Festival of light

So long as bike(s) and rider are properly dressed, weather presents no barrier to serious fun. Autumn has swept in stealthily, its slimy cocktail replacing the rich vibrant auburn colours. Thankfully, it was accompanied by Diwali and a steady trickle of kit designed for this much maligned cluster of months. Talking of which, that sorry looking Specialized Rock Hopper has just been transformed-cream powder coat with fresh decals sealed under 2pac lacquer.

I’ve got a thing for blinkies ever since I acquired my first back in November 1992.

Plug in Integral lithium ion/polymer cells are almost default and while undeniably convenient, not to mention frugal compared with cost of running AA/A, they aren’t perfect for all occasions.

AA/A types remain better options for touring, dusk ‘till dawn night rides and those who don’t clock in at a keyboard. Run times can be 30-60hrs plus in flashing, Ni-Cd rechargeables keep costs to a minimum and disposables are pretty ubiquitous-off-licences, supermarkets, petrol stations usually keep healthy stocks.  This I Zone Curve 2 rear light is a particularly nice, inexpensive example.

Firepower has always been a popular selling point but rather like our humble bar mounted computers, our blinkies are positively bristling with different modes-some retina tickling, others that sip reserves, sequences designed to solicit attention in different contexts the list continues. Lowest common denominator, we only need two modes-steady and flashing and our bikes, a single, fixed gear of 72inches...        

COB (Chips on Board) technology, which enables colonies of tiny diodes to occupy the same space seem quite popular this season. Theoretically this combines optimal output, while preventing diodes and circuitry overheating so they can fulfil their true potential and reach ripe old ages.

High power headlamps are another justly popular choice for navigating dark roads and another technology I embraced with both arms back in the late 1990s. Back then, we were talking in terms of £200 10 and 25 watts and lead acid batteries that induced hernias.

Smart used to offer some nice cheap n’ cheerful versions for commuting- I had the cute-looking twin lamp complete with slightly whippy bracket and a CNC machined 10 watt flood version, which was surprisingly bright but not obviously, not particularly helpful for picking out the detail.

Competition and economies of scale have seen prices crash and with box fresh 1800 lumen grey (unofficial) imports offered on auction sites for as little as £18, its easy to see why they’ve become default, even for road riding.  

However, aside from the potential risks-lower quality chargers and exploding cells being popular discussions on forums; these are often limited to three modes. Full blast; standard (50/60%) both of which is way too much fire power for built up districts.

Better (read more expensive) models allow more progressive stair casing, so you can charge along abandoned backwaters at full pelt but click down to something suitable for city limits when required.

Battery slurpage is slower, so you can play out longer and oncoming traffic doesn’t get dazzled. Something like this Oxford X pro is another option for town and suburban runs, either on its own or as a tempered side-kick to your big gun.

Nicely made from rugged CNC machined aluminium, it’s another “lolly stick” plug in model that fuels up from your USB, or mains adaptor. Top whack is reputedly 300lumens but the lens casts a very pure, focused pool of light, which has coped surprisingly well in short haul semi-rural contexts to around 17mph.

Prodding down for economy is easily achieved, even in gloved hands courtesy of a positive centre-mounted switch but there’s no danger of the dreaded dazzle and other traffic still takes notice at around 200 metres.

Flashing is the lowest setting and if you were purely looking to remain conspicuous, 300-400metres isn’t unrealistic and the centre window allows decent peripheral bleed too, so you should remain firmly on the radar when entering the flow of traffic.       

Short days with low light have been presenting some photographic challenges but considerably more rewarding than the calibre of temporary work being offered. Unfortunately, this is going to remain part of my economic diet while I nurture sapling projects, build brand presence and purchase more equipment.

Several agencies have been in touch, some interested in my journalism specific skill-set, others looking to fill housing roles. Pragmatism is a basic pre-requisite for freelancers and indeed, people generally in a volatile economy.

Therefore biting the hand that offers potential work, let alone feeds you is always foolhardy. Recruitment is sales driven and experience enables one to see through the patter. No shortage of people complimenting me on my versatility but with notable exceptions, this hasn’t been reflected in the assignments offered.

