Surly Seven Year Olds & The Sheared Seat Bolt Blues

He bid me come out, how could I say no? He said meet me at eight, round at my place, you know...Since my last entry, Joshua goes from strength to strength, racing round tarmac and trail at every opportunity. There's the usual thrills and the inevitable spills but he takes it all in his stride. However, we were preparing for winter, poring Waxoyl into the seat tubes while seizing the opportunity to test this fantastic wrench when he threw an uncharacteristic diva fit, refusing to help in any capacity!

Refitting the Univega's seatpost I set about tightening the binder bolt while asserting some parental authority. Distraction resulted in over tightening the clamp, shearing the bolt in the process. Sensing contained displeasure, my little protege' headed indoors while I searched in vain for a replacement. Every cloud they say has a silver lining, the good folk at Ison charging to the rescue with this arguably nicer Salsa lip-lock which comes in a variety of diameters and several pretty anodised colours.

So to Friedrichshafen in Southern Germany, home to Eurobike, the continents largest and arguably most important trade show. With over 1,000 exhibitors from across the globe, there was literally something for everyone and allowing for periodic bouts of show-blindness, I didn't come close to sampling everything in five, ten hour days. Focusing on the fixed scene, wandering through the halls lead me undecided as to the future of the genre. Literally everyone had one in their range and while some fired my imagination, many seemed content to cynically roll out track wannabes made from non-descript steel and alloy tube sets.

That said, its not all gloom. Sturmey Archer's three speed fixed hub seemed enticing enough and cropped up sporadically on complete builds. Cooper bikes, a new British marque proudly hung this configuration aboard a neatly welded 525 frameset. Sat beside it was a fully chrome minimalist sibling fashioned from Reynolds' thicker gauge 520 tubing, complete with Major Taylor drops and Brooks leather bar wrap. Leather remains a popular trend too-saddles, bags, toe straps, grips and tape were commonplace. Chrome has been riding the crest of a retro wave-fork crowns, blades , ornate lugwork and chainstays were literally dripping in the shiny plating. Aluminium mudguards (fenders) house branded tubing and components have made a comeback whereas wood had, with notable exception literally vanished.

Children's bikes fired my imagination for obvious reasons. Most followed the European tradition of fully equipped town n' trail mounts with full mudguards, carriers and integral lights. By the same token, the road bike revival is fast challenging the mountain bike's dominance. Several manufacturers including Atala and Schwinn have introduced junior machines to their range. A far cry from the ubiquitous gas-pipe, junk component "ten speeds" from the late 70s/early 80s, these sport neatly welded aluminium framesets, serviceable entry level components and price tags that won't require remortgaging.

Neons, fresh from 1989 are steadily creeping back into the mainstream consciousness with Charge, GT and others leading the battle cry. Then we had anodising, oh yes those skewers, binder bolts, brake hangers shunned in spares drawers since 1997 will net you a small fortune on eBay judging by their popularity this year. Stands were awash with mouth-wateringly beautiful high end hubs, headsets, pedals, seatposts, stems and fasteners in a whole spectrum of colours. Frankly, I couldn't get enough of the Far East, 853 framesets with floral livery mingled with titanium,carbon fibre (even the odd bamboo/carbon hybrid) or the halls glittering with thousands of lights from little blinkeys to retina roasting Li-on. Photography wasn't particularly welcomed-presumably on the grounds that copyright/patents were a little sketchy and just as factories churn out neatly fabricated framesets by the container load, doubtless many were producing lights under licence for several household names.

Commuter friendly USB charging types are another really exciting trend with pretty much everyone jumping on the bandwagon. Nite Rider have embraced this technology and applied it to the high power 150/250 lumen Minewt. This year sees rechargeable li-on battery hosted within the lamp's body, meaning it slips effortlessly from the redesigned tool free handlebar mount into the messenger bag or jersey pocket when locking in the street. Docking at the USB for five hours rewards with between to and a half and seven hours burn time depending upon chosen mode.

At the other end of the spectrum we've the Lightning bug and stinger set. Don't be fooled by their sweet, cutesy six colour bug caricature, the lightning bug 3.0 with its pronounced triple bulb design is just sufficient to see by in a sub/urban context. Powered by two CR2032 watch type cells. faithful to quoted, ours have returned between forty and one hundred hours-perfect snuggled up beside the winter bike's dynamo or high power mainstay system.

