Rough Ride

 

The freelance world can be a rough one and I’ve taken on other roles, from previous careers as a financial anchor for many years. However, these have become progressively less palatable, to the point I’m fostering a genuine sense of resentment toward them.  Role aside, I’ve had little or no connection to those I work alongside and am managed by either. 

This tells me I need to change something and strive for better, to leave the high pressure, skilled but poorly rewarded work behind. However, as others in this position will attest, you must change, not simply walk away.  

 

For previous generations and many years, there was a linear pattern. You could be assured of a comfortable life, even working a menial job. People didn’t need to adapt, or necessarily develop. Decent quality housing stock, solid public services, schools, and other societal fabrics meant a safety net, social mobility and some might even say cohesion. I would argue this, married to economic decline and neo-liberalist economics are prime culprits.  

 

Some might also argue the pre-existing social contact, also taken for granted, is broken.  

 

I was also slightly perturbed by Kona’s rapid disappearance from the Sea Otter Classic Show in California. Unclear what’s going on there but I for one, would be deeply saddened if the name were to disappear, or possibly worse, become a bargain basement brand, as happened to several British marques over the decades. I have since learned that the parent company has announced redundancies, and the brand is being sold on. 

 

As for those British marques, I still have a fondness for the Barry Hoban range of road bikes, British Eagle, Carlton (although they were part of Raleigh by this point). Talking of Raleigh, I still have a fondness for their special products division and some fabulous tourers- The Randonneur and slightly lowlier Royale in particular.  

A friend had the latter a 21.5-inch 531St tubed model back in 1989. It featured a bio pace crankset, four-point carrier, 700x28c Michelin tyres and Weinman Cantilevers – I rode it a few times as a teenager and found it fun and responsive.  

 

Back to Kona (which he also had within his stable). These were groundbreaking machines in the late 80s and early 90s. Geometry still feels current, and the design perfectly suited to the British climate and conditions. Joe Murray’s influence made the Lava dome and Cinder Cone magnets for my teenage imagination and empty wallet. These had a splatter effect paint finish, which was supposedly designed so you could touch up any chips discretely, and have unique, custom paint. Marin’s Bear Valley was another, as was their decidedly out- of- my budget Team Titanium....Hmm.... Again, I love retro, providing there’s scope for modernisation and I’m paying fair, not fancy prices.  

In the UK at least, it's not unusual for temperatures to dip around Easter, leading to April. However, I was somewhat surprised to find it sliding from 18 degrees to 3 degrees, prompting a switch back from the Espresso and Cycology jerseys to the Castelli Entrata Castelli Entrata Thermal Bib Knickers | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) Bib Knickers and occasionally, the Madison bib tights and jersey cum jacket with Cycology Summit Jersey as a base-layer (a role it performs very well).  

 

The Cycology Baja Cap being slightly thicker and with a greater cotton content also retained some welcome warmth, although I stayed temperate wearing the Madison Roam Gloves Madison Roam Gloves | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). Talking of Cycology, here’s my review of the Cycology 8 Day Handlebar Tape Cycology 8 days Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). 

 

Ursula’s front Continental Cross King had succumbed to the first flat, although I was relieved to find it the following morning, not mid ride. Time was short, so I plucked the fixed gear winter/trainer from its hanger and headed out for a faster-paced road blast.  

 

Ursula’s flat boiled down to a tiny hole near the tube’s seam and easily repairable, though I couldn’t find anything lodged within the tyre casing. I fitted another Cross King to the Alfine wheel and replaced the tube in the Ryde/SP wheel, switching the over for the time being until I found opportunity to wash and clean the tyre thoroughly. I couldn’t find any holes or cuts I the casing, so nothing to plug with superglue.  

 

The following day, my postman delivered this Cyc Plus AS2 Pro max mini, compressor- type inflator. This will deliver 120psi in around 7.5 seconds, which makes it a more practical option for road bikes and there’s an integral digital gauge, so you don’t ram this into a 26x2.0 maxing out at 65.  

 

Setting the pressure before you get going also means it will automatically shut off upon reaching that pressure. They claim it will inflate 7 29x2.2 mtb tyres from a single, full charge, which is also impressive. Measuring 54x32x81mm It may be a little big for jersey pockets but fine for bar bags and similar luggage. Will be interesting to see how it compares with the Fumpa pump FUMPA PUMP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)         

Easter Beatings

 Easter can be a cold and unpredictable period- Good Friday in particular. March has been bitterly cold and decidedly wet on these shores. Maybe I should head off for Hungary and capture some of the country’s beauty, the Czech Republic for the Pomlázka, perhaps...Ah but here’s the thing, a lot of British people put their cross in the wrong box during a pivotal vote in 2016.  

