Sticky Fingers

A few weeks back, I established the Soma Condor https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma  swap was the icing on my Univega’s cake. No change in several hundred miles, since. However, the reclaimed Lizard Skins DSP bar tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/lizard-skins-dsp  was beginning to look slightly tired in places. Time was when a cable change meant the bar wrap (especially budget) was also bin fodder. Most bar tapes seem tolerant of being re/wound, even after they’ve weathered a bit.

Shot peened or sand blasted handlebars also seem to assist adhesion. However, the former process is generally employed to subvert potential stress fractures. The progressive availability of naturally sticky silicone wraps, including the Acros Silicone Wrap Handlebar Tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/acros-silicone-wrap-handlebar-tape?03991cc70fae5915&1a5858d9151d7237&455dde74ef8b80c5&4f3abceb41656d72&632cba28282213  and Genetic https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-silicone-bar-wrap  are easily rewound and reapplied following cable changes and are otherwise durable, too.

As an anecdotal average, I seem to get three cable changes from a mid to upper end adhesive backed bar tape. Around three thousand miles before the material begins looking jaded; loses its specialist properties; or shows more serious signs of fatigue. Leather is more durable (and usually with a consummate price tag).

With periodic use of hide food (which keeps the leather nourished and supple) I’ve had three years and six cable changes before contemplating replacement. Obviously not an option for vegan riders and often slippery to start with. Silicone and sophisticated polymer wrap also requires more care when cleaning.

Strong solvents and stiff brushes with often strip their coatings, or age them prematurely. I’ve found this Oxford Tyre Scrub https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-products-tyre-scrub  and Duck Smart The Black Stuff Chain Cleaner an excellent combination, for lifting ingrained grime. That said; we are talking a gentle, sustained pressure here.

Extra UK www.extrauk.co.uk  have kindly sent me this Fizik Vento Microtex Tacky Tape to test. According to Fizik, the Vento family are “Race bred tapes for ultimate control and reduced weight”. Apparently “The tacky film surface with raised texture facilitates grip in every condition”.

Its 2mm (compared with the Lizard Skins DSP’s 2.5mm) so the comparison will be interesting. Fizik also suggest the smaller density benefits riders with smaller hands. I have long willowy digits, so the latter benefit may be lost on me. However, on paper it’s a tangible benefit.  

There’s a definite knack to achieving graceful flowing lines. Bind carefully, patiently and when free of distraction. Unless of course, you’re a pro mechanic. Now pedants will say black and white are shades, not colours. 

I wasn’t sure whether the white would blend successfully with the Univega’s cream and black two-tone theme. However, by my reckoning, with the SPD pedals, Orp smart horn https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/orp-smart-horn and mudguard detailing, it works a treat. Some minor points aside, I’ve also reached my conclusions regarding the Prendas Ciclismo  Lisboa Waterproof Cycling Cap https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/prendas-ciclismo-lisboa-waterproof-

Continuing this waste not, want not narrative, I’ve decided to run the Weldtite TF2 All Weather Performance Lubricant for the time being, see how many miles I can accumulate, before switching to the Juice Lubes Ceramic. The former is a mix of ISO oils, additives and PTFE, which keeps friction remarkably low.

Presumably it’s the additives keeping it stable in all temperatures. A Canadian rider reckons it’s the first lube he’s used, capable of remaining effective at minus 32 degrees. Viscosity also lends it very nicely to cleat/locking mechanisms, as a corrosion inhibitor for electroplated fasteners and even frame-ends.

PTFE is both friend and foe. The ubiquitous slippery compound is dirt cheap and very effective, in the friction busting stakes. Its also relatively toxic, hence I minimise my own exposure. Latex examination gloves are donned when applying greases and often when stripping lubes. Where possible, I avoid using PTFE based chain lubes in contexts where I’m riding close to rivers and similar waterways.   

Lighting permitting, I’ve always found myself riding faster at night and I’ve concluded it’s psychological. Gradients become smaller because you cannot perceive their size, in the same fashion you would, during daylight. Focus is upon maintaining a decent tempo. Dark roads also inspire a more reflective mood.

