Bouncing Back

Having recovered from side-effects associated with the second COVID shot, I found myself contemplating some front-end revision. Now, I’m a HUGE fan of the Soma Condor TEST: SOMA CONDOR HANDLEBAR (sevendaycyclist.com) and Condor2SOMA CONDOR 2 SHALLOW DROP BARS | (sevendaycyclist.com) bars. The former is absolutely bang-on for Ursula-in every respect. Ok, so why swap the condor2 for these Gametic D-riser4 GENETIC DRISER 4 HANDLEBARS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), then?  

I've run both on my fixed gear winter trainer and for some miles.  

However, the D-riser are uniformly oversized across the top section, thus making accessories easier to fit, and to my eye, has an aesthetic edge. The lower profile not only looks sharper, it allows me to hunker lower, out of the headwind (without being nose against the stem or in snake’s testicle territory)  

Prior to this Eureaka moment, I was pondering returning to the Kinekt stem and inspecting the outer cable’s condition beneath the bar wrap. I’d also noticed the otherwise grippy silicone has slipped in places, so I needed to partially rewind it, in any case. Rather than procrastinate, an hour later, everything was switched, checked, and ready to ride. 

The D-Riser 4 have a very subtle flare. More so than their D-Riser 16GENETIC D RISER 16 BARS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) stablemates, which lends them best to road duties. For the uninitiated “flare” refers to the degree by which a handlebar slopes outward.  

Gravel/Adventure bikes usually sport drops with quite pronounced flare, which provide greater stability, and ultimately control, when riding on the drops, off-road. Elsewhere, although along similar lines, after a few filthy rides, it was time to give Ursula a good sudsy bucket wash. This presented the ideal opportunity to check and purge anything abrasive from the brake pads and enhance the front brake’s performance slightly.  

Around the same time as the bar swap struck, I was giving serious thoughts to upgrading Ursula's existing Selcoff post in favour of the plush Kinekt 2.1KINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). I had planned this a while back, but the seat tube needed a comprehensive cleaning first, to avoid scratching the shim and post. Not a complex job but quite time-consuming and best performed without risk of interruption/distraction. I used some 180-grit sandpaper, rather than a powered abrasive. Pedestrian but infinitely preferable to removing too much metal.   

50 minutes later, the Kinekt shim glided inside. I introduced some of the Peaty's Assembly paste to the post, then slid it in situ and torqued the seat collar snug. I have refitted the Zefal Adventure R5 Waterproof Saddle Bag ZEFAL ADVENTURE R5 WATERPROOF SADDLE BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), while I hunted around for the Carradice SQR mount and (only to discover the clips were showing obvious signs of fatigue).  

Thankfully replacements are readily, and cheaply available) the Carradice CARRADICE CARRADRY SQR BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) . Reversion might sound odd but the Kinekt’s protruding suspension components will wear through the Zefal’s top section. The SQR can be mounted lower, thus avoiding this problem. A formative 20-mile blast purged any post-creep anxieties, although confirmed suspicions that I’d set it a few millimetres too tall.  

Easily sorted upon my return- could've done mid-ride but didn’t want to tempt binder bolt bother miles from home. This wouldn’t usually be something I’d give a second thought, but I’d gone for a budget bolt of unknown quantity since that was all, I had “in stock” of the correct length and diameter.   

As I have said in earlier entries, getting components/spares has been increasingly tricky, partly due to the global pandemic but the impact of Brexit cannot be underestimated, either.  

The sudden and complete dismantling of any restrictions here in the UK is likely to induce unprecedented levels of infection, with lasting social and indeed, economic consequences. I have bought new supplies of PPE (masks with filters and aerosol-based santisers) and on a different note, maintenance sprays and other workshop products, while prices and supplies were favourable.   

Talking of favourable, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the performance of the Peaty’s Link Lubes- dry and all-weather alike. The dry is closest to an emulsion/wax and has returned a decent mileage from a single application, well past 300 miles, and that included some decidedly wet, gritty backroads. In the higher temperatures, there’s no hint of it being temperature-sensitive in the melting sense.  

The All conditions is essentially a middleweight wet formula. One that I’ve found particularly effective on the fixed. It seeps deep within the links and clings to the rollers tenaciously, serene silence, albeit it attracts a little more contaminant than some.  

