Oh For The Want Of Taste, Lock-rings and Traditional Clubman’s Braces

Spring has indeed sprung and with it, much fettling of the fleet- new saddle for The Teenage Dream, lightweight aluminium sprocket and matching Pink Halo courier tyre aboard the Holdsworth's enviably smooth Miche rear wheel. Alas, we’re missing a lock ring so the full transformation (and a colour scheme guaranteed to question my masculinity) is on hold until I can acquire some cheap but very cheerfuls. However, we’ve reverted to the super smooth and aptly monikered EAI Superstar 16tooth sprocket seeing as the opportunity presented itself.

Joshua is steadily gaining confidence with his solo but it's just fractionally on the large side and I'm now certain, with a weekend's practice on a balance bike he'd have the basics well and truly licked. Seen a few nice ones but I'm reticent to purchase given the relatively short use-span so I'd be delighted to hear from any UK based readers willing to pass or loan one to me for a modest but fair price. One incident that certainly left little to the imagination occurred while testing these courier knickers-plusses by their more traditional, English name. They’re made from a fairly substantial cotton/nylon mix complete with double seat, soft elasticated leg-grippers with world champion detailing, rear pocket and elasticated waist. Fit is snug, not quite as chic say as the latest generation of ¾ lengths but completes the period look aboard a classic track/road bike, especially worn with the full retro ensemble- Merino wool jersey, shoes and of course, cap. They’re a little warm say for the height of summer-well, eighteen degrees plus at any rate and decent under shorts are a must for longer rides. However, the material repels water better than you’d expect, fleece lining keeps early season chill firmly at bay but whatever you do, invest in a set of braces. These have become as rare as the proverbial hens teeth with the dominance of Lycra bib tights/shorts and my last pair finally succumbed to both the dreaded sag and pitted chrome disease after eighteen years service.

Out for a blast along the lanes, periodically watching the asphalt as it blurred beneath me, I eased out of the saddle ready to conquer the climb (or so I’d have folk believe) when the elastic lost its embrace around my waist, leaving me flashing a lot more than a California smile. Mercifully the woman following in her Mondeo had a sense of humour! A pair of braces was purchased online before the close of business that afternoon. Saddles are another deeply personal matter and in my experience the distinction between road and mtb is often simply down to marketing. Selle Italia’s Flite is one such design classic transcending both genres and arguably a pioneer in the popularity of titanium as a mainstream saddle rail material. The Shiver is wider than my ideal and surprisingly that of the Rolls it replaces-at least on paper (300g does not set pulses racing in 2010) but low-weight and formula’s do not maketh the perfect perch (Sliding from the nose of a classic concor model and catching my fun-sacks squarely on the top tube of my converted Raleigh fixed back in the Summer of 1990 still induces watery eyes). Faux leather covers will appeal to strict vegetarians on an ethical level and being impervious to sweat/water won’t require periodic proofing to keep the hide supple. Manganese rails are worthy enough, siblings of the Cro-moly family oft confused with more exotic magnesium. Some commentators argue this is a deliberate ploy on the part of manufacturers but first impressions seem favourable. Making no secret of my relative disquiet when it comes to the long term health consequences of regular/prolonged exposure chemically brewed miracle cleaners, let alone their effect upon seals and other, more delicate finishes I am presently putting some of this Pedros “Green Fizz” through it’s paces. The foaming formula is claimed to clean all areas of the bike safely and on any surface or material-including carbon fibre. Early indicators are positive, gently removing a healthy layer of congealed marine grease and other light road spray from the Holdsworth’s rear hub and track sprockets. To date it seems gentle to most finishes, yet not quite as potent as some made from natural, citrus based ingredients. However, the next few weeks intensive testing will provide a more accurate measure of its capabilities, or indeed limitations.

Speaking of capability, a chance conversation with a friend has introduced another engineering firm who might be willing to undertake machining of seatposts- I've found a straight-cut, polished Campagnolo Victory which, in theory at least is easier to work on. Assuming said firm is happy to perform the surgery, I'll sell the Thomson and plough monies into another project. Watch this space.....