Back in the UK, upon hearing of the Holdsworth's recent structural woes, Trevor at Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating has very generously offered to strip and refinish the frameset gratis once Paul Vincent's worked his magic.

Now, you'll excuse me, I'm off to play with this bunch of super bright blinkys.

Bragging n' trying not to lie Part II

After a slow start Joshua has mushroomed in confidence, taking to his solo like the proverbial duck to water. The turning point came during a bitter, frustrated diatribe a week or so back, protesting he couldn't ride (unaware he was coasting along on his own steam!).

Formative wobbles long forgotten, fluidity flows fertile along the lanes and with it the elevation of his confidence when negotiating speed humps and similar obstacles. Grass and green lane have given rise to scenes lifted straight from the keystone cops but his tenacity on wet tarmac is heartening. Manoeuvres and a general sense of road awareness show surprising maturity too, while stopping is generally a controlled, graceful affair.Despite early reservations, the bud brake (linked system) modulator has certainly helped, along with dialing the levers a little closer. A rummage through the spares bin has unearthed some unwanted components which will be passed on and the proceeds ploughed into a new DSLR camera body.

Well folks, you'll have to excuse us-he's just applied his chosen sticker set either side of the top tube and I'm flying to Southern Germany, the home of Euro bike, gap-filler sausage and the dubious delights of techno.

Red Light District

This latest clutch of LEDs signals autumn and winter’s steady advance; the lighting market being one of the fiercest fought battlegrounds, which is great news for the likes of you and I. The trend is toward high output commuter models that hop aboard the computer’s USB port for a few hour’s charge-perfect for desk jockeys but inappropriate for touring and mile munching Audax where dynamos and double A batteries rule the roost. Light & Motion’s Vis 180 is one such beast, shrouding the rider (and companion) in a cloak of retina reddening thirty-five lumens and one hundred and eighty degrees visibility. At the other end of the spectrum, RSP’s Tourlite has made an equally favourable impression. Tipping the scales at 120g it mounts to rear carriers-at the time of comment, they’re still refining the bracket so I attached ours to my common or garden 6061 Topeak courtesy of a Bor Yeuh saddle rail mounted bottle cage caddy. Output is good for three quarters of a mile and we’re talking in terms of ninety hours from a set of double A in flashing mode. It’s genuinely waterproof passing my hosepipe torture test with flying colours and gives change from £20-perfect for town hacks, tourers and other packhorses. Now, sticking with the darker months and pardoning the arguably unforgivable pun, these clever reflective dots from the Lightweight’s range are a great tertiary source of illumination if day glow’s not really your bag. Available in a choice of eight colours they’re basically self-adhesive stickers impregnated with tiny 3M dots, reflecting the chosen colour when graced by vehicle and street lighting. Weighing around 20g per pack they adhere to most surfaces and will hide unsightly chips and scratches. I chose the Univega’s mudguards (fenders) as my canvas and thus far I’m impressed by their performance. There’s also versions intended for clothing and helmets claiming visibility from 500 metres… So to the Holdsworth… After several twists and turns, further consultation with Paul Vincent suggests as the shell is otherwise undamaged, running some brass into the hairline fracture and sanding it flat should prove the least invasive, most cost-effective solution. However, this will undoubtedly necessitate a re-spray so a couple of bottle mounts will complete the structural surgery before it passes through to Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating for a fresh shot of 5012. Estimated cost £95 including paint and transportation. Putting this into context, a new 531bottom bracket shell, bottle bosses and re-spray crosses the £150 threshold. Arguably economic given the prices of replica framesets but considerably more hassle. Assuming said surgery cuts mustard in the long term, I’ll have the vinyl lettering made and maybe a set for the Teenage dream too…

Monies saved will be ploughed into my other projects-specifically recognised qualifications in massage therapies-something I’ve been eager to acquire for a couple of years. Two local colleges of further and higher education run the required courses but enrolment will hinge on the economics of supply and demand.
"Get on your bike and look for work" was the famous mantra chorused by right of centre politicians some thirty years ago in response to the last bout of chronic social and economic tensions. However, Suffolk constabulary have taken this literally, in a scheme bound to induce rage in anyone unfortunate enough to have his or her bike(s) stolen. Any stolen- recovered bikes within the county are to be distributed amongst ex offenders in order they can “look for work”. So taken to its logical conclusion Terry and Theresa tea leaf can steal your machine, sell it on and potentially get it back, profiting two fold from the rightful owner’s misery! Suggesting hard-core or persistent offenders can “go straight” in this context is laughable and shows a marked ignorance of the penal system’s inherent failures. First and foremost this can only encourage more prolific episodes of theft…