Thankfully the standard of applicants for Seven Day Cyclist has been refreshingly high, although we’re whittling them down to a handful and will interview at our earliest convenience. 

It Shouldn't Happen To A Photographer

 

“Riiiiip; Oh-no!” isn’t the most auspicious starts to a wedding, even if it strikes within the privacy of a bathroom. Mercifully, my salwar Kameez (Indian suit) trousers had only succumbed to a very slight and unrevealing tear, which was easily hidden (along with my blushes) by the long flowing gown.

No further wardrobe; or photographic malfunction struck during the four days of celebration and I virtually filled a16gb card to capacity.  The bride graciously agreed to some candid shots being posted here and on my photographic site. www.stenningphotographic.com

October 25^th also signalled the end of British Summer Time (BST) and being something of a night owl, I was delighted by an abundance of blinkies/related equipment sent for my testing pleasure from various editors and distributors.

Courier was very quick to compliment me on the weatherproof canvas commission and unusually, keen to talk cameras. He seemed to have a genuine appreciation of their mechanics too; which is heartening given widespread perception that photography is merely a question of pointing and shooting.

“What camera is that? Takes good photos mate!” Hmm, nothing to do with understanding of light, control of aperture, ISO and shutter speed, or the ability to spot a pivotal moment/ expression then... 

The Teenage Dream is one of those framesets typical of small scale builders during the early 1990s. I am of course referring to the practice of adding eyeletted dropouts-without altering geometry one iota. This permitted the same frames to be marketed as winter/trainers.

Consumer appeal was obvious too-a really spirited frame that would induce massive ear to ear grins, while still managing mudguards and 23-25mm section rubber… Aside from the legendary Salmon Profile models, persuading the narrowest of full length chrome plastics to fit without binding required patience and considerable ingenuity

Thankfully its lowlier cro-moly sibling (built the following year from a hotch potch of components swapped or salvaged from a recently deceased fixed gear conversion) was more accommodating...

Fast forward 23 years and these arrived from Widget. Being able to slide the front through said bike’s aero fork crown and tight rear triangle while still maintaining enough gap for 25mm tyres induce a state of delirium.

That said; fitment still demanded painstaking precision and minute adjustment. Pruning the stays by matter of millimetres at each point was the only means of maintaining this delicate equilibrium.

We are firmly in fag paper territory with these 185tpi, 25mm Vee Rubber Rain Rubber. Operating pressures range between 100 and 145psi, so despite having a midi pump capable of delivering a genuine 100psi plus, I won’t be popping out without a Co2 inflator nestling in my back pocket.  These also fought back, registering a cool six on the struggle-o-meter.

Cajoling them aboard a very unremarkable set of MA2 hoops required the combined forces of three composite levers and dexterous digits. These were accompanied by the sort of primal grunting and panting more commonly associated with the final stages of labour.

My workshop tyre wand would’ve been the speediest solution but evaluating ease of re/mounting using standard fare was crucial given we’re most likely to flat by the roadside, miles from said labour saving gizmo. Initial impressions are of an extremely quick, supple tyre with leach like cornering prowess and  

Halloween probably wasn’t the best time to commence fettling and the spirits certainly seemed to be conspiring against me. First the Teenage Dream’s rear dual pivot calliper got the sulks; prompting a thorough strip, clean and refit. Next up, cable replacement. Having spliced a decent quality mid-range Jagwire housing to length, to my horror I’d run out of equivalent inners. 

Budget inner wires tend to be very serviceable, although have a tendency to stretch, hence I leave a couple of hours, overnight where possible before pulling through and finally guillotining with razor sharp snips. Alas, malevolent spirits intervened again and as I squeezed the Jagwire cutters decisively, those budget Bowden erupted ruinously-both times.