Missed Opportunities

Sunday morning brought with it a warm and temperate start-the sort I’d been clamouring for. Folding Vittoria freshly aboard the Ma2 wheelset, this was the ideal opportunity for enjoying the Teenage Dream. Setting off along the lane it became immediately obvious the computer’s head mount battery had died-a minor irritation given the sun's warm caress but with each passing mile, I longed to know some indication of speed as I churned along on the 53x12. Traffic was surprisingly busy for mother’s day but mercifully free flowing and relatively placid with ready precession of horse riders, runners and cyclists of various orientations. Mine was a brisk twenty-mile loop narrowly missing some grass roots local racing. Even more frustrating when my little compact Fuji accompanies me wherever I go, safely zipped away in a jersey pocket ready for precisely these occasions. Still, doubtless it'll be one of many as the spring calender gathers momentum. As a ready reckoner, hunkered down on the Spinacci, I had to be averaging a steady twenty, maybe more at a cadence around 90 but had no way of validating this. Life’s full of little disappointments and these quickly evaporated hammering toward home my mind focused on the ride, the machine’s sprightly nature willing me faster in the spirit of ’91-even if tractors were conspicuous by their absence. The shorter Woodman stem was a shrewd move, placing me just the right side of stretched sheltering on the Spinacci. Having witnessed some of the racing action with his grandmother, Joshua was hoping to hear tales of my own racing glory- he has a vague construct of my profession but then children often place their parents on lofty pedestals Ego firmly in check, I speak with some candour of my not-so-glorious racing career concentrating on the fun, the thrills and the odd spill. Tall tales can be riveting, told with a sense of timing, pace and context but gilding the lily isn’t big and it’s certainly not clever. Neither is losing an expensive and moreover, very nice aluminium pump- in this case a Zefal HPX light which bridges the gap between the traditional frame fit and mini type perfectly. Knowing it delivers a very respectable 115psi makes the loss-or hopefully, misplacement all the more frustrating since I’d spent Saturday morning tidying the workshop, purging it of old cardboard boxes and other useless clutter. Rifling through my bedside drawer produced a compatible three- volt replacement battery for the wireless unit. Alas, I had mislaid the wheel circumference in order to calibrate the unit properly with a 24mm tyre. Generic listings on websites are useful rules of thumb but where possible, a precision measurement is always nicer...just remember to note it down in a safe place for next time.
On the subject of measurement, I fear said machines Ti railed perch may be too broad for me across the base. Design classic or otherwise 150m is 7mm wider than my ideal and over longer periods, turning higher cadences is causing some uncomfortable chafing on my inner right thigh. However, this may have more in keeping with a missing insole, which corrects a slight inequality in leg length.

Selling some unwanted kit through various websites has brought out Ebay chancers in their droves. These are easily spotted going for keenly priced stuff, haggling over the price-even postage while insisting they’ll only trade through pay pal or by direct credit transfer- neither of which I am prepared to entertain.

Cheque or postal orders mean it’s harder for monies to go missing and protects the purchaser-it’s also my way of teasing out true intentions. I’ve nothing against people earning a living /additional income through Ebay but when I put goods up for sale, they’re intended for folk who genuinely want and will enjoy them not persons looking to make a quick buck.
Last week I mentioned Paul (Vincent) s latest creation and here’s a photo showing off the twin tube design in all its glory. Fashioned from fillet-brazed Cro-moly, the down and seat tubes are from ¾” T45 while the remainder is dependable 1” Dedaciai. Interested? Paul is based in the south west of England and can be contacted through me in the first instance.

The Ides of March

Beware the ides of March certainly seems apt seeing as both gritting trucks and potholes sizeable enough to cause serious rim and rider damage are constant features of the local landscape. The latter are so deep that even the Univega with its beefy 1.75-inch rough stuff touring rubber is reminding me to skirt round them.

