Wouldn't You Know It

 

Having replenished the grease and attached the Ritchey WCS perch, I decided the USE Sumo post should sit pride of place in the fixed gear winter/trainer. Everything slid together effortlessly, thanks to the precision USE shim. I ported the Klick fix mount over the WCS rails, checked everything was at the correct height, correctly aligned and torqued before reattaching the Axiom City Plus. Talking of fitting and switching contact points, here’s my review of the Oxford Mint Assembly Grease Oxford Mint Assembly Grease | cycling-not-racing 

 

I needed to drop Denise's post by a few millimetres, since my leg was extended too far and quick dab downs were also less predictable. Timely too since I met a boisterous young Alsatian called “Cooper” off the lead and whose owners seemed casually disinterested. I was immediately reminded of Richard Ballantine’s remarks about dogs and other creatures of the field and air being a menace to the cyclist... 

 

Cooper eventually trotted off with the couple. I’d dismounted at this point, resting Denise against the tree by her bars, so no danger of being knocked off by a hound high on life. I’d been bitten by an Alsatian on two separate occasions during my adult life, so though not fearful, I’m very mindful. My silence was also a quiet contempt for the owners and their elected indifference.   

 

I stood reflecting on the 120tpi WTB Nano’s performance, relative to their 60tpi stablemates, my decision to drop the saddle height before heading out and my continued appreciation of the Gorewear C5 GORE-TEX Thermo Gloves. I’ve also switched over to Tubolite TPU tubes and decided I wanted greater cornering prowess, so switched the Shimano PD ED500 pedals Shimano PD ED 500 Pedals | cycling-not-racing for the Wellgo MO94B WELLGO MO94B SPD PEDALS | cycling-not-racing  which also represents a181g weight saving.  

 

Back in the saddle, I scooted off and hustled along the newly muddied lane and found myself concluding the Ergon SR All Road Core Comp Ergon SR All Road Core Comp Saddle Men | cycling-not-racing is genuinely more comfortable than the more basic (but still excellent) All Road Ergon SR All Road Men’s Saddle | cycling-not-racing  Other dogs and their owners were far more gracious, dare I say emotionally intelligent and received a suitably cordial greeting as we passed.  

 

Another thing I had been conscious of is some swaying of the Topeak Backloader. I’ve bund some old inner tube around the post with the hope of minimising any bob, or sway, while simultaneously protecting the USE SX posts’ anodised finish. Post mounted luggage of this kind is designed for bulky but crucially light loads and riders with any experience will mount heavier items low. I’ve followed this narrative, as you’d hope. I’ve stashed several tubes, Muc-Off Pump, small multi tool and CycPlus AS2 Pro Max E.Pump CycPlus AS2 Pro Max E.Pump | cycling-not-racing inflator which is well within the acceptable and indeed, maximum payload. Now, I’m quick to confirm this is minor sway, not samba dancing. Despite substantial Velcro closures, uber litre designs are prone to sway, due in part to length and their lofty position- the main reason I err away from them.  

 

Dynamos rule the roost when it comes to my four seasons’ bikes, but I always carry a compact rechargeable light as backing singer/backup. I was suitably impressed with Ravemen LR 1000Ravemen LR 1000 Curved Lens Front Light | cycling-not-racing and was curious about the brands K series. Enter the most powerful 1800lumen unit here. There are some obvious similarities with the LR1600, most obviously, the sensored technology. In this instance, its two tiered and incorporates AI (Artificial intelligence). The daytime running mode will select the intensity it feels appropriate, while the AI learns the lighting conditions on your routes and tailors things between 100 and 180-lumens accordingly.  

 

Obviously, the wireless remote means you’re not beholden and can override to taste. Then of course, there are the features we’ve come to expect from Ravemen. IPX7 for weatherproofing, solid CNC machined casing and the ability to charge phones and similar gizmos from the port and you can also plug in a power bank, should reserves dwindle. In common with some of the smaller LR family, I’m not completely taken with the mount.  

 

By no means poor, it's quick to whip on/off, which is convenient for commuting and other contexts where bikes can be unattended for periods of time. However, on balance I prefer the more substantial versions employing Allen keys common to the PR series and LR1600 Ravemen LR1600 Front Light | cycling-not-racing.          

       

What of the 120tpi Nano, then...Well, I’ve noticed their improved compliance over their otherwise likeable 60tpi counterparts, switching to a TPU tube up front has also brought some tangible benefits on the compliance front, especially at the higher end of their 50psi pressure range. The Nano aren’t intended for gloopy mud synonymous with a British, or indeed, Belgian winter cross meet but seem to behave in excellent proportion across moderate, greasy mud.  I'll close for now with my review of The MagicshineSeeMee100AD Radar Detection Tail Light Magicshine SeeMee 100 Tail Light | cycling-not-racing    

Timing, Resilience, Repairs & Riding

 

Opportunity presented, so I finally managed to prep and box Ursula ready for sending to Winston Vaz for repair, modernisation and refinishing. Watching the tracking service left me feeling distinctly nervous, given nothing seemed to be happening. However, it was insured and at this stage, beyond my control. Winston advised it had arrived safely on the Friday morning, which was a very welcome relief.   