Not to be outdone, my Hudl2 tablet computer suddenly succumbed to charging failure-something supposedly linked to the recent software updates. In practical terms, this means ringing their customer helpline and hoping it can be rectified before the warrantee elapses in a few days…

Feeling decidedly jinxed, I cut my losses, popped the bike back on its hook, ordered some mid-range inners and fresh bar wrap. Felt the urge for a bargain basement rummage-some Bike Ribbon with a slightly unusual colour scheme. Nothing fired my imagination, so I settled on this wallet-friendly black Deda and decided I’d upgrade the venerable Cane Creek SC5 levers in favour of some Shimano 600 since opportunity presented.

Aside from a lighter action, their slender profiles are arguably more in keeping with the bike’s early 90’s flavour.  Well, with the Cinelli mini tri bars dressed in recycled Ritchey, time I was shortlisting some people.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Dollars, Discs & Distractions

 

I was contacted by someone via “Up work” inviting me to write for them this week.  Keeping an open mind, I responded asking for their exact specification-sign of the times perhaps but, these sites tend to foster a race-to-the-bottom mindset where remuneration’s concerned.

A few minutes later, I received a further email offering me $17 Canadian dollars for a 1,000 word feature including photographs! "Up yours" was a tempting retort but rather than dignify this with a response, I decided stripping and cleaning the Ilpompino’s disc setup was a more positive use of my energies.

Avid’s BB7 is a markedly easier system to adjust than their justly popular BB5 but mine had become misaligned, causing the inboard pad adjuster to brush the spokes. I hadn’t taken a spill, or incurred similar trauma but a thorough back to basics exorcism seemed the most remedy.

Removing the front wheel and inspecting the 160mm Shimano rotor confirmed it was perfectly true and snug aboard the hub. Next stage was to disconnect the cable and reseat the calliper. 5mm Allen and 25 torx keys at the ready, I slackened the mounting hardware; then wound the pad adjusters out, before driving then fully home against the disc rotor. Centring the calliper is simply a matter of pushing it against the fork mount and then tightening the mounting screws.

Strictly speaking, I should’ve reconnected the cable at this point but was following my own intuitive flow, centralising the pads and double checking everything by spinning the wheel. Cable reconnected, a very gentle whisper was corrected by a quick turn of the outboard pad. Spinning the wheel and engaging the Cane Creek lever ten times to verify (and/or placate my advancing neurosis); I repatriated tools and drizzled a little more lube on the chain. Unfortunately Writer’s block was still a sitting tenant, so my attentions turned to mowing lawns before they assumed jungle status and while October still permitted.

Down time paid off, since paragraphs and inspiration flowed consistently once I’d settled back at my middle aged desktop. Four days and 100miles hence verified everything’s behaving impeccably and while I’ve a thing for fierce brakes and solid lever action, allowing fractionally more cable slack has rewarded with more progressive stopping, though pulled in anger, there’s sufficient wallop to raise the rear several inches from the ground.

That Bobbin bar wrap continues to impress with its stylish, shock absorbing properties. Tenure bare handed, even in the wet is pretty impressive too; not that I ride without gloves with any regularity.

The G-Eye2 action is another pleasant surprise and a definite improvement on its predecessor. Whether it’s a poor man’s Go Pro, in much the same sense Triumph’s GT6 was to Jaguar’s E-Type remains to be seen, although it does illustrate how far budget tech has come along in recent years.

Recording quality is good and ideal for developing video reportage skills but the Go Pro will shoot professional grade footage, whereas the G-Eye 2 is firmly in enthusiast hobbyist territory. 

Despite daily rides of 20miles plus, sometimes the walls can start metaphorically closing in. Needing some inspirational escape, I headed out in the Micra with my trusty NEX5 and stopped off at Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating.

Alongside various classic Porsche shells and a 1966 GT40 race car, the methyl chloride tank was making short work of this MG BGT’s blue 2pac paint, revealing plenty of filler and the original orange livery beneath.

This scabby but otherwise sound Specialized Rockhopper built from a Ritchey Nitanium steel alloy tubeset was also awaiting blast and pale blue powder coat makeover and certainly held my attention. I’ve always been a big fan of Specialized’s iconic steel Stump jumper and rock hopper series since first clapping eyes on them back in 1986/7. 

