Loads, Logistics & Endless Pursuits

 

No sooner had the Topeak RX been switched around the fleet and the RX beam rack tethered to Denise’s USE post, Roswheel offered us their Tour and Tour Lite racks, tour panniers. 

The Tour Lite has a maximum cited payload of 18 kilos, is made from 6061 aluminium alloy and is designed to accommodate a wide range of framesets and 26, 27.5 and 700c tyres up to 50mm wide. It’s a little lighter than the Topeak Uni Super Tourist 2.0 Non-Disc Rack Topeak Uni SuperTourist 2.0 NonDisc Rack | cycling-not-racing  but 25g heavier than The M Part Summit M Part Summit Rear Rack | cycling-not-racing ( 879g and 715g respectively).  Welds are neat and uniform throughout and the textured grey finish continues this narrative. I like the 3- or 4-point fitting options as standard and the addition of a nicely engineered (rather than pressed steel “giveaway”) spanner was a very pleasant surprise. Three-point fits with the brief and lends itself to Audax and training bikes where you might want to carry a bit extra but not the proverbial kitchen sink. The top plate’s profile is decidedly narrow, so I wonder how well it will host trunk bags, such as my long serving Carradice.  

 Talking of luggage, Steve (Seven Day Cyclist Co-Editor) is due to embark on a very big tour with his wife in April, so if you’re a manufacturer, or distributor and you’d like him to long term test your products, let me know.

Giving Muffin a good sudsy bucket clean presented the ideal opportunity to fit the Dia Compe 138 lever, which gives my left hand the comfortable resting spot I was missing and two hundred miles hence, I didn’t opt for the broader Ridgeback. Defaulting to the Leatt Pro Clip Endurance 6.0 Shoes, these continue to impress, while confirming some suspicions. Namely that the sole is stiff, but when climbing hard on the fixed, there’s some minor flex.

It’s very subtle, but I wasn’t surprised to find their Endurance 6.0 pedals offered optimal support, but no issues with Shimano, or their legions of homages.  It’s worth noting they are a sporty, rather than race orientated cross country mountain bike/gravel shoes. The latter prioritise pedalling efficiency, but are quite harsh to walk in, which isn’t always desirable. Horses for courses.  

This minor flex is much less apparent on the 2x10 drivetrains, since my approach is different- I’m usually dropping down a gear or two, turning a higher cadence and winching up. Wet and wintry conditions also confirmed my suspicions that the large section of opaque mesh will allow water inside. The good news is the Pro Clip Endurance 6.0 have proven roomy enough for waterproof socks.

Otherwise, wearing merino blend socks, bargain on some slight sogginess given 50 minutes or so in persistent, showery rain.  Speaking of wintry conditions, they’ve been ideal for testing technical kit and I’ve grown fond of the Castelli Unlimited Rain Jacket Castelli Unlimited Rain Jacket | cycling-not-racing . Waterlogged roads and a sudden cold snap lead to ice and indeed, some light snow, so I was glad I’d left Ursula shod with the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Tyres | cycling-not-racing.

There are two basic approaches to filthy conditions, although, as with life generally, there is nuance.  There are those that will give bikes a twenty-minute sudsy bucket clean to remove salt, grit and contaminant post ride, before it can take hold. There are those who just allow it to stick, rustling up the buckets when the mucky spell has passed. Not difficult to see the logic and it has sometimes been the basis behind winter bikes- recycling downgraded components.

However, while fixed, single speed, hub geared and say, 6,7 or 8spd derailleur transmissions are relatively tolerant of being basted in crap, in my experience, 9 speed upwards get consumed at a rapid rate. With this in mind, I’m inclined to give bikes a moderately thorough clean every third outing, or a deeper clean, weekly. I don’t employ waxes to beautify in this context, rather to protect, to provide a barrier against the elements, making grot harder to stick in the first instance.  

I've had a few rude awakenings lately in the context of my mental and physical well-being, nothing that can't be steered back on course, but rather symptomatic of wider issues and possibly, unhealthy coping mechanisms. Nothing that was obvious- riding, energy levels and general physicality were unaffected, but there were other tell-tale signs. Irritability, difficulty in sleeping and an unsettling rash. The latter I attributed to a change in shampoo, and it seemed to ease a little when I switched to an alternative. However, itching and redness along my upper forearms was bigger cause for concern.

Again, something I dismissed as a bite-navigating flooded roads and a seasonally unexpected gnat orbiting my bedroom being two "probable" causes. These weren't the culprits and it was yet another reminder that I'm not invincible and we all need to monitor, check and adjust things accordingly.

The present socio-political climate and the uncertainty it presents is undoubtedly a strong influence, a pull to unhealthy coping mechanisms/escape attempts, whether this be consumer spending, reliance upon substances/self-medication (legal and otherwise), gambling, shopping, or risky sexual practices/unhealthy relationships. 