Talking of attraction, it seems that a previous low-paying, high-stress, and socially isolating career is drawing unwanted attention. There has long been a recruitment and retention problem within social care. There are several core reasons for this, at least in the UK. Appalling work/life balance, perception of it being unskilled (and paid accordingly) are major detractions.  

Recessions help in this respect, but observations and personal experience of the sector suggest these problems have remained consistent, for at least 25 years. Thankfully, it’s not an industry (or indeed era in my life) I have any intention of revisiting. However, the attitudes towards our most vulnerable are in my view, a barometer of the society we are living in.  The re by the grace of God some would say. Indeed, the long-term implications for young adults experiencing, or susceptible to long COVID are yet to be realised. 

     

Daybreak Escapes & Other Deviations from The Script

 No matter how well you look after things, components, accessories and clothing eventually wears out. No sooner had I said so, the Cat-Eye Quick Computer’s head unit battery expired! Over to a well-known auction site for a pack of replacement cells. The Tubby tourer’s Minoura camera mount came out in protest jettisoning the cork base, while I was hustling along a backroad at 5am. Since the pandemic, I’ve erred towards early morning escapes since it’s cool and roads are relatively deserted.  

I won’t buy a replacement (assuming they’re available). A quick scrabble around the spares’ tins unearthed a rubber washer, of comparable dimensions., which will do the job for the time being. I may find something more refined. I saw a Joby unit offered at a considerable discount, but unlike their Gorilla pods, this looked decidedly low rent, particularly alongside the Minoura.  

Technically, summer runs until the close of October. However, circumstances have led me to revisit the Juice Lubes Ceramic Juice, arguably giving it a fairer crack of the whip. I'd run it several weeks during a rather damp winter and performance was still very reasonable, given its blended for dry to damp conditions. Talking of which, its closer to a wet in terms of consistency but seems stable in temperatures between +25 and –2.  

Three-minute curing times are another definite plus, making it a more practical choice for roadside reapplication-touring and indeed commuting-on those mornings where you’ve hit snooze and are playing catch up. Based upon the 225 miles per application during a wet and dreary December, I’m leaning towards 400 through a primarily arid August.  

There are drier ceramic blends, there’s also some evidence of it congealing around the jockey wheels and side plates but much less than some traditional wax types and it will be interesting to see whether this falls away or lingers with use. 

Thankfully, there have been some periodic, heavy downpours, which have given me the opportunity to assess the water-resistance of the FLR Rexston shoes, which I am really warming too, for general riding, not just gravel flavoured outings. 

Talking of which, Steve has been suitably impressed by these Showers Pass Gravel Shorts https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/showers-pass-gravel-shorts 

Gravel shorts take various forms. From evolutions from the messenger/mtb long hybrid type, designed to be worn atop regular Lycra, to those, such as these Polaris Challenge Nexus Ride Shorts https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/polaris-challenge-nexus-ride-shorts . 

A rear zippered pocket and an elasticated one on the thigh are the obvious deviations from traditional road-biased Lycra. However, these and other models I’ve been testing recently also seem to be made from a heavier weave. Yes, a no-brainer in some respects, given the increased likelihood of a spill.  

 

 

Save for an undignified incident, racing at the old Eastway Cycle Circuit, I’ve never torn a pair of shorts off road but there’s a lot to be said for a heavier yarn in these and indeed, touring contexts. “Gravel” models are also intended for touring and other forms of endurance riding too, if the former seemed like marketing hype. 

Need some ride inspiration? Why not have a look at Steve’s three counties day escape  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/a-day-cycling-in-three-counties  > Thinking of investing in an E-Bike? here’s Richard’s test of the Kalkhoff Entice 3B https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/kalkhoff-entice-3b-e-bike  

 

I digress, back to the Juice Lubes Ceramic Chain Juice...    

Friction is refreshingly low, and this is very apparent when snatching away at the lights, or when the transmission is otherwise underload-dropping three gears on a sharp climb, for example.   

It can also be used on cables and cleat mechanisms, which is handy by the roadside, although otherwise, I’m always inclined toward maintenance sprays such as their JL69https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/juice-lubes-jl when it comes to keeping cables and mechanisms slick. Elsewhere, See Sense have sent me their Multi Tube and Sun God, their   Velans sunglasses-modelled by Miriam.