Secondly, the prison system creates a revolving door for many (predominantly young men) whom in due course learn to be more efficient and dangerous criminals. Upon leaving prison there resumes the cycle of criminality-a lack of education, life opportunity and cohesive social network means they only know other ex/offenders. Couple this with addiction and related compulsions, it becomes prohibitively difficult to reintegrate within civil society Ending on a sweeter note we have Finish Line’s one step clean and lube spray-the cycling equivalent of two in one shampoo and conditioner. Simply spray on a filthy chain (and/or cassette for those who admitting to owning machines with variable derailleur transmissions). Leave for a minute and the solvent dissolves congealed lube, grit and general contaminant.

Running the chain through a clean, lint free rag purges any remnants, leaving behind a surprisingly tenacious dry lube. It works a treat on slotted cables, step-in pedal mechanisms leaving them super slick. Results of real world testing over the past few weeks are favourable, requiring reapplication once despite heavy showers and waterlogged roads. However, winter may hum a very different tune and demand weekly top-ups. The mixture’s pretty potent in aerosol form so apply in well-ventilated areas and take the usual precautions, storing safely away from children and pets.

Bragging & Tryin’ Not To Lie

The past few weeks have seen me permanently attached to the Univega-primarily on the grounds of an all weather touring/mtb shoes group test. Realising the hazy days of summer are fast diminishing, I plucked Ninja Blue from its nylon-coated hook and took off for a fast twelve-mile blast. Ironic then that the heavens should mysteriously turn overcast and bestow intermittent warm rain of the sort that nigh on dries the moment it strikes the top-tube. Tractor racing a’la the summer of ’91 has been notable by its absence too and this needs resolving before autumn’s gentle rains and falling leaves. The dry, dusty summer months have delivered a layering of filth and grime seemingly by stealth to the Univega’s livery but mercifully a bucket of warm water, a few capfuls of wash and wax and this eco-sponge from Green oil purged the demon. Derived from the Luffa plant and imported under fair trade from the Philippines, its biodegradable composition feels closer to that of a shredded wheat cereal biscuit. Leave it in a bucket of Luke/warm water for a minute or so and it both softens and swells to more useful dimensions- it’s great on really stubborn grime and should last around a year but feels a little aggressive for more delicate frame finishes.
I keep returning to the idea of reinventing Izzie the Ilpompino for winter. Similarities with the Holdsworth end at the livery but that’s precisely as I’d intended. Mudguard and four point carrier mounts, clearance for 38mm rubber are perfect attributes for the darker months. Remaining pragmatic, such would only coincide with replacing Ninja Blue’s bottom bracket shell and introducing bottle mounts to the down tube, topped off with the fresh coat of 5012- a conversation I shall be having with Paul Vincent in the coming weeks. Talking of winter, these quirky booties from Lake might not win warm applause from the style police but are a surprisingly proficient choice for four season’s riding-especially through rain, sleet and snow. Resembling a closed toe sandal with an integrated sock, the breathable event fabric ensures a temperate inner climate. The soles strike a great balance between power transfer and walking comfort, although curiously cleat engagement isn’t as snappy as some.

The Holdsworth’s stem mounted Blackburn computer hasn’t missed a beat, regardless of my proximity to electricity pylons, phase one nuclear reactors and all manner of high and low frequency interference. These factors might explain how I achieved those heady forty-mph plus readings back in the day but a steady twenty-three fuels the senses, makes the soul sing while just steady enough to compose thoughts, features, test copy and related materials.
Consequently, the cheap but ever so cheerful echowell has found a new home aboard my mother’s partner’s smart new, versatile Ridgeback commuter scoot. There’s nothing remarkable about said machine-an aluminium frame festooned with sensible braze-ons, proven lower end Shimano and in-house components but sturdy Alex wheels and prevalence of sealed bearings mean it’s very practical. This Axiom disc rack happened to be lying idle in my wardrobe as was a canary yellow cage and single pannier. Means he and my mother can take leisurely rides through the summer evenings and in accordance with the male psyche, shout current, maximum, average speeds and of course-distance.

