Meltdowns & Recoveries

A much-publicised heatwave hit on Monday 17th July (although arguably crept in over the weekend) meaning that my dawn outings were mandatory if I wanted any saddle time. 35-36 degrees is very typical for many Mediterranean countries, and I've experienced 37 plus in more tropical climes, but the UK isn’t geared up for extremes. For good reasons, dogs were either walked at 5ish or not at all, to protect their feet from blistering, not to mention heat exhaustion.

 

Signs had cropped up, warning of loose chippings along the lanes but I reasoned, given the heat, folks weren’t going to be laying these, or indeed tarmac. There’s no statutory maximum legal temperature before people can cease, or decline to work, in the UK. Given the present trajectory, the current administration would simply revoke it- on their much publicised “bonfire” of legislation.  

I found some new bridlepath to explore, which also cemented my feelings regarding Ursula’s saddle change.  

The Super Corsa was an inspired move and as these outings confirmed, surprisingly agreeable sans asphalt, too. I was pleasantly surprised to discover tarmac hadn’t turned to treacle (although some farm vehicles had left their calling card). Even at these times, the temperature was rising fast-from 11 to 19 degrees within an hour, 19 and 26 degrees, on subsequent mornings. Tarmac’s top layer begins to assume a softer state at 51 degrees but allowing for other factors, possible when the air temperature hits 25 degrees.   

Acceleration brought surprisingly cool, moist breeze, which was welcome and encouraged a faster than usual tempo. The Kask Protone Icon helmet also came into its own, rushing cooling air through my scalp. However, an oppressive heat was certainly promising. A muntjac deer pulled alongside, barking in a crude challenge, so we hustled along, rivaling each other for half a mile, before it exited right, into the undergrowth. 

Depending on mood and conditions, I generally alternate between Ursula and fixed gear winter/trainer.  I tweaked the latter’s chain tension while checking the tyre pressures and this ultimately resulted in a switch to the Halo White Line Classic & Shutter Precision PD8 HALO CLASSIC RIM & SHUTTER PRECISION DYNOHUB DISC WHEEL BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com). This also coincided with the security skewer’s implosion. I was torquing it to 10nms, when it sheared. Thankfully, I had a lightweight Halo skewer, so just switched.   

I’d recently switched the fixed’s stem, returning to the Kinekt which employs a very progressive spring/elastomer configuration. However, as I recall from testing, even with the stiffest spring, there’s too much travel for my tastes, resulting in a disconcerting knocking on the rebound.

A quick email to Evan at Cirrus cycles KINEKT Active Suspension Seatpost and Stem – KINEKT Store (cirruscycles.com) advised they’d produced a stiffer, aftermarket option and were happy to send me one. I didn’t need a second invitation. I also wanted to avoid delays, given the potential customs nightmare, which is looming in October.  

What are you spaffing about, Stenning? Well, on the present trajectory, the old CHIEF system is due to be decommissioned at September’s close, replaced by a CDS system, which appears to have been rushed and full of bugs. At present, pretty much everything is being waved through (hence goods are arriving quicker) and ample potential for smuggling.  

August onwards is the most active point of trading, whereas it bottoms out, come January. The other question is whether traders believe the new system will be rolled out and will migrate accordingly. This also affects imports I.e., goods coming into the UK. Shortages of produce and materials, including foodstuffs, will mean higher prices and grave consequences for many.    

Ending on a happier note, Carbon Cycles has graciously agreed to send me a carbon fork (aluminium alloy steerer) for testing. It’s designed for 26-inch MTB, which is in theory, an excellent candidate for older mountain bikes reinvented as gravel builds and/or those looking to trim the fat. At 918g (uncut) it’s a good bit lighter than the otherwise loveable 4130 “school chair” Cro-Moly pair, resurrected with the disc brake upgrade and will serve as default spares.  

Carbon Cycles set a suggested rider weight limit of 97.5 kilos (215lbs), so no problems there. I will be putting some Helicopter tape around the legs (Zefal Skin Armor Roll ZEFAL SKIN ARMOR ROLL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  is a firm favourite of mine) to protect against cable tie bite and cable rub. Otherwise, no modifications, and I will continue to employ the Gusset Unilock, since it offers more security than the humble Star Fangled Nut.  Right, I'll leave you with my review of the Momum MIC Dry Momum Mic Dry Oil Lube | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

 

Courting Controversy

 

My bars, although particularly Ursula’s Soma Condor II Shallow Drop Bars SOMA CONDOR 2 SHALLOW DROP BARS | (sevendaycyclist.com) court quite a lot of online attention. I had someone get unexpectedly excited about my choice of brake levers, convinced that I am running a dual cable “tandem” model.  

Amusing, since they’re cheap but decidedly cheerful Tektro RL340. There are several benefits to a two-in-one system, such as Dia Compe BRS 400. Tandems, trikes and other specialist builds aside, they can greatly improve the comfort and control for people with reduced hand strength/degenerative conditions.  

Others have failed to grasp that I am running a bar end, not Brifter, and critical about cable emerging from the bar tape. I have taken the more traditional, direct route, so the cable appears from the drops, rather than tops. A more efficient cable run rewards with snappier shifting. Now, I can appreciate the draw of a clean aesthetic, hence I run “aero”, rather than traditional brake levers (where cables exit the tops in a wide arc).  

Makes rummaging in handlebar bags much easier. However, the non-aero type produces a more efficient cable run and make roadside replacements that bit easier. Some models, including Campagnolo Athena (c.1990/91) were reversible, depending upon taste, you could run them aero, or traditional. Indeed, these were the Teenage Dream’s original stoppers-commanding Athena single pivot side pulls., in case curiosity got the better of you.  

Ursula and I spotted some interesting clearings and designated bridleways too. It would’ve been rude not to explore, before returning home to strip the Momum MIC Dry Chain Lube and start testing the Green Oil Dry Chain Wax.  

I’ll end with this fabulous video documenting someone’s home brewed single wheel bike trailer. (599) DIY Bike Bicycle Trailer Build - Part 1 Video Tutorial | Welding and Fabrication - YouTube 

Building bike trailers (I couldn’t afford a Bob Yak/similar back in the late 90s) was the catalyst for me learning to weld. Looking back on it, I would’ve gone the scrap frame route- an old Peugeot Carbolite 103, since these are relatively light, yet very tolerant of being MIG welded. I opted for very thin Columbus, which was much trickier to work with. Sometimes it's not the mistakes we make, but rather what we learn from them.