Tight Fits

¾ lengths, tights and fluro training jackets have been the order of this week thanks to falling temperatures, cobalt skies and regular cloudburst. These GT are old favourites, staples, entering their fourteenth year of service. Had a sibling pair, though these were written off during a  tangle with terra-firma  back in December 2001.

After some further deliberation and experimentation, I’ve acquired a remote trigger for the Geonaute, thus overcoming the push button lottery when seeking to capture short action sequences.

This is a genuine part-I’ve had mixed results pairing pattern triggers and still cameras, so wasn’t prepared to risk buying twice and wasting money.  A receptive range of five metres gives plenty of scope.

Handlebar was the most obvious choice but since I regularly alternate between fixer and tubby tourer (let alone test mounts), tethering via crocodile clip to nelson/breast pockets of my various technical jackets seemed a better solution.

This avoids potential interference with wireless computers and makes best use of said action cam’s user friendly features. Therefore, £12 well spent, bringing the running total to £162. Question is; can I resist further, organic upgrading-bolt on playback screens, spare Li-on cells and similar goodies? 

Frankly, it’s a matter of reining myself in and maximising its existing potential.

While primarily purchased with a positive ride-capturing mind-set, it would appear road users of all denominations are increasingly acquiring action cams to demonstrate poor/dangerous road craft and mitigate themselves from any wrong-doing.

Anecdotally, the past few outings suggest drivers are more aware of the helmet mounting, thus overtake and generally behave more graciously, though there remains a hardcore of “punishment passers” and not just cars/commercial vehicles.

Curiously enough, some lone riders sporting club colours have literally overtaken within a hairs’ breadth of my elbow, despite turning a steady 18-20mph and clear, wide roads. Thankfully, they’re very much the exception and usually strike when I’m aboard the Univega…

Frankly, policing other people’s behaviour, or discussing the finer points of road etiquette aren’t my fortes, thus I simply respond with a polite, cheery greeting and hustle along at 80-90rpm.  

By contrast, I’m drawn to other people’s lighting systems-blinkies in particular have a really hypnotic effect along unlit roads characterised by dense, overhanging forestry.  

Driving home at dusk the other evening, I slowed behind a rider winching himself along the intensifying incline. Dropping the KA into second and easing past with a ten foot gap, I admired the 29er but was most captivated by the pulsing of his high power lamp.

Indicating and gradually easing back to the left, glancing in the rear view mirror confirmed they were using either a Magic Shine MJ808-E, or One23 Extreme Bright 1000-my fixer’s default see-by winter lamp.

Despite a slightly low-rent lens and reflector, its’ surprising just how spellbinding this sort of output is and how effectively the aluminium headlamp diffuses glare. Some uber systems can be painfully uncomfortable for the rider, let alone other road users or small mammals.

Nonetheless, I’ve resurrected its 2000lumen sibling, which also offers phenomenal bang for very modest buck. However, my sample was let down by a slightly whippy bracket that chattered annoyingly over washboard tarmac. Introducing some silicone putty to proceedings has cured this particular ill.

Talking of lights, while my latest temp gig keeps the lights on and cupboards relatively full, it’s not “feeding my soul” and fuelling some underlying frustrations. Therefore, the solution lies in a creative role capable of nurturing existing soils. 

Staffer’s jobs, let alone anything contract or part time have become rare as hen’s teeth. Time for some serious miles to stimulate lateral thought and those all important reactive sparks...

Candid Camera

Helmet cams have always stirred mixed emotions in me. For the most part positive-the quest to document rides in their full 1080HD glory. GO PRO’s various generations have become pretty much the standard by which all are judged and I was really impressed by the Hero2 a couple of years back. 

However, choppy financial waters precluded purchase and last year’s end of line Delkin Wingman indulgence proved false economy.

Thirteen months hence and I’m eager to avoid throwing good money after bad, yet enticed by a sub £100 Geonaute boasting 1080HD, 5mpxl stills and user-friendly design... 

