Miles of Contemplation

 

January can feel eerily quiet, and an exceptionally long month. One that can lend itself to all sorts of introspection. Found myself looking at Chinese carbon forks again. Not sure what prompted this, but before that idea became the ONLY idea, I reminded myself that I had only recently acquired a decent Cro-Moly set, mount adaptors, and Topeak Versa Mount TOPEAK VERSAMOUNT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)...I also had a hunch I’ve some Axiom Axle Runners, which would’ve been a much better fit, aligning the stays in a much kinder, aesthetically pleasing way.  

Couldn’t find them for love nor money...Thankfully I spotted some stainless-steel Día Compe ENE Ciclo Fender Stay Adaptors, which work to the same principle.  One drilling slips over the quick release skewer, the mudguard (fender) stays bolt on to the eyelet ends.  

 

“All fit for purpose, so use what you already have” My inner dialog gently concluded. I was also rather pleased to receive Topeak Tailux 100, the 30’s bigger sibling, boasting a 100lumen daylight flash, 9 LEDs and four modes, so doesn’t feel overburdened and overly complex, in the way some models can.  The Lelumia Beast Light also arrived, so I wasted no time charging and mounting. 

There were other quiet temptations, searching for old machines/framesets I had lusted after in my late teens.  

A 1990 Orbit Frontier, being the most notable example. I still see the odd MTB frameset (and occasionally, complete bike) bouncing around the forums and auction sites, but it was the drop bar model that always fired my imagination.  

531 tube set, full complement of braze-ons, 700x38c tyres, full length guards, XT thumb shifters and an eclectic finishing kit. The sort typical of the then Dudley-based marque, during that era. Intrigue rather than intent and I certainly wouldn’t pay fancy prices for a frameset.  

Not a question of Nostalgia talking. Rather, the concept really fired my imagination-just like the Muddy Fox Trailblazer and Specialized Rock Combo.   

My fleet has always run in two parallels. Lightweight, pared to the essentials’ competition machines and practical, four seasons daily drivers-whether they be tourers, trainers, or mtb based hybrids.  

Hang on to a bike long enough, and it will become a custom machine, by default. Chains, tape, tyres, cassettes, rings etc all get replaced, and often upgraded. Ursula is a prime example of this phenomenon but the same goes for my fixed gear winter/trainer. Only the frame and two Aheadset spacers remain of the latter’s original, 2005 build.   

Extra UK, Topeak’s distributor also sent me an interesting set of Capgo cables. Aside from highly polished inners, the outers feature a “specially developed” PTFE grease, which promises reduced friction and improved longevity.  Timely, given Ursula’s planned disc upgrade.  

Retro is fun. However, Nostalgia is misguided, some might say delusional.  

Too many people in the UK seem to believe it has the world influence it did c. 1950. Then of course, there were those romanticizing austerity as being the return to a halcyon time of collectivism, “pulling together” and social cohesion.  

Taken to its logical conclusion, since the onset of this pandemic, I've been bombarded by references to a “blitz spirit” (Often by those born in the mid-1990s. Can’t see folks swapping their Audi Q8 for a single-cylinder Matchless & Sidecar outfit, somehow-even allowing for declining living standards and rising prices). Could the UK revisit petrol rationing, as it did between 1945 and 1957, then later, in the 1970s? It does seem to be lurching from one crisis to another and with no obvious end in sight.  

 A few months ago, it was looking less dystopian. The resurgence in cycling as a form of mainstream personal and goods transportation has been very heartening. Infrastructure nurturing this growth is lagging chronically behind, which is still discouraging people in cities and other urban areas. Contexts where e and cargo bikes come into their own.  

Having navigated the capital on bicycles and motorcycles for 12 years, I adapted to, rather than reveled in the traffic-light grand Prix, uninsured drivers, jaywalking pedestrians, and general chaos. Improved my handling skills and roadcraft no end and gifted me some interesting stories. Grassroots racing at Temple Mills Lane and Herne Hill Velodrome are also fond memories.   

Happy to engage with other riders, I like the freedom, prefer the solitude and ability to process my thoughts. Similar story with motorcycles. I am an introvert, which, contrary to popular misconception doesn’t mean I am shy, or socially awkward. Rather, I need time alone, to recharge, reflect and process.   

Many developed economies are beginning to “bounce back” albeit modestly, given the pandemic but the projection is looking as if the UK, specifically Britain, will continue to decline, due in part to a political administration that has no tangible economic plan.  

There is also a chronic shortage of certain skills, which much of the UK appears reluctant and/or unqualified to assume. Continuous development has been a buzzword for a couple of decades and various initiatives were established to improve the skills and life chances of those, often at the lower end of the socio-economic ladder. Well-intentioned, the target audiences either weren’t aware or weren’t able to access them.   

There is of course, a regional slant. Many vacancies are not found in “left behind” communities. Contexts where the infrastructure and indeed, geographical mobility is similarly disadvantaged.  

 

OK, so it’s not difficult to appreciate a longing for a warm, comfortable time, especially during a time of great uncertainty and economic turbulence. However, the rejection of qualified commentary and nuanced opinions in favour of simplistic, popularism is very worrying, on so many levels. However, as modern history confirms, people are very easily mobilised in certain directions.  

