Mother, I’ve had the clap!

Ok, so I’ve had more difficult conversations with my mother, and I don’t mean VD. I am of course referring to that strange Thursday night phenomenon that is applauding keyworkers, during the UK lockdown. I understand this is well-intentioned and induces a sense of morale and cohesion. However, if people want the NHS and other front-line services to continue, they need to target politicians and lobby for proper, sustained investment.  

Obviously, model portfolio-building https://stenningphotographic.blogspot.com/2020/ and similar, social photography is out just now, so I’m supplementing my other freelance income with some temping. In short, an agency rang to discuss my experience in a previous front-line trade, offered me some work (I needed the money) and here we are.  

Spleen vented, back in the saddle... 

Much as I predicted, after another 150 miles, the Giles Berthoud Saddle has conformed to my sit bones, church pew numbness a long and distant memory. Nonetheless, it’ll be another few hundred before it assumes the same, subtle support provided by this Ti railed Spa Aire but compliant enough for now. Some might say masochistic, though I’ve found strangely satisfying. 

Checking my Univega’s chain, it’s in very good health, 600 miles in. On present form, I’m reckoning another 1200 before it passes on, to The Great Bike Shop in The Sky.  

I’ve another KMC waiting in the winds and was tempted to load up on another, when I remembered seeing a packet fresh, gold Sun Race unit, during my last rationalisation of the garage. Unless I spot something suitable going for the proverbial song, I’ll use existing resources. 

I’m sticking with a two-coat helping of Zefal Pro Dry lube for now, since the weather’s turned damp again. I’m also thinking in terms of switching to Weldtite TF2 Ultra Dry Chain Wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-ultra-dry-chain-wax if conditions remain arid, Weldtite TF2 Performance All Weather Lubricant https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-performance-all-weathe if the forecast favours precipitation. 

It has this week, which has presented the ideal opportunity to put a budget waterproof commuter jacket through its paces. £70 generally buys a garment that is more waterproof, than breathable. That said; I’ve been able to bowl along for 20 miles or so, at a steady 18mph without feeling “boiled in the bag”. 

Commuting continues to rise in popularity, given the present situation and desire to avoid crowded public spaces/transit. Brompton’s iconic small wheeler is a solid contender for those looking to ride shorter distances and wanting something that will go, stop and handle in good proportion. We’ve been putting their B75 through its paces. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/brompton-b75      

Zefal has also kindly sent me these crank and paint armor, which should keep my mile munching mainstay looking fresh. I’ve gone over to these Continental Speed Reflex tyres, to see whether they’re any sprightlier than the mighty Schwalbe Marathon Mondial Double Defence https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-mondial-tyres  .

Formative impressions are of a quick rolling, compliant tyre with decent grip but 400-500miles will give much better insight into their characteristics, pros, cons etc. 

I’ve also switched to these long serving and slightly careworn Scott sport shoes. They’ve served 12 years, on and off. They’re a twin bolt road model with stiffer soles than the Triban 500 I’ve defaulted to, these past few months.  

They've also got a set of specialist insoles which corrects the (minimal) femur imbalance, which can otherwise induce misalignment and shoulder pain, on longer rides.  Took the opportunity to whip on some new, genuine Shimano cleats, too. Despite nylon washers and other, vibration thwarting goodies, mudguards and other little fasteners still work themselves loose.  

Some low level but annoying chatter was traced to my Univega’s SKS Bluemels Shiny Mudguards. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/sks-blumels-shiny-mudguards Though most fasteners are now Allen, or Torx, mudguards are still 10mm nuts. I always carry a Y type socket wrench. (I’ve had it for 30 years) but Topeak Alien ii still has the 8,9 and 10mm ring types for these little jobs and I’m really pleased to see it, still in production.     

Lasting Impressions

 Temptation was to set up another blog and call it “The saddle diaries” but in practice, it boils down to sit, ride and ultimately, rejoice when the traditional leather saddle finally conforms to your own shape. With every twenty miles, or so now, I can feel the hide doing just that. A friendly acquaintance and former editor commented that he successfully “broke in” a Brooks B17, on a very wet 400km endurance ride.  