This is rather disappointing, as I’d hoped to start clocking up some sunny day miles aboard the ever evolving Teenage Dream which now sports Shield guards (Zefal’s answer to SKS Race Blades), genuine Cinelli Spinacci-outlawed by the UCI in 2000 but alive, well and subtly modified to incorporate Torch LED end plugs for making best use of those spring and summer evenings. Tempted by tape, I chose to wrap the extensions in redundant inner tube, giving better purchase in full finger gloves and coordinates with the existing cockpit surprisingly well.
Less casual observers will recall plans to machine the Thomson post by point two of a millimetre. The initially sympathetic local engineering firm turned the work down having seen it in the flesh, although this doesn’t come as a complete surprise. Declining work is their right but the time to do so is at the point of initial approach. This inconsistent attitude means I wish them well but shall refrain from passing any future business their way. Never one to wish my life away (afterall, time’s the most precious resource we have and there’s so much to do) I’m looking forward to more temperate conditions and reliving the summer of ’91, tractor racing, enjoying the six am starts, swooping into sun-kissed descents before the ever maddening crowd have chance to rouse from their slumber and command the highways from their Mondeos, Modus and MPVs. Colour coordinated twenty-four millimetre Vittoria tyres add the perfect finishing touch too but to date there’s been insufficient opportunity to put them through their paces, although they take the crown for most difficult tyres to mount, snapping two tyre levers and dealing the fatal blow to my beloved Speed Lever (Thankfully 2pure have taken pity on me, agreeing to supply a replacement as a goodwill gesture). While generally conscious of others’ sensibilities, coarse and agricultural language flowed freely as blood seeped from beneath my thumbnails and tempered frustration bit deep. Rummaging for replacement tyre levers saw these ITM Olympus Tri Bars emerge from the spares box albeit sans fitting kit and tracking down an original is leading me along some very dead ends. Deathly silence from distributors and retailers alike is encouraging some lateral thought and there’s a good chance another brand will operate to similar specification and have a compatible/pattern bracket. These are intended for the Holdsworth seeing as the Spinacci are standard road diameter whereas the Holdsworth’s pursuit types are totally incompatible, oversized, flat sections. Assuming a suitable donor can be found, some trimming of the tri bars will shave a few grams and keep cockpit clutter to a minimum.
I recently acquired a very unusual (and not altogether welcomed) training aid… a didgeridoo no less which isn’t the easiest instruments to play but in keeping with most things it’s about technique rather than brute power. Cycling and wind instruments seem to hold a good symbiosis. Long steady miles and plenty of hill climbing seems to improve my ability to produce something tuneful while half an hours’ daily practice seems to improve lung capacity and my ability to enjoy rather than simply tolerate the climbs. The rider who thundered past me on Sunday morning on his Rosso red crosser complete with a cheery greeting might well sport a very broad inner smile at this suggestion. I could pontificate defensively about taking in the scenery, portly 1.75 tyres adding 800g a piece, not to mention immeasurable rolling resistance but that’s not me-he was simply a faster rider over the lanes seemingly fashioned from treacle. On the subject of fashion, nostalgia, or retro as the marketing folk brand it looks very much here to stay whether in reaction to huge technological change, or the psychological comfort sought in a bygone era perceived as less economically challenging and more socially cohesive. I love and loathe “retro” in equal measure. I love that I can readily acquire production road fixer framesets and components without necessarily paying bespoke prices. I love the availability of stylish, yet practical alternatives to Lycra- continental style plusses, jerseys, caps etc. However, there comes a point where the balance tips and the economics of supply turn bandit on the humble consumer and prices go through the roof.

Non aero brake levers are a case in point, time was when bike shop bargain bins were bulging with cheap but often extremely worthy levers that didn’t demand a change of bar wrap come cable changes, providing better braking thanks to free flowing cables. Slowly but surely supplies are dwindling thanks to the craze for older components, firms such as Dia Tech producing extensive lines of reproduction parts with the obvious cost implications, although in fairness these are typically of superb calibre.

Three speed fixed hubs that weren’t overly popular fifty odd years ago have made a return, albeit given a modern twist but looking into my crystal ball, there’s every chance these will vanish into obscurity just as fast second time round. However, lets not pour too much scorn on these things, fashion is also fun, take what you like, leave what you don’t.

Take Paul Vincent’s second frame building project. Another fixer, made again from fillet brazed Columbus; it sports the visually stunning and technically divisive twin lateral design, which he says handles remarkably given such frames are regularly criticised for their inherent lack of lateral stiffness. But more on that later.....

