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)         

Rough With the Rough

Implosions often seem to strike when we least expect them and always at the least convenient moments. Our story begins at 5.25am. Ursula and I had just exited a dark junction, turning left, I gently accelerated when there was this sickening implosion. My heart sank, thinking it was the chain that had failed.  

Coasting to a halt, I switched on the Brightside topside helmet light BRIGHTSIDE TOPSIDE HELMET LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) to discover the Sun Race Driven mech had basically self-combusted. In the dark, and my shocked state, it looked like this suicidal mech had also claimed Ursula’s Ritchey frame end. Either way, we had to get home, which basically translated as a six-mile run, wheeling Ursula by the bars. Made it back, in the pouring rain and saturated roads, within 30 minutes.  

Gently hanging her up, I was relieved to note frame end and wheel were unscathed- save for some minor paint damage. The derailleur’s threaded part, still lodged like a bee’s sting induced some head-scratching until I decided to drill it out. Well, large enough to insert a Torx driver and turning it counterclockwise.  

At least that was the plan.  

All was going well until I discovered my cordless drill’s Ni-CD battery was dead, Thankfully, I was able to source an inexpensive replacement (the drill in question is over 20 years old). This delayed things by a few days, so meantime, I gave the frame ends two light coats of high build phosphate primer, while I awaited a replacement battery and rear mech. 

 

In practice, this was a painstaking task, with some very anxious moments, but ultimately successful. Thankfully, I was able to drill out and essentially obliterate the riveted part, insert a corkscrew to provide suitable purchase and turn...  

 

I’ve gone for a short cage (28 tooth maximum) Shimano Tiagra. I spotted one at the right price and wasted no time in adding it to virtual cart. Not least since supply issues remain prevalent, which has also done nasty things to prices. Some folks are a bit sniffy about Tiagra. Now, it’s one step beneath 105, which was widely regarded as big S’s workhorse road groupset but in common with the STX & STX RC mountain bike groups, performance to price ratios are very favourable. Decent shifts, inexpensive in the event of a spill, and of course, winter.    

If that wasn’t enough, closer inspection of my beloved, mile-munching ford KA revealed some minor sill rot. Most of the section was solid but sanding back some bubbling revealed a collection of tiny holes. Thankfully, MPA Classics worked his magic- patched, welded, and primed for £40. I’ve since added two thin coats of phosphate-rich high-build primer for some additional peace of mind. A light coating was also added to Ursula’s frame ends, while I awaited the replacement drill battery.  

This delay meant a switch to my fixed gear winter/trainer and the torrential rains were perfect conditions for evaluating the Mudhugger Gravel Guards. Coverage and protection are surprisingly good, due in part to their length and profile. Waterlogged roads, driving rain, and gusty winds meant maintaining momentum was my primary focus but, having returned, I was pleasantly surprised by how dry my legs, back, and buttocks were. No gritty raccoon stripe either.    

 

There’s been some minor spatter atop the guards and around the frame’s wishbone, but we are talking minor, which was even more remarkable, given the monsoon conditions.  The mounting kit also seems very reliable and crucially, chatter-free. Still got a couple of hundred miles before I arrive at a more rounded conclusion. Times are very strange here in the UK, on a wider level. Supply chain issues are making goods, even basic staples harder, or at least slower to acquire.  

A lack of skilled people within several sectors of the economy is also compounded by those who have long been redundant and irrelevant to contemporary employers. Left behind, we might say. This has been a slow, incremental process spanning decades.  for example,25 years ago, Ford would not consider a Dagenham school leaver for the most basic job on the track.  

A stark contrast to the entrenched belief that school/academic attainment wasn’t crucial, since there’d always be a job on the line, at the body plant.  Car plants paid well for semi-skilled, assembly line work. As Honda were winding up their Swindon factory, I heard machine operators (not skilled machinists) had been earning £20ph and now struggling to comprehend that they should expect £9 on the open market. However, when big, or main employers go, it’s the ripples-the loss felt by the wider, local economies that is the most brutal and enduring.