Explaining the significance of the nagging pacer arrow has added to the frisson of excitement and as the proverbial child at Christmas he was permitted to bring said machine through the house before embarking on a twenty minute, three-mile meander around the block. This presented the ideal opportunity to test out some trainer-type touring shoes drilled for recessed cleats. A few leisurely rides, change of pedals, introduce the cleats and he’ll be ready for a few evening rides with yours truly…. Oh how innocently it all starts-before long he’ll be brazing frames together from old tubing and cannibalising washing machines a’la Obree!
Speaking of innocence, summer holidays have seen Joshua regain his zest for riding thanks in part to this bud brake modulator. The manufacturers claim it works to the same principle as car/motorcycle ABS, preventing wheel lock-ups rims overheating and tyres blowing out on long descents etc. The jury’s out on some of these assertions but credit where due, the Jagwire cables are nice touches and moreover, muting the (irrational) fear of ejecting himself over the bars in an emergency has contributed to his improved fluidity/coordination. Confidence battles with concentration sometimes but he’s managing to ride unaided for a few minutes and there’s just a little work to be done in terms of regulating speed to avoid those rights of passage “through the hedge” moments. The two demonic PR boys presently spearheading the present UK government have demonstrated they have little concern beyond their own ideologies. The present agenda of dogmatically cutting every conceivable area of public spending will have grave consequences for every facet of the economy. Cycling superhighways and related civil engineering projects that breathed considerable life into privately owned construction firms- responsible for the promising indicators of economic recovery are fast relenting. Road tolls are a smouldering topic and this too will re-ignite tired arguments about entitlement to use the highways-afterall every one of us pays for the infastructure through direct taxation but this is likely to become lost in the politician’s rhetoric too.
This second economic downturn is starting to bite way beyond that of the reviled public sector. Friends in trades such as plumbing and heating report serious decline is business which they feel will worsen with January’s proposed VAT hike. Housing and other benefit cuts will obviously result in growing levels of homelessness and crime usually accompanies this. The spectre of bike theft is never far away and such an epidemic is likely to remain of little interest to the authorities who seem hopeful of the public taking solace in cheap liquor rather than the civil unrest of the late 70s and 80s.

Torque Talk

The puncture season has resumed with vengeful blisters thanks to some otherwise superlative Specialized training rubber that goes like the clappers and feels notably narrower than their 23mm profiles suggest but proved the proverbial pig to persuade aboard common or garden Mavic MA2s without exploding thumbs and snapped tyre levers. Further upgrades include the much-revered Thomson post.
A Saturday afternoon characterised by deeply debilitating heavy showers in dispersed with high winds led me to contemplate my powers of persuasion, removing the necessary point two of a millimetre. Thirty minutes concentrated sanding and periodic checking and a lick of this Juice Lubes Bearing grease saw it slide perfectly inside the seat-tube with no evidence of stomach sinking slippage over the past thirty miles. My only regret is not seizing the opportunity before. The product in question is formulated specifically for bearings, subjected to a completely different set of stresses compared with their automotive counterparts-hence why in many contexts, automotive greases are unsuitable for hubs, bottom bracket and headsets. The ingredients are something of a mystery, giving little indication of its compatibility with carbon/composite components but experience suggests a polymer base, equally suited to preventing galvanic and other corrosion between non/ferrous interfaces.

Quietly smug, the Altura rack bag and resurrected Pro-Lite saddle assumed their rightful places The Thomson’s forward facing curvature is perfect for smaller/riders seeking to place themselves over the bottom bracket shell for increased power and in this context it has also corrected the handlebar reach, greatly improving comfort over prolonged periods-particularly when hunkering low on the drops.
Juice ceramic lube seems a good bet for smooth transmissions too. It’s made from a blend of high quality base oils with baron nitride-a synthetic compound similar in properties to graphite. Marketed as a summer-lube it doesn’t overly attract dirt and resists seasonal showers without demanding reapplication but be sure to wipe the outer link plates on a weekly basis. Unlike traditional wet lubes, it doesn’t overly attract grime and means that pretty blue/pink/tricolour track chain will retain its looks-so long as the “Little and often” principle is maintained. Performance seems better than expected off-road- just so long as conditions fall between Death Valley arid and Mumbai monsoon.

Not so many moons ago, torque wrenches were very much the preserve of the professional workshop but as carbon and other composites have become commonplace, the notion of setting components by feel is rapidly becoming as archaic as simple rope tests to ascertain frame alignment. Unlike space-age materials, the trickle down factor hasn’t reached tooling but this little CNC machined beauty from Effetto may well be the alchemist in this sea change. It measures a mere 16.5cm long and costs a whopping £ but this pales into insignificance when dealing with top-flight components-wrecking a full carbon frameset for the sake of a couple of hundred quid is false economy an good tools always repay their investment… So long as you don’t lend them out (!)