This means travelling to other destinations-especially in a commercial context got considerably trickier. I was also saddened to learn that Moore Large (distributors) went into administration- a brutally close-to-home reminder of just how difficult the UK’s economic climate has become.   

The weather has also put paid to some early-season weekend fun on The Teenage Dream and Holdsworth. I’d only washed and waxed Ursula the day before this photo was taken. A single ride through the green lanes and backroads saw her chainstay and bottom bracket region blasted with cack.  

Silver linings...Well, it proved the ideal opportunity to check (and tweak) the front mech and mudguard fasteners.  I also fitted the Teenage Dream’s Sun Race freewheel, rather than run the risk of the much-loved Regina BX blowing its guts at the least convenient moment.  

The Sun Race’s plated finish looks a little low rent, by comparison, but as Richard Ballantine so rightly said (in the context of derailleurs before anyone picks me up on it) better a fresh budget unit, than a top-flight model one shift from oblivion.  

Rear mech roulette lost its appeal many moons ago. Ditto spontaneous implosion of any kind, for that matter.  End of an era though. I’ve had that BX since 1991 and there’s a lot of memories woven into that. A lot of memories, hopes, dreams and indeed, unrequited stuff. Yes, that’s code for I’ve stashed it inside a transparent plastic sleeve and into the transmission parts box.  

Talking of which, after several months, I’m not sure the Smanie GT137’s channelling groove is completely compatible with mine, so I’ve switched Ursula back to the Selle Royal Respiro Sport Saddle.  The Smarie now ported over to the fixed’s Cane Creek Thudbuster ST TESTED: CANE CREEK THUDBUSTER ST SEATPOST (sevendaycyclist.com) to explore this hypothesis on one with a lower, more aggressive front end.  If the past few rides are anything to go by, reverting to the Respiro was the right decision.

During this phase, I also noted some minor side to side slop in the Kinekt 2.1 Aluminium Suspension Seatpost KINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). This was traced to the side link bolts and easily dialled snug with a 3mm Allen key- glad I checked. It has tightened performance a notch and loss would be very inconvenient. 

Replacements are available and inexpensive Side Link Bolts – KINEKT Store (cirruscycles.com) but would’ve meant unnecessary time off the road. Easily avoidable too, more to the point. Note to self, check more frequently...    

Aside from the obvious-wanting to have machines at their optimum and getting the best from the riding experience, I’d argue these, and related processes of elimination also serves as a conduit for processing, and finding solutions to other, unrelated things. Including, but not limited to, financial matters, an issue at work, studies, career, relationship(s) etc.  

On a brighter note, dawn's arrival has been progressively earlier, and the cooler temperatures mean I can get more miles from the winter/early season wardrobe. The Oxford Venture Windproof Gillet has certainly earned its keep OXFORD VENTURE WINDPROOF GILET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) ditto these Funkier Aqua Gents Pro Water Repellent TightsFUNKIER AQUA GENT'S PRO TIGHTS | cycling, but not usually racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

Water-repellent tights will hold heavier rain back. Whereas I might start to feel soggy in traditional tights give an hour’s moderate rain, or persistent drizzle, I’ve returned primarily dry, given 2.5. That said a bib tight is always the best choice, since they offer better protection to the lower back and vital organs. 

I’m also thinking these retro reflective claw-type Carnac gloves were an inspired choice. Padding density is good for most riding contexts-including green lanes and light trails. The retro-reflective silver effect is great when signalling, or just being picked up by other vehicle headlights.  Dexterity might be an issue for some and if you’re seeking something a little less niche’ Steve found a lot to like about the 360 Dry Waterproof Gloves. 360Dry Waterproof Gloves | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

I’m still attached to Altura Night Vision. They’re starting to look a little lived in, dare we say characterful, but perform well in the waterproof and relatively breathable sense. They will also accept liner-type gloves for when the temperature’s really tanking but you don’t want too much bulk.  

Otherwise, 4-12 degrees is their comfortable operating range. Until recently, the roads have been wet enough to consume the Muc-Off Wet Lube in 280 miles, which is still very respectable, given the conditions and on par with the Weldtite TF2 Performance All Weather Lubricant TF2 PERFORMANCE ALL WEATHER LUBRICANT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) in comparable settings. I’ve been traversing single-track lanes and waterlogged back roads with a bit of town work, for good measure. In common with others, it needs to be stripped with your anti-lube of choice before reapplying.  

This is good practice with lubes generally. However, some more traditional wet types are receptive to a quick “cat-lick” before being topped up. More sophisticated formulas tend to react and become mucky drivetrain-gobbling potions. Not what most of us would consider desirable.  

Weldtite very kindly sent me some of their bike cleaner concentrate to brew up my own strength bike washes and of course, to use neat-as a degreaser.