, so it made sense to switch to Ursula for a bit, and I was also curious to see how well the new front mudguard performed when it came to waterlogged lanes. Suitably impressed, it made a huge difference to my comfort, although they’re arguably perfect for 1.9 section rubber. Glad I’d donned the Shimano MW702.

Managed to get the Blackburn Atom4 to play nicely with minimal effort. A shot of PTFE free spray on the sensors contacts and decent quality CR2025 cells seem to address the intermittent connectivity issues. The smaller frameset places the head unit and sensor in closer proximity, which probably helps.   

Winter Smiles

 

It’s no secret that I struggle with Christmas, something that began creeping in c. 1986 following the death of a close family friend and though it hasn’t worsened, I prefer to plan ahead, keep busy and to some extent, to myself.  

Positive mental stimulation is key here, not unhelpful distractions. Cold but bright weather and empty roads are, to some extent magical though-at least when bike(s) and rider are correctly dressed. Seasonal strife can strike if you’ve broken a cable and the shop’s shut, so I always ensure I’ve a few brake and gear inner wires in stock before the holiday season hits proper.  

Sealed, maintenance-free systems such as the Jagwire Road Elite are a particularly worthwhile investment, but if you’re on a tighter budget, Transfil Flying Snakes are another good bet. The outers can be a little abrasive though, so ensure you’ve slipped some cable cuffs where these brush against painted, or lacquered surfaces. Strips of helicopter tape are advisable, too. Brake pads are another consumable that can wear at an alarming rate. I took this opportunity to inspect Ursula’s front pads-still a decent amount of life left, but I’ve just dialled the pads a little closer. I’ve also another set of semi-metallic Disco Brakes on hand, should the situation change between Christmas and New Year.  

I happened upon some track chains offered at £1.99 apiece- rebranded, cheerful KMC with brown, rather than electroplated finishes. I bought two for the fixed gear winter/trainer since at that price it would’ve been silly not to. Even if I only get 1300 miles from them, I’ll have recouped my money several times over. While doing a stock take, I also happened upon a 12-28 cassette that I’d seen silly cheap and squirreled away, which was a bonus. 

Changing the bar tapes- Ursula's, Denise’s and the fixed was another inspired move for several reasons. A change of tape is one of those things that can help coax us out on cold, grey days. Denise’s Wolf Tooth Supple Bar Tape is sublime on the comfort front-not overly surprising, given its 5mm thick.  

It isolates road and trail buzz beautifully, greatly reducing fatigue and common to other silicones I’ve used, super grippy, regardless of palm type, temperature, or weather. The Wolf Tooth Supple employs silicone finishing strips, which, despite some initial scepticism are proving very tenacious. That said; decent quality electrical tape is another staple- nothing worse than redressing bars, only to discover the finishing tape’s decidedly lacking. I’ve opted to dress Ursula’s Soma Condor 2 in the thinner 2.5mm Wolf Tooth Supple Lite Bar Tape. This may sound a strange choice in some respects but it’s worth noting Ursula is basically a drop bar mountain bike with carbon fork and 2.1-inch tyres, which afford plenty of compliance and comfort. Some riders don’t like bulky tapes, especially with mid-winter gloves, partly due to a loss of connection with the bars. Then of course, a chunkier aesthetic isn’t for everyone either. The Supple Lite is made from an EVA foam-no polymers, or silicones, significant since the grip and control is proving reassuringly good.      

It’s been milder in the main, although still a little stormy so I’ve switched to the Altura All Roads Gloves, which are highly water resistant but more dexterous than traditional midwinter types, making little tasks, such as pannier rummaging, or taking photos that bit easier.  Talking of gloves, here’s Steve’s review of the Sportful Fiandre Sportful Fiandre Gloves | cycling-not-racing 

The Continental Pure Contact are proving similarly dependable and compliant, allowing me to relax and enjoy the ride. We’ve had some fun through storm Darragh and ankle-deep watery backroads, mucky lanes, frosty stuff, too. Thus far, there’s a decent turn of speed, grip and no punctures. Though very welcome, not surprising since I find most puncture resistant breakers hold out well for the first 1200miles. Mudguards (fenders) may not be glamourous but save bike and rider from being blasted in crud.  

I’ve returned from a few excursions aboard DeniseGravel on A Dustbowl Budget PT V Lesson | cycling-not-racing with a very soggy derriere. However, being a gravel bike (gravel crosser, even?) I’m shunning guards and accepting the downsides. Easier to clean, too and I’ve taken to post ride bucket washes every third outing ort so- dismissing the worst crud but without going “dinner plate” when conditions are slimy and well, wintry.  Besides, it’s organic grot, no sign of the dreaded salt monster yet.  

Worst of the storms subsided, I returned to the fixed gear winter/trainer for some quicker, some might say, simpler fun. I’ve warmed to the Deda tape, forming the opinion it’s a solid bet for road-biased riding where bulk is unnecessary and undesirable aesthetically, particularly on an older, steel frameset.   

Given the bike’s road reversions in recent seasons, some might see the Mud Hugger Gravel Mudguards MUD HUGGER GRAVEL HUGGER MUDGURADS | cycling-not-racing a curious choice. While I’ll agree traditional full-length mudguards offer better coverage and smoother aesthetic, they make roadside wheel removal, say tackling a flat more complicated. That last thing I want when light’s fading and temperature’s tanking. I’ll stick with the more industrial aesthetic and some compromise in protection.