Most manufacturers, especially the major players have carbon sussed and modern manufacturing techniques mean its unlikely to break but nipping an alloy cradle too tight could well result in a nasty fracture- is it really worth the risk, much less the expense on a saddle consuming the lion’s share of £120? So, back to this elegant piece of Italian engineering…Accurate to 0.5nm the price includes a wealth of attachments fit for tackling most components aside from more traditional 8mm crank bolts-we’ve got 2,2.5,3,4,5 and 6mm Allen keys, T20, T25 Torx and an assortment of flat and Philips head screwdrivers). These simply plug into the magnetised head. Turn the knurled sphere anti/clockwise to adjust torque-cross reference with the laser etched settings integral to the handle and happy fettling!

Now to some software. Remember those Altura Summit I introduced in my last entry, well turns out they’re really very, very proficient for general riding thinks to superlative ventilation, low weight and hardy materials. Taking the scenic route, involving deserted houses and bridle path long since reclaimed by nature, they’ve laughed at ferocious foliage, wash and dry beautifully. Being primarily an MTB garment they’re nice for touring and general riding but offerings from the like of Endura translate better to urban fixer applications thanks to closer cut, better insert and pocket configuration. Their relatively thin insert feels very comfortable-at least in terms of padding but the silicone leg-grippers could be more tenacious, allowing the garment to bunch up painfully around the crotch. Mercifully, other brands fit perfectly, thus resolving the problem. Despite globalisation and the fluidity of cultural exchange facilitated through the Internet, it is interesting to note alley cat events haven’t caught on to the same degree here in the UK. There’s been frisson of activity time and again and Bob Jackson offers a 631 Fixer frameset with this moniker.Retro has been debated many, many times both here and other column inches. Personally, I like the opportunities it presents to obtain products-or should we say reproductions long since banished to obscurity but it has to be said there’s an underlying sense that we, as a nation-possibly as a global village are being consumed by the desire to hark back to a mythical, romanticised construct of the past or bygone era. I recently happened upon this road path bike while walking through a seaside town. The owner advises it’s a 50’s Ephgrave that was bought during his national service and later re-sprayed a pink by himself courtesy of a homemade compressor. Look closely and there’s some obvious distortion (crash damage?) of the head tube, chrome has long since left the GB stem while teeth are notable by their absence on the chain-ring but that aside, it remains an interesting machine and one the owner had an extremely fond bond with. Tales of track racing, long training runs from London to Norfolk, home-made stainless steel toe-clips and other fascinating details-he’d even used the final drive chain from a Honda 90 motorcycle in place of an inch pitch or 1/8th track offering!
The omnipresent spectre of scandal surrounding European racing from the Giros to the Tour De France have petty much eroded any interest beyond vocational in the professional scene. Without being overly simplistic, the hug amounts of money involved is conducive to institutionalised doping but the authorities appear to have made it their life’s work to conclusively prove Armstrong and more recently Floyd Landis as persona non-grata. Armstrong is understandably distancing himself from Landis who is widely regarded as a bitter, disgraced drugs cheat but some are saying (with some conviction) should the allegations have any foundation, Armstrong’s achievements are then tantamount not to the greatest show on earth but arguably the greatest fraud in sporting history. Armstrong is a very shrewd, self-aware businessman first and foremost-he just happens to ride a bike and will protect his interests at all costs. Similarly, I’ve no idea whether the bike-doping revelations with motors in the bottom bracket shells (supposedly) providing additional assistance on the climbs are little more than a rumour or elaborate hoax but it wouldn’t overly surprise me. Jacques Anquetil once laughed at the suggestion the tour was won on Evian. Equally, cycling is giving other sports from cricket through to athletics a convenient smokescreen to hide behind.

