Primal Stirrings

Despite the seasonal increase in lost/stolen parcels, these Primal Dawn men’s bib knickers made it through. Formative feelings are very positive.

Bridging the gap between shorts and thermal bib tights, ¾ lengths are perfect for autumnal and early spring rides. Milder winters too. (That said; Primal cite an optimal operating temperature range, between -7 and +24 degrees) In fact, ¾ lengths my preference over bib tights, unless wind chill/air temperature really bites. Our medium fit my 1m81, 70 kilo-frame perfectly.

The bibs offer ample coverage to the vital organs, the braces, unrestricted movement. Though less common, these days (especially at this price point) the elastic in some designs can be overly firm. To the point of feeling restrictive. Several in my collection, leaving unsightly tell-tale branding, after a couple of hours riding.

Panelling and cut seem equally precise. I managed 16miles in 45 minutes during our first outing and on the fixed. Much of that fuelled by very controlled rage, induced by an inflammatory communication, from my ex-wife. Nothing particularly new there. Another example of resilience, which I touched upon in my last entry. The season of goodwill generally slumps during December, on the roads, too.

I wasn’t surprised to find myself on the receiving end of some crass overtaking. Now, simply put, if you want to kill someone without experiencing punishment, incarceration, or indeed, loss of licence-do so with a car, or larger vehicle.

The occupant of a Mercedes Sprinter began overtaking (on a bend) but then decided he might collide with an oncoming vehicle, so just swung back. I’ve had closer encounters but was fuming at this display of elephantine ignorance.

The Sprinter remained stationary, engine running for around thirty seconds, blocking my progress. A baleful “Sorry mate, are you OK?” was offered on three occasions. I remained silent and unresponsive, partly in the hope my contempt would register. Life is very short, responding would only serve to ease his awkwardness. Hopefully this experience gave him food for thought/improvement.    

On the alternative lubes front, after 480 miles that familiar, subtle metal-on-metal tinkling struck. This coincided with a well-deserved sudsy scrub, for Ursula, who was sporting a fair bit of accumulated grot around the fork legs, bottom bracket shell and chainstays.

This was dismissed with some Pro Green MX Cycle Wash https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/pro-green-mx-triple-pack . Fenwick’s foaming chain cleaner and Green Oil bicycle brush https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/green-oil-bicycle-brush  had cassette and chain gleaming, ready for chainsaw oil.  Applied via dropper bottle, this went on in a fashion, reminiscent of Weldtite TF2 extreme wet chain lubricant https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-extreme-wet-chain-lubr  and some others adorning my shelves.

However, I was surprised by the initial clean up required. There was a fair bit of excess clinging to the side plates and a spattery patina (reminiscent of that effect employed by Kona on their late 1980s mtb frames) adorning the Univega’s chainstays. Less drizzle n’ go than bike specific blends but not markedly worse than the motor oil, in many respects.

On some levels, its to be expected, but the fixed has been running much cleaner and the lube is really clinging to the chain’s dimpled galvanised texture. Several wet rides in, the chain has almost “bedded in” and the initial gravely patter, replaced by a serene swoosh.

Talking of gravelly, (and before the so called “beast from the east” sweeps in Steve has just reviewed these GoodYear County https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/goodyear-county-premium-tyre  

Ison Distribution have been investigating my SP PD8 dynohub wheel https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/halo-rim-and-shutter-dynohub-disc-b  and confirm the hub is fine. However, the rim appeared to be pulling itself apart (albeit, very slowly). Therefore, they’re stripping the wheel and rebuilding with a new hoop.  I’ve also decided to revisit the Univega’s front stopper.

Though the IRD CAFAM 2 cantilevers https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ird-cafam-2-cantilever-brakes  are beautifully engineered, their mechanical advantage better suits traditional levers.

My Univega’s existing Microshift are shallower reach. Great for smaller hands, but Avid Shorty 4 and M system designs are better pairings. The humble cantilever is becoming harder to come by, although still has a solid following in ‘cross circles.  Some Shimano CR50 presented themselves, so we’ll see how they fare.

Carnage & Cams

I’ll leave the first few shots to your imagination-for legal reasons I cannot reveal anymore at this juncture. Suffice to say, I’m very glad to have walked away unharmed (More than can be said for my beloved Neptune green KA) and a dash cam is now essential equipment for me.

Fearing that I might be tempted to start a sanctuary for unloved Mk1s (Seriously underrated little cars) I hired its successor and went hunting for the low mileage, late model replacement seen here. 

Rare that I have any affinity for the top gear team but after 200 miles found myself agreeing whole heartedly with their summary of the MK2 “Disappointing second-generation version of Ford’s groundbreaking 1990s city car. That model was a classic: this one is just a rehashed Fiat 500. Literally”.

Yes, the Mk2 has plenty of consumer toys, a dashboard that tells the driver they need to change into 5^th at 33mph, leaving the 1.2 Zetec struggling on the flat let alone a modest incline. Another concern is that some drivers are becoming deskilled by this sort of technology, changing up on a sweeping bend when they should’ve held back in preparation for what, or indeed who might present around the corner. Unfortunately, stupidity cannot be legislated against.

Even budget dash-cams can capture decent footage these days, reviewing the casual indifference and downright carelessness of some people on public roads, regardless of vehicle stirs some very strong emotions. Politicians are very keen on law and order rhetoric. The present British administration is talking in terms of doubling fines and endorsement for use of hand-held devices while driving. Sounds good but of little consequence unless robustly enforced.

Public sector funding cuts have stark implications for policing too. Anecdotally, I’ve seen police drive casually by a driver handset welded to their ear and engrossed in conversation! Driving along motorways at 60-65mph, I’ve found myself gaining on vehicles occupying the middle lane at 45mph, relaxed in the seats, chatting away without a care in the world. Life unfortunately is cheap.

Hmm, ah I see, it was an accident...It might be accepted that you may not have intended to kill that person(s) by ploughing into them oblivious but an accident is best defined as something that you could not reasonably expect or predict.

It is more commonly used to mitigate responsibility and therefore, punitive sanctions. Face in a hand-held device when you are operating a ton plus of steel and should be focused on conditions ahead, is not.  

Economic hardship is another popular card, played to avoid loss of a licence. Until driving is seen as a privilege and not a right, with the emphasis placed upon continuously improving standards (throughout the licence holder’s life) then this callous indifference and needless loss of life will continue.     

Then of course, we have the “punishment pass”...Ironically enough, I’d left the Geonaute behind last Wednesday afternoon. Five miles from base, I was bowling along at a smart pace on the Univega. Glancing over my shoulder, a white Citroen van with an LV60 plate was advancing, although not at unreasonable speed.

Twenty seconds later, the driver intentionally swerved into my path screaming expletives before swinging into a right turn sans indicating. Without the complete registration, or camera evidence, reporting this to the police was pointless... Now, if the self proclaimed “People’s Judge” James Pickles were still alive, I’m confident he’d be saying that dressed in figure hugging Lycra tights and astride a Scarlet bicycle, I was “asking for it”.