Concurs with my own experiences of the B17-a classic design, and justly so, but a little too broad for me, personally. The more personalisation the better. Not only from the perspective of riding comfort/pleasure but also, the more distinctive the machine, the harder it is to sell on.  

Despite the lockdown, cycle and motorcycle theft remains prolific and the UK’s police force neither have the resources, or inclination to tackle it. My hypothesis is that people are so used to seeing white commercial vehicles making deliveries. Well-equipped thieves can scout, then target homes/garages at a later point, with impunity.  

This is nothing new, and sadly, likely to rise as the economy turns. These thieves come prepared with power tools and will often slice through any solid, immovable object bike(s) are locked to, load machines into their vans, and tackle the locks, elsewhere.  

Strip parts and sell everything on via online auction/selling sites. Sometimes on an industrial scale. Much of this is just another branch of wider, organised crime-stolen cars, drugs, fraud, extortion, people trafficking etc. Motor/cycle theft has always been “small beer” to the UK police, even when resources were plentiful.  

Four penneth delivered, on to the fixed. My fixed gear winter trainer to be precise, although in some respects (perhaps controversially) it's perhaps more accurately described as a Tracklocross bike. Afterall, its essentially a cyclo cross bike with track ends and rear spacing... However, purists will deliberate, since it’s running (and will retain!) a front brake.  

Though I miss the Bandit, I’m rekindling my rapport with the Geonaute G-Eye2 Action Camera and am likely to do some further fine-tuning of the cockpit. Experience with the out-front mounted Apeman also suggests, being visible, it influences driver behaviour for the better. https://www.facebook.com/sevenday.cyclist/videos/2292754937686957/  

Since I’m not likely to run a bar bag (although there’s ample room for the See Sense Handlebar Bag https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/see-sense-handlebar-bag I may well repatriate it beneath the bars for a sleeker aesthetic. Those who want to distribute their luggage more evenly than I, might be interested in a topo tube bag, such as this Zefal Z Adventure Ti Top Tube Bag https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-z-adventure-t1-top-tube-bag 

I’m left in no doubt that the Acros Silicone Wrap Handlebar Tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/acros-silicone-wrap-handlebar-tape offers superior damping, purchase and control, regardless of conditions. However, the embossed texture accumulates grime with frustrating ease-most notably, petrochemical stuff-transfer from oily hands.  

The worst will shift with a medium soft brush dipped in a mild, warm, sudsy bucket but thankfully, it also responds very well to machine washing-something I’ve now resorted to, on a quarterly basis. A year in, it’s still looking very fresh, better than the very cheerful Genetic Flare Silicone Bar Wrap https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-silicone-bar-wrap (but then I’d expect so, since the Acros is almost twice the Genetic’s ticket price)  

Elsewhere, I’ve run the double helping of Pro Gold Pro Link Chain Lube https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/pro-gold-pro-link-chain-lube to the point where the rollers are filmy and the outer plates/jockey wheels a little gungy. Reached my conclusions and have switched to Zefal Pro Dry for the meantime.https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-pro-dry-lube  

Another low-friction, super runny lube and one I rate, especially given the asking price. Being another, drizzle and go blend, its super convenient to apply, although since the weather is remaining stable, chances are, I’ll start testing a summer specific wax blend in the coming weeks.   

Cable specific lubes might seem a bit specialist. Afterall, super runny lubes, including the Zefal will perk up sticky, reticent inner wires, ditto aerosols, such as Juice Lubes JL69 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/juice-lubes-jl GT 85 All Purpose Lubricant https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/gt-85-original-multi-purpose-lubricant etc. However though arguably better value on the versality front, Steve reckons Rock n’ Roll Cable Magic https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/rock-n-roll-cable-magic does the business and lasts a good deal longer.