Fourteen mph... The Photographer's choice

The past few weeks riding suggest the Holdsworth’s structural integrity is very much in tact, although I shall continue to keep a discrete eye on the bottom bracket shell. However, Paul Vincent’s confident he can perform the op without too much disruption- simplicity of repair remains the greatest single advantage of traditional lugged and brazed framesets. He’s also happy to add the bottle mounts and even perform frame end surgery on the Univega too-although this will only occur when the spectre of tatty enamel comes calling. This reconfiguration is the best use of time, money and indeed storage space! Nonetheless, it doesn’t explain my sudden renewed interest in a Kona Paddy wagon. I’ve always liked the brand since the late eighties Lava Domes and Cinder Cones that remain timeless classics well-suited to the wet, soggy British climate. I had a brief flirtation with said road fixer, having reviewed the early model for a publication some three and a half years back. However, finances and storage space prohibited purchase.
A few hundred miles on and the Dhb Southsea jacket has proven its worth, resisting storms, showers and pretty much anything else our peculiar weather system chose to bestow. Being polyester and with waterproofing taking priority over breathability, the inner climate isn’t quite as comfortable as more sophisticated fabrics. Rest assured, we’re not talking mobile saunas here-it just feels a little clammy with sustained efforts in temperatures exceeding the mid teens. Nonetheless, it’s beautifully stylish, practical and represents fantastic value for money.
Continuing the theme of Lycra shy performance cycling garb are these Altura Summit ¾ length baggies. Falling just below the knee and aimed primarily at the mountain bike fraternity, they’ve a host of features useful for general riding, touring and commuting. The past few outings suggest the material is extremely hard wearing, yet very light at 280g and plenty of ventilation promises additional comfort-albeit with greater air resistance relative to road specific cuts. As usual, we’ll continue racking up the miles before reaching any hard and fast conclusions. Our first outing was something of a ride on the wilder side, comprising of secluded lanes and abandoned buildings-hence these from the saddle shots. Retro reflections coupled with some rummaging in the spares bin unearthed this old favourite- the mighty Selle Italia Turbo. This one’s seen a fair bit of service and differs from the latest re-releases in so much as the cover is genuine leather hide. Having turned saddle swapping into something of a spectator sport, I’ve returned to the design classic made popular by five times Tour De France winner, Bernard Hinault.

Firm padding and sensible width more than compensate for the additional eighty grams or so weight penalty and heralding from the same era means it compliments the nineteen-year-old frameset perfectly. There is of course one perch that might lure me away and that’s this Selle SMP offering spotted here on the Ilpompino. It might look extreme; indeed some might say a metaphor for impotence but the pressure relieving cutaway is second to none and the gateway to day long armchair comfort. Half term holidays saw Joshua and I take advantage of the warmer weather with a few longer rides on the tag-along. Long and children in the same sentence are relative but we’re talking fifteen or so miles with periodic rest stops. Aside from the Univega’s front brake gumming up and thus providing some additional resistance training (easily cured with a squirt or two of WD40 on the cables and pivot points) everything was memorable for the right reasons.
In an era when children are, by and large becoming less active for a host of reasons both social and to some extent, technological, I am trying to instill a sense of wonderment, possibility and adventure in him and to this end, heavy (especially on the climbs) the tag-along might be but it’s nonetheless a gateway to shared experiences and riding pleasure. Around the time of the Paddy Wagon, he and I were smitten with Surly’s Steamroller and had considered buying one with a flip/flop hub precisely for these duties. However, the exchange rate and import taxes put me off-IRO had a couple of machines in their range (Rob Roy and 1x1 characterised by strong brakes and sensible four season's gemoetry) during this era that also fueled my imagination. I might still partake in the IRO frameset, should one come under my radar at the right price. Ordinarily, I’d be the first to remonstrate at the very suggestion of using a fixed as a trailer tug beyond the pancake flat metropolis. However, the Steamroller is made from plain gauge Cro-moly. Sure, this doesn’t make for the most electrifying ride but offers enormous lateral stiffness, meaning it will hold its line perfectly even given the additional stresses placed by child/trailers and/or tag-alongs. More often than not, 14mph is a nice speed-fast enough to keep a sense of momentum/purpose, yet sufficiently sedate to engage with and discuss the sights, smells and world around us. As further enticement away from the lure of hand-held games consoles, a spot of compact camera upgrading saw him the proud owner of a J100. Point and shoot but with some basic manual settings and a decent optical zoom, rechargeable Li-on battery etc it should grow with his burgeoning photographic prowess. Competence with his solo fluctuates- largely dependent upon his mood and pattern of concentration at the time and while generally encouraging, I am still convinced a balance bike would break the sudden streak of uncertainty. Perhaps this new helmet and those Odi grips will spur him onwards. As for me, well Lush, a chain of handmade cosmetics retailers have put together this tub of cyclist specific goodies and to poach an expression from a huge beauty multi national “I’m worth it”.