Back in the saddle, I’ve reached my conclusions regarding the Gecko Calf Length Waterproof Socks GECKO CALF LENGTH WATERPROOF SOCKS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

and the Oxford Venture Jacket Fierce red OXFORD VENTURE JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Sorting the Small Stuff

Holiday season has been about sorting the small jobs. Some that can be a little fiddlier than first thought, others that subvert trouble, (which would otherwise strike at the least convenient moment). As often happens, one thing led to another. Having popped Ursula back on her hook, I inspected my fixed gear winter/trainer’s TRP Sypre SLC. A quick spin of the wheel and pump of the lever revealed binding pads and a badly frayed able at the TRP caliper’s pinch bolt.  

No deliberation there, time for replacement. Cables are another area where it’s worth spending a bit extra, particularly with discs, in my experience. I’ve gone for the stainless TRP with compression less housing. Much easier to setup, not least since there’s no/minimal cable stretch. Feed through, tension, snug tight, pump the lever ten times...done.  

A close friend and I were recently discussing hydraulics and why I hadn’t taken that route. I concluded it's more about complication, rather than cost. Sure, there’s no arguing with their refinement, and a well setup hydraulic system can largely be left to its own devices, save for periodic bleeding.  Even so, a cable is more convenient to acquire, especially if something should go pear shaped miles from home/civilisation. Besides, I’m familiar and fond of the TRP Spyre and its marginally more upmarket SLC sibling.   

Since I had to unwrap the Velo Orange Rubbery Bar Tape VELO ORANGE RUBBERY BAR TAPE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) to perform the cable swap, I took the opportunity to switch to this Ciclovation Grind Touch Grind tape, which superficially, looks almost identical to the Velo Orange.  

To my surprise, density is 3mm, whereas the Velo Orange is 3.5mm but the backing adhesive is superior. A gummy, rather than sticky strip, meaning it’s easier to install and correct, should need arise. It also bodes well, for cable and other replacements, later down the line, when things have weathered a little. Trail distribution also kindly sent me a Lelumia The Beast Trail Light, which boasts a 150lumen day flash and a couple of 100lumen flashing modes, and a 65lumen alt flash.  

All have promise impressive run times- between 4 and 18 hours. Alas, mine’s yert to arrive-seems one was pilfered in the post, so another has been released.  I’ve also received this Topeak Tailux30 USB Rear Light. As the name suggests, it delivers a maximum of 30lumens and three modes, from the twin diodes. 30 hour run time in the flashing mode is also very favourable but only real-world miles will tell.  

Recent years have seen a resurgence in the lumens race, to the point where some lights pump out 450 lumens in daylight running mode. However, I’ve traditionally found 30 lumens potent enough for town, through to semi-rural contexts and adequate for the backroads.  

I’m still fond of the Night Rider Solas and more recently, Ravemen TR30 M Rear Light RAVEMEN TR30M REAR LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), which also uses two diodes. Lumens aren’t the only gauge mind. I’ve found Ravemen CL05 Sensored Rear Light RAVEMEN CL05 SENSORED REAR LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and Its CLO6 sibling RAVEMEN CL06 SENSORED REAR LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) far more visible than numbers alone suggest.    

 

Ursula clearly got jealous, responding with some front brake squeal/judder. Easily rectified with a quick tweak of the pads, straddle wire and some subtle snugging down. I’d given the pads a glaze check-nothing doing, and I knew the rim was relatively clean- squeaky, once I'd given the old girl and thorough sudsy bucket scrub. I also took this opportunity to slot the Torque Covert7 Crank Multitool into the Deore Crank.  

 

Grot, scuzz, gunge, slurry...Whatever your pet name for winter’s slimy cocktail, there’s usually a fair bit that lodges within the cassette, derailleur and ring(s). Especially if you are using a wet chain lube. I got busy with the cassette claw and some neat degreaser, which scooped away the lion’s share of skanky stuff. 

During the cold, darker months, products like Weldtite Jet Blast Degreaser WELDTITE JET BLAST DEGREASER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) are potent, super convenient starters. Strong solvents melt the congealed, oily mess. Agitate with a stiff bristled brush, adding some less intense degreaser, scrub and then rinse with tepid water. Blends, including Muc Off Ludicrous AF require a most sustained marinate. MUC OFF LUDICROUS AF CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Household washing-up liquids are something I’d generally avoid but are also surprisingly effective. If you must go this route, say on a cassette, whip the wheel out, scrub with the cassette pointing toward the ground. Rinse, first using warm and then cold water. Rinse any splashes from painted, plated, polished, and anodised surfaces, too.  

As many will point out, citrus degreasers are also very aggressive, so take similar precautions, and even on a plated surface, such as a cassette, or chain, don’t exceed 2 minutes before rinsing and drying.   

Then of course, there’s been tube patching, segregating those which are easily repaired and those, which are essentially bin fodder. Patches and vulcanising solution are pivotal to successful salvage. For me, Rema Tip Top are the best going, although I’ve had good results from Hutchinson, as shown in the photo, and Decathlon’s kits have been a pleasant surprise, too.