Zen and the art of remaining conspicuous

Just when we thought it was safe to venture out for a bit of playtime aboard the best bikes, the weather turns bandit once more. The Univega is not only my four seasons go anywhere, ultra dependable machine that laughs at greasy, poorly maintained lanes, the howling wind, the pouring rain it is my Zen bike.
I mentally compose complete features, test copy, these columns and even tales of the macabre/fantastic perched atop the beautifully moulded Gran Compe saddle and piloting our course via the super size WTB drops. Turning eighty odd revolutions per minute and at around 17mph we’re swift enough to get somewhere but sociable should I choose and the moments present themselves.Freezing temperatures, snow showers, sleet and iced tarmac seem perpetual features and so the Univega remains my default option which is a shame seeing the second Knog sensor arrived in the post courtesy of Moore Large- the brands UK importer. However, optimistically, I fitted it to the Holdsworth’s fork and checked our earlier success wasn't simply a fluke.
The Univega runs a Knog Gator 305 Ni-MH rechargeable lamp as the main source of front illumination. This has developed an uncharacteristic susceptibility at very low temperatures-the battery critical after only seventy odd minutes use. Despite having donned Respro HI-Viz gillet, being festooned in acres of Scotchlite and blinking LEDs I felt acutely vulnerable-reinforced by the refusal/inability of many oncoming drivers to dip their headlamps. The little three-watt nuke light would’ve made my passage home so much safer and this crucial omission was beginning to mar the starry sky's serenity.

The rhythmic flickering of my rear LEDs drew me to reflect upon their burn times- both the imaginatively named Cherry bomb nestled in the rack bag’s woven tab and the fibre flare flexible wand riding shot-gun on the Topeak carrier have exceeded their manufacturer quoted run times- the former in its fifty-fifth hour, fifteen past the optimum quoted. Given that I have tested Night Rider’s assertions, literally-freezing it in a block of ice and generally subjecting it to filthy conditions without impairing performance; there’s little doubt the Cherry Bomb is one of the best available.

Other models, including Cat-Eye’s LD 600 have enjoyed ridiculously long production lives, spawning seemingly identical, badge-engineered and slightly cheaper copies which is evidence not only of proven design but good news for consumers. Some raise concerns over suspect seals (not my experience of the breed) but it's best mounted vertically to the seatpost so not to spoil a bike’s clean lines.
The pro helmet lobby have returned with a vengeance on both sides of the Atlantic, pressuring for compulsion despite their own successive studies indicating other factors are more significant than helmet use and helmets themselves make little difference beyond certain speeds. Fiercely anti-compulsion-whether this be directed at adults, children or universally, I choose to wear mine most rides and lead by example where Joshua’s concerned. However, I’m willingly seduced by the tantalising caress of the breeze through my hair-especially on temperate spring and summer days and sometimes, I just prefer a close fitting clubman’s cap.Intrigued by folklore since early childhood, the Russian made flax linen socks kindly supplied by Mila Ptashenko (http://www.burls.co.uk/) have certainly impressed with their soft tactile feel and the natural, chemical free manufacturing process contributes to good foot health/hygiene. Given the price of basic nylon cycling socks at a shade under £6, these represent excellent value for money and enjoy longevity on par with expensive Merino offerings. Continuous washing and wearing hasn’t revealed any telltale weaknesses (due to a deformed big toe, I am notoriously hard on socks) so I will invest in a good few pairs for both cycling and civilian wardrobes when the next opportunity presents itself. So from chic to geek…I’ve been playing with mirrors- helmet mirrors no less. Yes, these are more “paranoid dentist” than fixer fashionable but they do have some merits for riders with compromised neck mobility. With the notable exception of Bike Eye- a lightweight racing mirror mounting between the frame's head and down tubes, helmet mirrors are less prone to vibration and so long as the optical components are good quality can prove useful for trailer/ tag-along tugging. However, there’s never a substitute for periodic checking over the shoulder. Helmets also make useful mounting points for lighting and cameras. Experimentation using my compact Fuji aboard the Univega’s beefy drops I achieved some very passable still shots but road vibration induced the inevitable camera shake. Helmet cams are falling in price to the point where £70 odd buys a very cheerful, lightweight example. Watch this space….

