Petting the Hedgehog

 Generally speaking, I hold up pretty well during the cold, wet and sometimes icy months but I’ve been finding riding in perpetual darkness tricky of late, so I mixed things up a little. Midwinter is also a season of temptation and er, sometimes five-minute wonders. Tempered in my case by outgoings, and cost-benefit discipline. Want versus Need, at its simplest.  

The Holdsworth’s fork is a modest expense with genuine benefits. The mighty KA was due for servicing and two new front tyres. They were still within the legal limit but safety’s not something I mess with, particularly during winter. 

Admin and emails before 7.30 and out riding come sunrise. I enjoy the changing seasons- always have and though I can cope in hot, humid conditions, there’s a lot to be said for cooler weather. People’s tempers seem more even, and, on the bike, I can don, or remove additional layers.   

Some of you will notice a pink theme creeping in. Now, I wouldn’t have a frameset finished in pink, nor is it a colour I’m traditionally drawn to. Much will also depend on the shade. However, I’m perfectly secure in my masculinity, so not overly fazed when a manufacturer sends me something- bar tape, bar bag, jersey with a subtle hue, or theme.  

Contrasts nicely with Ursula’s cream and black colourway and of course, the Holdsworth’s “French” blue (RAL 5024). I was also suitably taken with the Giant Continuum 9 function wireless computer, that I’ve acquired another. Not least since it’s bankrupt stock and pink is cheaper than the alternative colours by several quid.  

There are a few devices l personally prefer to be disconnected from the internet. Bar-mounted computers are cases in point. Phones and other technology spy on us- for some reason, I’m being offered prostrate massagers, laxatives, inflatable companions, commodes via Ali Express. Hmm...Can only be that grunting on those long climbs... I digress...   

Ursula and the Holdsworth sported 80’s pink/black spatter Bike Ribbon in the past-£1 from a bargain bin dive. Peugeot and a couple of small-scale British frame builders offered framesets with a black and pink theme too.      

UK media hysteria about snow blasts, white outs and complete chaos have in this corner thus far, translated as minus 6 and plenty of ice. Not an issue with the right kit- Ursula's shod with the spikes, I’m wearing long sleeve base layers, Belgian style caps (greater coverage for the ears) softshell jacket, Oxford Venture Gilet, or if the wind’s really biting this Madison Roam 2.5 Madison Roam 2.5 Layer Waterproof Jacket | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  Waterproof socks and gloves are another definite plus, while glasses shield the eyes from windblast, sleet and debris. Amber lenses are reckoned to reduce glare and make it easier to see in low light. There's suggestion these also enhance the mood and anecdotally, I’ll agree.   

The invisiFrame Protectant is proving a remarkably effective barrier against, wet, gritty, corrosive stuff and I’ve been very surprised at just how clean Ursula has remained after much mixed terrain fun. Judging by this Bell Avenue, it works equally well on matt polycarbonate finishes.  

Titanium is a little trickier though. Matt, “submarine” greys are fine but those with a satin hue required more enthused buffing to remove any haze- the Holdsworth’s Torus stem being a case in point. I took that opportunity to dress its Coefficient Wave Carbon Handlebars COEFFICIENT WAVE HANDLEBAR | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) with Cycology 8-day Handlebar tape. The outer, silicone-based coating means it’s a little tricker than some to get tucked into the end and needs a firm, even pressure. That said; it’s hardly challenging to fit. I’m enjoying the Cycology See Me Pink Handlebar bag.  

It’s made from a sturdy waterproof 900d polyester with a waterproof zipper and 2.4 litre carrying capacity. There’s also a carry strap for convenience off the bike. Internally it has a relatively large “open plan” main and a zippered “valuables” stash within the wall- change, keys and other stuff you don’t want going AWOL. Given the bitterly cold, icy snap, the fixed has been enjoying a rest.  

One quirk I have noticed with the Topeak DX rack is that to adjust the chain tension, with the present chain tugs requires removing the rack from the eyelets (since the legs sit proud and obstruct). The obvious, although relatively pricey option was to go for another set of MKS NJS chain tugs. Nice, but I decided I’d take a punt on some auction site specials, which looked to be of the genuinely cheap but cheerful variety. The supplier claimed UK stock and in fairness, they arrived within a week. Time will tell but if these fail, I’ll take the MKS route.   