The romance of adventure, exploring foreign lands on a lightweight go-anywhere bicycle was an obvious draw. Then of course, the thrill of speeding along deserted singletrack, flicking around tree roots-just me, the machine and my thoughts-often fuelled by magazine contraband and rudely interrupted by a teacher’s confiscation!

Detailing suggests this one’s of 1998 vintage and while the cable run places them right in gloop’s path, I like the clean aesthetic and would be inclined to build it into a pared to the essentials 1x10 drop bar adventure bike with old school, wide arm cantilevers, fast rolling knobblies, 12-30 cassette...

Back to the future and speaking of romance, I’m due at a wedding, so will pack camera equipment into the Ka and head off to Bedfordshire.

Wrapping up for Winter

 

So, after some deliberation, I plumped for this very fetching honey coloured Bobbin bar wrap to replace the venerable Mpart. Arguably, black would’ve been more obvious given the Ilpompino’s new colour scheme but I’m rather taken with the warm, tan contrast.

Cursory inspection of the end plugs suggested it was a rebranded shop variant and one that had served me well. However, the hide seems superior-much thicker, though still very supple, so sharp effects are achievable with minimal effort and the absence of lever strips posed no problems.

Despite the strong adhesive, correction is similarly effortless, which was welcomed when doubling up at personalised points. While the end plugs looked pretty, tenure proved poor and prompted swift substitution for a set of plastic Cinelli-sorted.

Initial thoughts are of a luxurious, grippy and fatigue reducing covering that should weather reasonably well; nourished with Nikwax or similarly good quality leather proofing on a quarterly basis. On our second outing, I was convinced the tube gremlin had struck again.

A very low but persistent hiss tore through my serenity, a mere 700 metres from home. Psyching myself up for another tube swap, I was elated on discovering it was merely the sound of carbonated drink escaping my bottle valve. However, I wasted no time in plugging a small but significant nick in the Vittoria’s casing with superglue.  

There’s no such thing as too many when it comes to spare tubes, patch kits or Co2 cartridges and Murphy’s Law guarantees they’re never to hand when you need them.

More than two patches and butyl gets recycled as seat collar/headset boots, shims for lighting brackets/similar accessories. 175-2.1 inch MTB sizes are much easier to slide into place but bigger 30-38mm road sections also work reasonably well.

Confounded by the mysterious disappearance of those bought during my last decathlon dash, fastidious foraging unearthed a fully loaded repair kit, so the wounded tube has been sorted and relegated to the serviceable spares stash. I also rediscovered this handy folding stand. Lacking the outright stability of the PRO types, it’s much neater than improvising with a Perspex jug when photographing bikes.

Knog’s biggest Blinder Arc-the 640, continues to impress, with its combination of versatility and output that frankly outshines many budget models claiming much bigger numbers.

This goes to substantiate the point, that reflector, diode and lens are pivotal when talking useable light. Weather resistant to IPX6, (everything bar full blown submersion in layman’s terms), ours haven’t missed a beat when subjected to my five minute hose-pipe torture test.

This isn’t an act of vandalism, I’m not seeking to destroy these, or any other lighting system. Rather, when manufacturers claim something is waterproof, then I pursue accordingly but within reason, obviously.  

Elsewhere, wedding season here in the UK supposedly fizzled out with September’s swansong but I’m delighted to be covering some Indian ceremonies in Bedfordshire before October’s through. This month will be the last real opportunity to get some serious miles in on the “teenage dream” too; so I’ll be taking full advantage.  

 

My mother’s car port commission has also generated a steady stream of interest.

Prices start at £250 for my stock, rural scenes blown up on 5x3ft weatherproof canvasses. Bespoke works and other sizes are also welcomed-just contact me by email with your requirements and we’ll take things from there.

Continuing the photographic theme, I’m still hunting a suitable replacement Sony Alpha (Minolta pattern) body and at Seven Day Cyclist magazine, we’re recruiting interns to assist with production and marketing.