Now, direct comparisons with GO-Pro’s Hero series are perhaps inevitable, although misleading-rather akin to comparing entry level and enthusiast CSC cameras. Image quality is very good, though not in giant killing territory, colours aren’t quite so accurate and vignetting’s apparent in certain lights. Build seems reassuringly sturdy- I’d rather pay extra for a bolt-on LCD playback screen and protective casing than see corners cut structurally.  

Minoura Le Korde proved a delightful handlebar host for dry weather reportage but the G-Eye escape’s centre mounted lens is incompatible with Hero and Wingman polycarbonate shells alike, so you’ll need to invest in a model specific unit.

Supposedly water resistant to 60metres, it seals completely tight, precluding attachment to mini bar pods…Experimenting with some redundant (though complete) blinky brackets came close, yet ultimately unsatisfactory thus I resigned myself to shelling out a further (and final!) £20 on this nicely machined K-edge “Go big” aluminium unit.

Much better than watching my new companion expire in a series of R2D2 esque bleeps come the first hint of drizzle or exploding on contact with terra firma. Alas, I must confess these optical investments were borne from a series of near misses and “Punishment Passes” yet I’m hopeful engaging reportage stuff will prove its staple diet. Knog are due to launch an LED lighting companion for nocturnal filmmaking this autumn-something I was quick to register interest in-hopefully I’ll get chance to put one through its paces very soon.  

To the uninitiated, “punishment passing” is an act of intimidation used by some drivers to communicate their contempt for cyclists. This takes several forms, though usually involves overtaking with, or swinging back prematurely, leaving inches, sometimes less to spare.

The latest encounter involved a long wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter van emblazoned with tarmac supplier’s livery passing a hairs’ breadth from my handlebars (along a series of tight bends no less). Happy to give them and others some free publicity here; or via you-tube.  

Staying with commercial vehicles a moment, I found myself equally confounded by a communication informing me that a “global logistics company” who regularly drive by and occasionally deliver to my house, cannot find me and need directions! Hmm, no-one else, let alone the larger, established firms have any trouble whatsoever. While generally a constructive, pragmatic soul, I won’t entertain incompetence-especially on a professional level. 

Summer doesn’t officially end until October 31^st, yet it’s beginning to feel peri autumnal here; temperatures and daylight dip quite suddenly past 20.00, turning one’s mind to lighting. I recently completed a long term test of this One23 Extreme bright 1000 for a new publication and it’s yet another illustration of how competent, yet affordable contemporary high power systems are.

Once burdened with hefty, temperature sensitive lead acid cells that returned 2, maybe 3hrs from a full eight hour mains charge. These days £80 buys bijous li-ons capable of fuelling 1000 lumen lamps for nigh on four hours and 15 in the lower, which is capable enough for speedy semi-rural navigation, let alone cross town commuting.

Cheaper lens and reflector components mean some compromises where beam purity’s concerned and a few £150 plus 650 lumen models produce higher quality light, thus it wouldn’t be my first choice off-road. However, there’s ample clout for spooky unlit lanes to around 28mph.

Some will argue this is relatively expensive in the global age. Yes, you can get lucky, acquiring outwardly identical designs for considerably less. However, quality of output varies and electricals/charging equipment won’t necessarily meet domestic standards either. Official imports are easily replaced or repaired under warrantee and provided you’ve proof of purchase, competent local bike shops/distributors will handle any warrantee woes.

Attending the capital to watch one of Kate Bush’s live theatrical masterpieces persuaded me to bring my less desirable travel compact along. This was remarkably liberating since it still takes decent images yet is old and (relatively) inexpensive not to instil the same theft anxiety associated with CSCs. 

Alas, the enigmatic performer stipulated no unofficial image-taking (stills or otherwise) I was still able to sneak eighty odd photographs of well and poorly laden/ secured machines within an hour to illustrate further, forthcoming features.