Called To The Bar

A fit of pique saw me change the Holdsworth’s arguably gorgeous Nitto cockpit in favour of this ultra stiff BBB flat section aero bar and shorter Outland stem configuration. Dun might not be the most exciting of finishes but blends nicely with the blue, black & pink livery. More importantly, I sought a shorter reach and the improved rigidity is a bonus. The flat sections are designed to accommodate aerobars but restrict brake lever choice to traditional road or TT types and while drilled for internal cable routing, running them outside results in smoother lines and better braking without compromising comfort. I was fortunate enough to salvage the flamingo pink bike ribbon-not the most obvious, or manly choice but one to which I have developed fierce attachment. Greater rigidity really sharpens the front end, making handling that little bit crisper while the flat sections provide convenient, if unintentional resting points for the palms.

The rather fetching slimline computer with phenomenally clear display has been substituted because I didn’t have any of the ultra slender cable ties needed to secure it to the bars and the wiring along fork leg- it may even see a return once some skinny ties come under my radar but the Echowell is neat, tidy and perfectly adequate for now…Well at least it was until the sensor made a bid for freedom at 25mph along the back roads… This continues a generic theme of electrical woe, my Li-on camera battery charger awaiting replacement having expired without warning three weeks ago. Manufacturers will argue to the contrary but in practice compatibility isn’t an exact science… My garage has played host to extensive late-night experimentation with redundant wireless sensors until we struck gold. Gentle cajoling couldn’t persuade this Cat Eye cordless II to capitulate with the Echowell but perseverance saw the Univega’s play nicely. Encased in medical grade silicone I was convinced the sensor wouldn’t communicate but much to my surprise, spinning the wheel induced the familiar muted bleeping while the head unit flickered into life, giving more consistent and accurate readings than most stock models!
Wired designs offer the last word in accuracy but are more vulnerable to damage during headset and other front-end overhaul. So, the solution to this and slightly fiddly escapee sensor mounts, is to continue with the wireless theme and purchase a second tool-free Knog type from the UK importer. Patience and carefully reasoned experimentation can prove extremely satisfying.

Winter, given light is very much of a premium, is the season for big reflective projects, bike builds and/or reconfigurations ready for spring and summer’s call when the workload is more consistent and the extended evenings buy greater time. Paul (Vincent) has revealed a little of his second build, apparently a twin seat and down tube design but needing paint to bring the concept alive. He’s also kindly agreed to have a meander through his spares bin in search of a dynamo lamp.

Hmm, I suddenly feel the need for something classic, a rigid mtb frameset with taller head tube (allowing me to use Midge or similar flared drops without recourse to stems with 35 degree rise), Surly type ends meaning it can accomodate various derailleur/hub geared or fixed guises oh and assorted bottle bosses/other nick-nacks too…Topped off with dove grey powder coat for a durable and unassuming (read less likely to get noticed and stolen) finish.

Clearing out the old Ka unearthed these salmon colour Kool-stops ripe for replacing the Univega's OEM Dia Compe pads-being a much softer compound gives significantly improved bite in the wet, although they’ve demanded some very precise toe-in to prevent the banshee screech upon applying the front brake in anger. Ironic since I timed the upgrade to coincide with a thorough purging of the rims' filthy sidewalls but a few longish rides are starting to see them settle down and the wintrier weather forecast should only accelerate this process.Drawing parallels with diamonds, hours are precious and not to be squandered but hopefully the spring will invite some warmer weather, allowing greater playtime aboard the Holdsworth and Teenage Dream. Right now, most mileage is courtesy of the tubby tourer with its big, supple tyres, stable, yet engaging handling and wide fenders keeping man and machine from being drenched in spray, minimising the need for perpetual post ride cleaning.