There has been a lot of change in 2024, and I alternate between academic fascination and a pronounced sense of alarm. The political climate and a pronounced lurch to the right is seeing the more extreme, popularism taking its lead from the Nazi playbook in 1930s Germany. At its simplest, the way to defeat popularism is by improving people’s quality of life so those who would sow division, misinformation, and hate for their own ends have little platform.  

I was heartened to see communities coming together, fighting back against those who had come to cause destruction and distress. Those claiming to know their country and “fighting” for a mythical England that never existed were ignorant enough to bring their brand of hatred and destruction to Liverpool. An area with a long and rich history of diversity and resistance. Bring trouble and the discord will be very palpable.  

I fear the far right, dare I say, fascists within the UK will turn their hatred towards settled migrant communities. Those who have come from Africa, the Carribean, the Indian subcontinent lived peacefully, worked incredibly hard and made hugely positive contributions, for several generations.   

I’m described as a quiet soul many commenting that they wouldn’t play poker with me. True on both counts. Nonetheless, people have always fascinated me. Someone recently looked me in the eye and asked, “Are you tough?”  I paused for a moment and replied, “resilient”  

There has been a narrative doing the rounds for some time about the need for men to “open up”.  Great, so long as men aren’t misguided enough to try it. I my experience, those that do are shunned and/or mocked. I have a small but permanent disconnect from the civilian world, an innocence permanently lost. There are other, darker episodes from my early adulthood, worked through and largely consigned to the vaults of history. Most people are completely unaware and will remain so. 

I will nod along to the confiding narrative, while staying sensibly silent, hop on a bike and purge my internal demons on the roads or trails. Fittingly, I spotted a new byway to explore on Denise, while on a road closed deviation aboard the Holdworth. The following day, on the return loop of an outing aboard Denise, curiosity got the better of me.  

The concrete section ran for around half a mile (0.8km) and reminiscent of an airfield, this gave way to green lane, where Denise’s Maxxis Maxxis Ravager TR Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and WTB pairing were in their element, providing a great balance of speed, traction and compliance. To the left was clearly signposted as private land but ahead, the trail seemed to continue for two miles or so.  

Deadlines and similar meant these would need to be explore another day so I headed back along the dry, dusty track and ultimately whizzed back home along the lanes, vowing to return.   

The following day, I did and discovered one fork led to an active airfield and took the other route, which was green lane leading to a busy A road. There were other paths but as before, playtime was nearing an end. Homeward bound. Having returned, I took the opportunity check chain health .5, which probably means another month’s riding before I pension off.  

I also decided to give some of Ursula’s drivetrain, specifically the aheadset, bottom bracket and forks a deep clean using the NZero Degreaser. It’s proving a highly effective formula that will gobble relatively stubborn petrochemical products, including greases and my home brewed, “Hillbilly Waxoyl”.  

Slower than some perhaps and I left the Tiagra rear mech marinating overnight-since now was the time, but I’d sooner that over caustic formulas that will chomp seals, scar composites and generally ruin expensive components. I’ve  

Since Ursula’s refurbishment includes a rear disc brake upgrade, I also took this opportunity to switch the left Tektro RL340 lever for an RL520 and to find the TRP HY-RD calliper, mounts etc. I’m not planning to change much, since components are replaced regularly and most here, relatively new. I also discovered a Clarks CMD22 calliper. This is a dual-piston cable operated model, like TRP SPYRE. Hmm... 

I may substitute the Stronglight Aheadset for an FSA I have in stock, and I’ll go for a new 10speed bar con, but otherwise, save for the upgrades, and a better rear mudguard, it’ll be a question of new consumables- cables, chain, possibly some new bar tape and a saddle swap. 

Talking of which, Cycology has sent me their 8 Days Cycling gloves, which are what most of us would consider a mitt with the 8-day pattern, which matches both Ursula and the Holdsworth’s bar wrap.  Padding is foam, relatively thick but without being bulbus like some gels can. By contrast, the “Life behind bars” full-finger mtb gloves, which have a single layer synthetic leather palm but no official padding.  

This is apparently for optimal feel and control, so will be interesting to see how well they protect against vibration and similar discomfort, especially on longer rides. That said; some padding can induce precisely the discomfort they supposedly alleviate. As ever, miles will tell- one way or another. Meantime, here’s my review of the CycPlus AS2 PRO MAX E Pump CycPlus AS2 Pro Max E.Pump | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)