Politicians, regardless of “colours” talk endlessly of growth and stimulating it, without actually doing anything, save for a vague notion of tweaking something. A novice with a spoke key, basically. 

Stormy, Turbulent Times

 

I’m not just talking weather, or global politics (although it certainly applies). The icy weather proved a brief interlude, a five-minute wonder and we’ve returned to the warmer, wetter narrative that has been typical of UK winters the past fifteen years or so. Having set the scene, I received some interesting luggage from Oxford Products and Lomo. The former is a single, 20 litre design made from 500denier PVC, employs a roll top closure and welded seams.  

The latter is a 13litre bike packing model, twice the Topeak Back loader 6L’s size, promises not only excellent weatherproof carrying capacity but reduced sway, courtesy of reinforced panels and double straps. At £36.00, it’s markedly cheaper than the Topeak Back loader family. I’m keeping the Topeak homage saddle support in situ, if only to assess its taming credentials with bigger models.  

Shimano MW7 remain my defaults during this spell, thanks to their temperate weather cheating charms, not to mention the relatively stiff soles and Boa closures. Shimano MW7 (MW702) Gore Tex MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing I was somewhat disappointed to find the Oxford Venture Windproof GiletOXFORD VENTURE WINDPROOF GILET | cycling-not-racing had become bin fodder, courtesy of a knackered zip and shagged pocket stitching (love this technical terms).  

I recall having a black version somewhere...Will have to dig it out... Meantime, I’ve resurrected a very cheerful Van Rysel High Viz Cycling Jacket- gilet by another name. Day glow yellow body, two rear and one breast pocket, reflective detailing, two-year warrantee and £24.99 are hard to beat.  Cycling’s clothing manufacturers seem to be experiencing something of a slump at present.  

I’m a huge fan of Endura, the Humvee shorts were a bombproof classic that I would argue have stood the test of time and managed to bridge the gap between messenger knickers and trail shorts. Great for touring and general riding where you might want to drop by someone’s for Sunday lunch etc. I’ve also some Xtract bib tights serving me very well, especially given the asking price (£54.99) and they’re made in Scotland, not the Far East.  

Lusso are another UK brand (Manchester based) I’ve had positive experiences with their summer weight jerseys and adventure bib shorts. These, in common with others, including Madison Roam Cargo Bib Shorts Madison Roam Men's Cargo Bib Shorts | cycling-not-racing feature pockets for longer rides and though different takes on the narrative, both are effective and practical.  

However, they’re summer designs, so I’ll be sticking with mid- winter bib tights, maybe ¾ lengths when temperatures climb slightly.  Winter, as any cyclist knows, can be similarly cruel to components- chomping through chains, cassettes- derailleurs and rings too, if you’re lazy, or haphazard. Cables can also fray and gunk up. I spotted Denise’s inner wire virtually disintegrating, so wasted no time in Tackling. However, what should’ve been a twenty-minute job took on a life of its own. I found a problem with the RL200 lever- the plastic cable entry had become misshapen, necessitating lever replacement. I found another what I believed to be like for like lever, fitted a fresh stainless inner wire and dialled in the front brake.  

However, stopping prowess was markedly superior...Closer inspection confirmed I’d picked up an RL520 by mistake. These are designed for V brake and cable- operated discs, not cantilevers. However, while powerful, it’s not throwing me over the bars, so stays for now. Mechanics is not a means to an end. Aside from bonding with my machines, it’s also a conduit for processing and working through other things. This can be personalised and localised to me, or more abstract/generic.    

There’s a lot to be said for winter specific bikes and simple ones at that. Fixed, or single speed cross bikes with mudguards are in some respects ideal-bigger clearances allow stouter tyres. Tyres are our first point of contact, so it pays not to skimp here. Cheap mudguards can also prove false economy, warping and failing at the least convenient moment, so worth spending a bit more.  

Of the traditional types, I’ve had positive experiences with Tortec and SKS SKS BLUEMELS SHINY MUDGUARDS | cycling, but not ususally racing If you’re looking at escaping asphalt, the Mud Hugger Gravel Hugger MUD HUGGER GRAVEL HUGGER MUDGURADS | cycling-not-racing   have impressed me with their solid build quality and levels of protection. Sure, the bike will get a liberal helping of gloopy spatter around the rear triangle but you, luggage and other kit remain broadly dry.   Gravel hybrid more your kind of hack? Take a look at Robert Adair’s Fuji  Enjoy a unique moment in every cup of L’OR coffee. On a strictly personal note, I would’ve applied some marine/high build primer to the bare frame ends/similar before but otherwise, like his resourceful, solid ressurection.