Fad Diets & Testing Times

The Univega seems to have developed a very expensive, not to mention inconvenient inner tube habit, chomping through four since the New Year. The culprit would appear to be the Kenda small block eight’s soft casings, vulnerable to penetration by shards of glass and other sharps on the seasonally slimy winter roads-especially those with a layering of horse dung. In the interests of reliability, I’ve reverted to the ultra dependable GEAX 1.5 semi slicks. This might be at the expense of some versatility but they’ll sail through winter grime sans hiss. However, a Kenda self-healing tube and my beloved speed lever have re-emerged so my world is once again round. On the subject of round, those Miche wheels I introduced in my last entry are ones to write home about-easily on par with the Halo Aero rage and a marked improvement over those commonly found on production fixers. In keeping with the Halo, mid section rims and super smooth large flange hubs make for an extremely refined and yet reliable four season’s package-they’ll even entertain tyres up to 32mmm wide. However, tubes with super long valve stems are a must in order to get pump connectors aboard. Seasonal salt, grease and grime have made little impression on the anodised sidewalls or the highly polished hubs and despite all-too regular pothole encounter they’ve remained perfectly true and tensioned

Other colours include Blue, Red, Silver and Gold so there’s something for all tastes and livery. These are a wheelset befitting the Holdsworth on a permanent basis meaning the Ilpompino can have its hoops back complete with 38mm rubber and the quasi-crosser makeover can progress as planned-albeit sans carbon fork. Forks tend to be the one area traditionally overbuilt on production bikes and said beast is no exception, although this surgery will coincide with headset replacement or similarly invasive procedure.
Elsewhere, I’ve come to the conclusion that Joshua requires a “Balance bike” to perfect his handling skills and moreover confidence- even with big wide bars rotated within easy reach, his inseam isn’t quite long enough, hampering his ability to get the flats of his feet down at the crucial loss-of-balance point. Credit where due, his coordination is good and learning to relax sees further improvement but I’d like to bring his skill and confidence base along as efficiently as possible. From here, the second-hand Raleigh acquired through David Hunt-our local recycle agent will come into it’s own and I’ve promised him a set of enduro type mtb fenders as further incentive. Contacting David this week in the context of a dynamo lamp, I was shocked to learn from his wife Diana that he died suddenly in October and would like to publicly offer my sincerest condolences to the family.

On the subject of recycling, I’ve resurrected this original leather covered Turbo saddle and earmarked it for the Teenage dream once I’ve found time to drop the featherweight Thompson post at a local engineering firm for machining to the smaller 27.0 diameter. Not urgent by any means but dormant projects grate on me and while a fair weather mount, I’d also like to fit some of the race blade type guards to extend its horizons-especially during the spring months, notorious for their changeable weather fronts.
Paul Vincent, long time friend and fellow scribe who so generously donated the Holdsworth frameset has turned his attentions to the torch. Judging by this photo, his first effort looks very, very alluring. Made from fillet brazed plain gauge Columbus Cromor and finished in a very fetching matt black, a’la Mad Max it screams eyeballs-out, no compromise TT rocket. He’s working on his second, seemingly top-secret build and I’m getting very excited at the prospect of seeing both machines in the flesh. Watch this space…. One of the diesel strength coffee faithful, some might be surprised to find me partaking in tea…I’ve no love of that considered quintessentially English. Authentic Indian Chai and Rubious variants have always been warmly received but this “Clarity” herbal brew pleasantly surprises me. Combining a sweet, spicy flavour with stimulant properties, it encourages focus for long periods without caffeine’s unwelcome come down or diuretic properties that could make it the perfect pre/post ride beverage.

The Great Thaw

After two weeks comprising of casual fettling, inspecting potential car purchases and generally making best use of enforced saddle-leave, the coldest weather front in over two decades finally relented leaving water-logged roads and the need for mudguards-hence my first official ride of 2010 was aboard the Univega. This also presented the ideal opportunity for testing some fantastic little commuter lighting. Power to weight, the curiously monikered Nuke light easily knocks 5watt lead-acid lamps into the shade. Better still, it charges from the USB port or mains in just over three hours and the tool free handlebar bracket means it goes on and off in a flash.