A means of processing complex thoughts and ideas. I usually return from a ride feeling energised and with a new sense of perspective. Copy I’ve been struggling with, often seems to write itself. I have recently been coming to terms with my elderly farm cat’s demise. Kidney and cardiovascular failure forced the issue.  All we can ask for is a fulfilling life and a merciful end. He had both.  

I’m also an introvert. A much maligned and misunderstood personality type. Contrary to popular misconception, introverts are not shy, or socially awkward. People intrigue me and I consider myself adept at reading people and their motivations. Engaged, loquacious and emotionally intelligent, in professional contexts, I also need time to retreat and recharge. Long steady night rides are an obvious conduit.

Tempered Frustrations

With the arrival of my thirty-ninth year swept some serious introspection and longing for greater professional achievement, while still grounded in the reality that temping remains a necessary, albeit sometimes deeply dissatisfying part of my economic diet. Petty frustrations have been eroding my resolve and self-indulgent as this sounds, the prospect of having to attend an organisation awash with consultants and managerial competence broadly on terms with the long defunct British Leyland certainly isn’t helping.

This is tempered by economic pragmatism and softened with the steady stream of very fetching kit gracing my doorstep in recent weeks. Leather saddles and accessories such as this Derwent from Harrogate based SPA cycles; commuter plus lighting from Blackburn, Cat-Eye, Electron, Knog and Lezyne have all been keeping the Univega and I churning through the lonesome lanes. Some divine force must’ve been looking upon me favourably the other evening since I’d left said tubby tourer outside all night (!) but thankfully found it still resting by the garage door come the morning…Things could’ve been so different and I can’t think how I’d forgotten to tuck my two wheeled friend safely away. 

Commuter plus rechargeable lighting designed for suburban saunters by day and faster paced road outings come the evening have been a notable growth market in recent years, with ever more lumens and sleeker styling to boot. Tipping the scales at 183g (including li-on battery) this Swedish Silva Pave’ lamp belts out 550 lumens in top for back road scratching, yet has a standard and flashing settings ideally suited to sub/urban contexts. Intelligent light is another term that’s been banded about for a few seasons too.

We’ve commonly understood this to mean a system that automatically kicks down to conserve power, thus greatly reducing incidents of unexpected failure. However, in this context, it refers to the deployment of both flood and spot beams simultaneously. Despite some initial scepticism, it’s pretty close to being best of both worlds and works particularly well atop a lid. Slightly underpowered as a main lamp for singletrack duties, it’s bang on for the sticks and offers decent economy between five-hour mains charging.  Continued, positive feedback in relation to my interviews and similar magazine development is another positive facet that bolsters my mood.

Joshua is presently contributing to this earlier sense of anxiety, having disengaged from the school curriculum and seemingly entering a parallel, Lego derived universe (similar in nature to my legendary teenage two wheeled classroom escapes). Prolonged but generally constructive discourse with his class and head teachers confirms they too are acutely aware of his academic potential but cannot fathom this particular set of behaviours either.

   

Mathematics seems to be a major mental block and in my view, the catalyst but I’m at a loss how to help him overcome his sense of panic aside from encouraging him to talk to me on the one hand, while incorporating very small components of applied numerecy in everyday and sometimes cycling contexts. Having indulged in some new camera equipment, I’ve passed an old Fuji to him-there’s plenty of creative scope and he’s certainly engaging with it for sustained periods-mostly in semi automatic P setting.

This leads me nicely to these Mac Wet sports gloves, not cycling specific but highly suited to the great outdoors, they’re increasingly developing a strong following amongst the photographic community thanks to their wind and water repellent fabrics. The latter, known as Aquatec also ensures leach like grip when conditions turn distinctly soggy but mercifully also breathes; thus avoiding clammy digits. Padding is virtually non-existent so not ideal for long outings over inclement road surfaces, although double as neat liners for breathable winter gloves. Right I’m off to chase the blues away, put some more miles on the Nidd and lights through their paces.