Rough Ride

 

The freelance world can be a rough one and I’ve taken on other roles, from previous careers as a financial anchor for many years. However, these have become progressively less palatable, to the point I’m fostering a genuine sense of resentment toward them.  Role aside, I’ve had little or no connection to those I work alongside and am managed by either. 

This tells me I need to change something and strive for better, to leave the high pressure, skilled but poorly rewarded work behind. However, as others in this position will attest, you must change, not simply walk away.  

 

For previous generations and many years, there was a linear pattern. You could be assured of a comfortable life, even working a menial job. People didn’t need to adapt, or necessarily develop. Decent quality housing stock, solid public services, schools, and other societal fabrics meant a safety net, social mobility and some might even say cohesion. I would argue this, married to economic decline and neo-liberalist economics are prime culprits.  

 

Some might also argue the pre-existing social contact, also taken for granted, is broken.  

 

I was also slightly perturbed by Kona’s rapid disappearance from the Sea Otter Classic Show in California. Unclear what’s going on there but I for one, would be deeply saddened if the name were to disappear, or possibly worse, become a bargain basement brand, as happened to several British marques over the decades. I have since learned that the parent company has announced redundancies, and the brand is being sold on. 

 

As for those British marques, I still have a fondness for the Barry Hoban range of road bikes, British Eagle, Carlton (although they were part of Raleigh by this point). Talking of Raleigh, I still have a fondness for their special products division and some fabulous tourers- The Randonneur and slightly lowlier Royale in particular.  

A friend had the latter a 21.5-inch 531St tubed model back in 1989. It featured a bio pace crankset, four-point carrier, 700x28c Michelin tyres and Weinman Cantilevers – I rode it a few times as a teenager and found it fun and responsive.  

 

Back to Kona (which he also had within his stable). These were groundbreaking machines in the late 80s and early 90s. Geometry still feels current, and the design perfectly suited to the British climate and conditions. Joe Murray’s influence made the Lava dome and Cinder Cone magnets for my teenage imagination and empty wallet. These had a splatter effect paint finish, which was supposedly designed so you could touch up any chips discretely, and have unique, custom paint. Marin’s Bear Valley was another, as was their decidedly out- of- my budget Team Titanium....Hmm.... Again, I love retro, providing there’s scope for modernisation and I’m paying fair, not fancy prices.  

In the UK at least, it's not unusual for temperatures to dip around Easter, leading to April. However, I was somewhat surprised to find it sliding from 18 degrees to 3 degrees, prompting a switch back from the Espresso and Cycology jerseys to the Castelli Entrata Castelli Entrata Thermal Bib Knickers | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) Bib Knickers and occasionally, the Madison bib tights and jersey cum jacket with Cycology Summit Jersey as a base-layer (a role it performs very well).  

 

The Cycology Baja Cap being slightly thicker and with a greater cotton content also retained some welcome warmth, although I stayed temperate wearing the Madison Roam Gloves Madison Roam Gloves | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). Talking of Cycology, here’s my review of the Cycology 8 Day Handlebar Tape Cycology 8 days Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). 

 

Ursula’s front Continental Cross King had succumbed to the first flat, although I was relieved to find it the following morning, not mid ride. Time was short, so I plucked the fixed gear winter/trainer from its hanger and headed out for a faster-paced road blast.  

 

Ursula’s flat boiled down to a tiny hole near the tube’s seam and easily repairable, though I couldn’t find anything lodged within the tyre casing. I fitted another Cross King to the Alfine wheel and replaced the tube in the Ryde/SP wheel, switching the over for the time being until I found opportunity to wash and clean the tyre thoroughly. I couldn’t find any holes or cuts I the casing, so nothing to plug with superglue.  

 

The following day, my postman delivered this Cyc Plus AS2 Pro max mini, compressor- type inflator. This will deliver 120psi in around 7.5 seconds, which makes it a more practical option for road bikes and there’s an integral digital gauge, so you don’t ram this into a 26x2.0 maxing out at 65.  

 

Setting the pressure before you get going also means it will automatically shut off upon reaching that pressure. They claim it will inflate 7 29x2.2 mtb tyres from a single, full charge, which is also impressive. Measuring 54x32x81mm It may be a little big for jersey pockets but fine for bar bags and similar luggage. Will be interesting to see how it compares with the Fumpa pump FUMPA PUMP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)         

War Of The Waxes...