Midwinter Retrospective

Christmas is always a tricky time for me, and for many, my desire to hunker down and reflect peacefully can be quite perturbing. Those close to me know there’s nothing to worry about and generally leave me to emerge, in my own time.  

Christmas morning and the child-like wonder gripped me. Time for the first outing with Ursula’s newly built dyno hub wheel. Due in part, to the Schwalbe Landcruiser being a few hundred grams lighter than the ultra-dependable Schwalbe Marathon 365, acceleration was refreshingly brisk, despite the wind.  

There had been little relent in the rainfall for a few nights and overspill from the fields had formed small lakes along the lanes, resulting in the gentle swoosh as the Landshark and Mondial pairing cut through the greasy, mucky broth. No such thing as the wrong weather, only the wrong kit I mused, as rain rolled from the Oxford Venture jacket. 

The FLR defender booties and waterproof socks and a slightly lower gear kept blood flow and feet comfortable.  

Engaging the front Tektro based “franken canti” revealed all was well on the toe-in front. No squeal, judder or nastiness, just serene, progressive stopping. Formative impressions of the SD8 hub suggests characteristics are very similar to its SL9 sibling HALO EVURA & SHUTTER PRECISION SL9 DYNOHUB BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com)  in the sense output can dip a little at the lower speeds but I’ve had no issues at 14mph plus.  

I need to take this time to inspect the old Rigida Snyper rim for wear and pension off, as appropriate. The Snyper were a solid, cheerful touring hoop and mine has been super dependable over ten years and countless thousand miles down the line. If it is heading for the Great Bike Shop in the Sky, I think I’ll have the 13-year-old Shimano hub built into another Ryde Andra 40...  

But then, do I acquire a modern, disc brake hub as well, to “futureproof things” ...Hmm, best park that thought for now, there’s plenty going on.  I’ve been doing a little re-touch of the Project 2 fork-applied a thin coat of phosphate primer and several thin coats of gloss black paint, leaving several hours between them. I also applied a thin helping of hide food to leather saddles to keep them protected and nourished. This is something II generally do every six weeks with traditional leather saddles, although some brands recommend longer intervals, which I observe. CARING FOR LEATHER SADDLES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)   

As we weaved around the twisting bends, up ahead a family of red deer crossed the road and an Oxford/BMW Mini lay stricken in a ditch. Stopping confirmed it had been abandoned- no one was trapped inside, so I continued our otherwise silent and uninterrupted loop. Inexperience, too much Christmas spirit, who knows. Crucially no one appears hurt as a result.    

Looking back on the year and Ursula’s continual evolutions, I was surprised by just how many changes I’ve made over the past 12 months. Most of the drivetrain components were replaced due to wear and tear. Aside from chains and cassettes, the long-serving Shimano Deore LX cranks were beginning to lose their threads, prompting the upgrade to Hollowtech II.  

A couple of months later, I upgraded the rear wheel, since the rim was beginning to deteriorate- it was a cheap but very cheerful example, which had served faithfully for five harsh winters, so didn’t owe us anything. Deore hubs are reliable enough, but if I was going to replace, I may as well upgrade. An XT laced to a Rigida Sputnik was too good to pass up. Then of course, there was the Kinekt 2.1 post KINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), which was another refinement that had completed my original vision of an otherwise rigid, all-terrain, go-anywhere, four seasons’ build. A concept that originally lit my fuse during an English class in March 87. A Muddy Fox Trailblazer, spotted in Bicycle Magazine, for the curious. A couple of years later, Specialized's Rock Combo just turned things up a notch.  

I switched the Sun Race Brifters for Micro Shift Bar end and Tektro levers, which was another good move, and since I was there, the Soma Condor 2 SOMA CONDOR 2 SHALLOW DROP BARS | (sevendaycyclist.com). The original Condor was a great bar, seemingly perfect for the design brief and the only reason I switched was because the Condor 2 was doing something close to nothing. If I was going to experiment, then was the time. 

Finally, the Sun Race Driven NRX rear mech imploded, replaced by a Tiagra. In many respects, close to a complete rebuild, but aside from some refinements/indulgences, and the mech’s untimely demise, components owed me and the “old girl” nothing. Ah, now my fixed gear winter trainer’s brake has got the sulks-a frayed inner wire. No time like the present...Maybe it got jealous...