Riding Out & Letting Rip

  

Progressively lighter mornings have meant I’ve switched from the mighty Sigma Buster HL 2000 SIGMA SPORT BUSTER HL 2000 | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), to a compact Ravemen torch slipped into a jersey, or gilet pocket (for roadside inspections).   

Lighter Abus lid, especially since I spend more time on the Holdsworth and Teenage Dream. MTB biased lids, though aesthetically fine on a cross, touring, or gravel bike look weird on pure road bikes.  

5 am starts have been a theme for the past two years but have often proved the best move, in the event of poor sleep and/or periodic nightmares. While matters have been explored and addressed. I retain a small but significant and seemingly permanent disconnect from the civilian world. We have a right to our feelings; we do not have a right to negatively project them upon others. Riding as therapy is a common theme. Simon Parker is another author exploring his own journeyRIDING OUT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

The Motoverde PTFE chain lube continues to impress with its longevity and staying prowess. 500 miles down the line, it behaves like a middleweight wet lube, with similar cleanliness, although conditions have been relatively dry, so I'd expect at least 700, from a single helping. Lots of brands suggest their chain lubes are also suitable for cables and other surfaces, which isn't always so. Thankfully, the Motoverde is keeping inner wires happy, ditto cleat hardware (although grease would be my default, especially during the winter months.) 

Not that I’ve needed to, but Motoverde confirmed my suspicions that it shouldn’t be topped up. Rather, drivetrain components should be thoroughly cleaned with Motoverde Drivetrain Cleaner Motoverde Drivetrain Cleaner | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), or indeed, your stripper of choice, first. Introducing the chain checker confirms the KMC chain remains in good health. While searching for the crown race tool, I uncovered a couple of replacements, which was another welcome surprise.  

The ORP Smart horn TESTED: ORP SMART HORN (sevendaycyclist.com) has been playing flashing companion to the K-lite Bike Packer Pro dynamo- just to announce my presence to other early risers, before the lamp kicks in.  

Not needed to deploy the horn function (not sure if rabbits or red deer would respond positively to it, either). True, the Spyre SLC/ Swiss Stop Swiss Stop Catalyst Disc Rotor | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) braking upgrades certainly help on the aversion front. I’m pleased to report the Tektro RL340 are fully compatible, and I won’t be switching to a V brake compatible model.

I've adjusted the cable tension very slightly, due to periodic binding issues and added an additional strip of  Zefal Skin Armor ZEFAL SKIN ARMOR ROLL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) on the fork leg, to prevent cable rub induced paint damage. I’ve also switched the Velo Orange Rubbery Bar Tape VELO ORANGE RUBBERY BAR TAPE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and Ciclovation Grind Touch CICLOVATION GRIND TOUCH BAR TAPE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) for this 3.5mm thick Ergon Bar Tape Gravel. 

The Holdsworth and Teenage Dream’s dual-pivot Miche calipers are also extremely efficient stoppers and (especially with the upgraded front pads) I’d not revert to period-authentic single pivot designs, including the original Campagnolo Athena- much as I love their aesthetic.   

Though conditions are increasingly spring like, dawn and evenings can be tricky, so Oxford Venture Jacket OXFORD VENTURE JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and a lightweight cap are my defaults. I’m a big fan of the Buff Pack Bike Cap BUFF PACK BIKE CAP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) both have the advantage of packing very small, so can be slipped into jersey pockets, if not required.   

Lusso Pain Cave Summer Cap is my next in line. Both feature generous peaks to protect from the sun’s glare. I also own a more traditional Buff with a peak, which was arguably a little more versatile.   

These are great for children, protecting them from wind, chill and intense sun, given these will easily cover the neck.  The Venture jacket also has a hood, one of the few I’m really taken with. However, if you’re not, a water repellent model, such as this Prendas Ciclismo Lisboa Waterproof Cycling Cap PRENDAS CICLISMO LISBOA WATERPROOF CAP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Busted Zippers, Beggared Bearings & Back Road Blasting

 

While performing tyre switches and similar preparation, I discovered the See Sense Handlebar Bag’s zipper had expired. Further, generic inspection revealed the fixed gear winter/trainer’s FSA headset was similarly shot, prompting immediate replacement.  

I had a Stronglight O’ Lite in stock but the biggest challenge was finding my crown race removal tool. I’ve had this one for some years and replacements are now much dearer. With some methodical searching (the sort reminiscent of childhood and painstakingly searching through the toy box for a favourite action figure)it was discovered in the bottom of my transmission parts box.  

Given the relatively early hour and it being Sunday, I unleashed a silent, internal whoop of joy. This also presented an opportunity to inspect the Kinesis carbon fork for any sign of deterioration that might lead to failure.  

Thankfully, nothing to see. I also topped up the internal frame preserve, since I was there.  Everything back together with lashings of Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease, I had a quick play with spacers and tweaked the TRP SPYRE SLC calliper- Ursula's too. Just a matter of pulling the inner wires through a little. I also replaced Ursula’s Sigma BC9.16 ATS Wireless Computer SIGMA BC9.16 ATS WIRELESS CYCLE COMPUTER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) sensor battery, since I’d been getting some very strange and erratic readouts, during our last ride.  

While foraging for the crown race remover, I uncovered this tool bottle and of course, the Crank Brothers Speedier leaver, which is another firm favourite of mine. Tool bottles will typically swallow a tube, maybe two, a small multi tool and other little essentials you don’t want to be rummaging for.  

They’re generally very cheap-£2, or so but there’s a long tradition of riders upcycling old water bottles. Apparently, empty Horlicks tins are similarly effective alternatives. The only slight downside of course (especially during summer) is they mean sacrificing a bottle cage. However, this might be a non-issue if you’ve three and lugging two full 750/800ml bottles.   

Ursula had also received new bar tape- Ergon BT Gravel Bar Tape, to be precise. It's 3.5mm (about 0.14 in) thick but much easier to apply than that density might imply. Seems to isolate road shock and trail buzz very convincingly too, thus far. The Vittoria Evolution are a little lighter than the otherwise very likeable Schwalbe Land Cruiser, which translates in a zippier ride.  

However, the next 500miles or so, will reveal more about their persona, temperament and reliability.  

Consistently dry conditions and a bank holiday weekend prompted me to polish and prep the Holdsworth for a few early morning blasts. I also decided to switch headsets spacers a bit, tweak the Miche stopper a little. Ironically enough, the Knog Nerd computer battery had expired but sometimes it’s about enjoying the ride and the moments. Road Path framesets were designed to be competent weekend racers, yet dependable daily drivers.  

Sufficient clearance for full-length mudguards (fenders) and road appropriate geometry, meaning handling is exciting but predictable and practical. They’re a concept I’d love to see return. However, I also recognise, from a commercial perspective, they were very much of their time. The 1950s were a time of post-war austerity when car ownership wasn’t the norm-indeed the British cycle industry took a big hit when petrol rationing was abolished in 1957.  

Though a slightly different machine, On-One Lincolnshire poacher was an interesting frameset harking back to these times, although reviews from the time suggest it had less zing than a “true” road path build from the 50s.