Talking of flash, the sudden thaw brought legions of cyclists, from old couples aboard tandems to young families and competitive road racers freed from turbo trainer slavery flocking to the highways and byways. Unfortunately, I'd forgotten to swap the gorillapod from Univega to Teenage Dream so you'll have to settle for this shot of said machine lazing on the outskirts of Peldon village. More fun comes courtesy of this Miche Xpress road-fixed wheelset. Mid section anodized rims with machined sidewalls are laced two cross to shapely large-flange hubs turning on super smooth cartridge bearings, promising a heady blend of zip for time trialing and reliability for four seasons' road duties. Rumour suggests they're growing in acclaim amongst the dispatch mob which bodes well for us mere mortals.

With a moderate £200 asking price they're a touch pretty for daily drivers left locked for long periods in and around slum neighbourhoods and those lured by the thrills and spills of fixed gear 'cross racing will find small flange hubs deliver a smoother ride. That said, first impressions are very favourable and I'll return with a more comprehensive report five hundred or so miles from now...

I've also received a pair of the Russian made Flax linen socks From Mila Ptashenko of Pure Linen so we'll see if the claimed health giving properties ward off the evil eye, keeping me sans germs for the remainder of winter. 2010 seems to be forging ahead at phenomenal speed relative to my sense of achievement but maybe there's some truth in the old adage of things being darkest before the dawn and hopefully lighter evenings will resurrect my creative spark. Another nice surprise is this Gusset stem arriving in today's post. With thirty-five degree rise and detailing topping that of models costing twice as much, it may provide the optimum position for tarmac and trail duties aboard the Univega.

Business took me to Cambridge, a city synonymous with academic excellence and one with an enviably safe cycling environment. Cyclists and pedestrians co-exist peaceably and without incident-even in the main shopping areas while the extensive network of generous cycle lanes provide seamless connection to suburbia. Refreshingly driver behaviour/attitudes seems notably improved with fewer incidents or aggressive undertones. Joe and Joanna public all too frequently assumes that vehicle taxation pays for road maintenance and thus use this(consciously or otherwise) to legitimate irrational and downright intimidatory behaviours towards more vulnerable traffic. Roads are of course, maintained and developed through direct taxation-irrespective of whether a motor vehicle is owned/used on the public highway.
Reminiscent of Amsterdam, there's a real sense of liberation in watching heavy, single speed hacks trickling along the car free concourse, the gentle tinkle of bells and rattle of chain guards/fenders announcing their presence to passers by. Cycle parking can border on abandonment thanks to sheer numbers but the seemingly progressive local authority has addressed this with the construction of large, secure, multi storey parking nestling alongside short stay car provision .

Fixers were conspicuous by their absence and glancing at them drew suspicious stares from their owners so the little Fuji stayed tucked away in my breast pocket. Common to most cities, theft is a serious problem and while this particular region isn't beset with the same degree of socio-economic hardship as some inner city locations, relative affluence, a transient population and ready motorway links translate into higher insurance premiums.

Consistent supply and demand means machines are offered openly for sale on street markets at suspiciously keen prices. The uncomfortable truth is so long as people remain ignorant/indifferent to stolen property, it will continue to flourish. Thieves lack the rudimentary values of mercy and compassion and simplistically, continue their sordid activities because they can. Punishment and consequence are infrequent relative to economic reward while such behaviour is labeled "victimless"-they get a bike from someone who's insured and therefore likely to get a new/better machine anyhow. Bicycle theft is curiously regarded as small beer to police and public alike but frequently just another avenue of organised crime incorporating car, van, motorcycle theft accompanied by drug and people trafficking/ money laundering of industrial proportion.

Anyone unfortunate enough to lose a treasured bike will confirm that insurance payouts are a last resort, sugaring the economic loss yet never replacing the memories of racing glory, epic rides, good times and bad told in nicked frame enamel and worn anodizing. Gone to pay for a fix, settle a debt or fill an order book!

Poverty and/or lack of opportunity are the over simplistic, default explanations for such phenomenon but fundamentally flawed rationale's. Much of the world lives in genuine poverty but does not steal. On a lighter note, the region has many fine bike shops and on the strength of my visit, a disproportionate number of hairdressers/barbers too-a bi-product of unprecedented incidences of helmet hair?