The Fixed Gear Winter Trainer is sticking with the Peaty’s Link Lube All Weather Premium lube since it’s an exceptionally clean, stoical formula ideally suited to a wealth of riding contexts thanks to its durability and cleanliness. Qualities that are seemingly ideal for high-milage bikes generally and daily drivers specifically.   

Improving weather has meant the Holdsworth has also seen more regular action. I’ve treated the Holdsworth and Ursula to Blub Wax and The Teenage Dream the Peaty’s Link Lube All Weather. Both need surgically clean drivetrains but are otherwise self-cleaning, easily topped up and generally low maintenance. 

The Blub Wax contains wax and water in an emulsion. Traditionally (although this is changing) waxes took a long time to cure. Blub reckons 5 minutes (at least in temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees, which many would consider ideal conditions). In my experience, at the lower end of this scale, its closer to 90-minutes, the wax turning from a creamy, candlewax white to a glaze. Blub say it also employs a petrochemical part that improves adhesion, or to use their words “fixation” to the transmission.  

In common with the Ceramic stablemate, the Wax seems relatively durable, at least so long as you’re riding at least every other day. Not an issue on a daily driver, or training rig but not for a best/weekend pet. Suggests the lubricant almost regenerates with use, in the same fashion a highly sophisticated synthetic motor oil that gets regenerated under the oil pump’s pressure (and explaining why this breed of motor oil is not suitable for bicycle chains).  

Looks like I may be topping up the Holdsworth’s quite regularly, maybe something like the Wolf Tooth WT-1 Chain Lube for All Conditions is a better bet… Staying with the Holdsworth, switching its BBB Razor for the 137mm Smanie GT was an inspired choice, proving more supportive at key points.  

I’ve also decided to switch the Hutchinson Hutchinson Challenger Tyre | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) in favour of the Schwalbe One 365. AS budget tyres go, there’s a lot to like about the Hutchinson, but in my experience, they are quite vulnerable to sharps. The Schwalbe One 365 are a little lighter, too, despite being 28mm (the Hutchinson are 25) and the “original” fork blades permit much bigger rubber than the Carbon Acor. Not that I’d want to go bigger than 30c, given the bike’s a sunny day’s plaything but nice to have the choice. Otherwise, I have no plans to change the spec…Famous last words.    

I’ve had some unexpected problems with the Ravemen XR6000 battery Ravemen XR6000 Front Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).  I initially thought it had succumbed to some ingress, since it wouldn’t power up and the battery charge indicator window was disturbingly dark, even when plugged into the mains for a couple of hours. Following my hung around possible water ingress.  

I treated the charge port and plugs to a short blast of MO94 Muc-Off MO94 Multi Use Spray | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). WD40 or Joker 440 Motorex Joker 440 | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) were the other options. Any synthetic water displacer would suffice, provided it didn’t contain PTFE since PTFE (Teflon) impairs electrical connectivity. Still nothing, despite leaving it overnight. Bob Elliot & Co (Ravemen’s UK importer) were really supportive, liaising with Ravemen’s engineers and feeding back.  

Ultimately, we’d reached the point where a new battery was offered. For some reason I asked to hold fire, some force urging me to place it in the airing cupboard and revisiting the next morning. If this didn’t result in the battery springing to life and charging, I would’ve admitted defeat and gratefully accepted a replacement.  

Seems the gods of high-power lighting systems looked kindly upon me. Plugging it into the mains, the charge indicator came alive and suggested it was receiving charge. This was a little slower than I’d expected, requiring 7.5 hours but the display denoted fully juiced. I unplugged and decided an evening ride would be the acid test.  Relieved, everything came together and a sustained two- second press of the XR6000’s remote brought the lamp to life.  

I toggled down to 500 lumens, threw a leg over the top tube and scooted off, battling a headwind but pleased all seemed well with the battery once more. I concluded the ride by treating the port and connectors to another light, precautionary squirt of MO94 before popping Ursula away and putting the bins out.  So far, its operating normally and I hope this continues.  I’ll leave here with my review of the Cycology 8 Days Handlebar Tape Cycology 8 days Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)