Springing Surprises

 

Spring is here and along with it, longer days and traditionally changeable weather. Something of a British obsession, although I've found Belgian and the Netherlands less predictable through Spring. Mild enough that I’ve been temperate in the evenings wearing a full-length base layer and jersey. This Prendas Ciclismo Bordeaux Paris Long Sleeve Jersey PRENDAS CICLISMO SHORT SLEEVE JERSEY | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  Though a micro jacket, or this 7Mesh Cypress Hybrid Jacket 7mesh Cypress Hybrid Cycling Jacket | Seven Day Cyclist usually comes along-either from the start or stowed away in the Zefal Adventure R5 Waterproof Saddlebag ZEFAL ADVENTURE R5 WATERPROOF SADDLE BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and it’s bigger R11 counterpart. Both are becoming serious favourites and the R11 is surprisingly stable, given it secures to the post via a single strap.  

Farmers are busy harvesting Sugarbeet, and the roads dotted with mud from the fields, which I’ve tended to weave through on the fixed gear winter/trainer, to see if I could fox the frisky Bontrager AW3 Hardcase Lite Reflective Road Tyre. (Short answer’s no, in case you were wondering), and I’ve just relaxed and enjoyed their compliant, speedy characteristics. IRC Roadlite X Guard tyres are another speedy option if you’re looking for a narrower section. INOUE ROADLITE X GUARD TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Staying with the Schwalbe GT365 and Marathon Mondial pairing on the Univega but here are my thoughts regarding the Billy Bonkers SCHWALBE BILLY BONKERS TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).  

300 miles down the line and I’m almost convinced I’ve got the gearing right for most of my riding contexts and needs. Enough torque for the trailer and/or dignified, seated climbing, bridlepath blasting and without spinning into orbit on the flat.  

I’ve also found it necessary to add another washer to the “cassette” side of the Fix-G hub, since the fat foot sprocket had begun to slide about on the splines. Snugged the lockring down and will keep a closer eye, going forward.  Sticking with the Weldtite Ceramic Lube on both bikes, since it seems a solid seasonal choice. WELDTITE CERAMIC LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

I’ve also switched from the FLR Defender MTB Thermal Dry S-Tex Boot FLR DEFENDER MTB DRY BOOT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) to the FLR Rexton Active Touring/Trail Shoe FLR REXSTON ACTIVE TOURING/TRAIL SHOE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and I wasn’t expecting such a difference in sole stiffness. The Rexton are efficient but the Defender’s increased rigidity are quite palpable. I dare say I’ll be alternating between them, given Easter and April’s tendency towards the unpredictable.  

Elsewhere, I’ve been erring towards ¾ , such as these Funkier Rie Flo Men’s Three-Quarter Length Summer Bib tightsFUNKIER RIDE FLO MEN'S 3/4 BIB TIGHTS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) or the Primal Dawn Men’s Bib Knickers TEST & REVIEW: PRIMAL DAWN MEN'S BIB KNICKERS (sevendaycyclist.com) rather than full-length tights and lighter gloves-the Chiba Pro Safety Reflective Gloves CHIBA PRO SAFETY REFLECTOR GLOVES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  and liner types, depending on whether I’m heading out early in the morning, or during the evening.  

I reflect on many things during my ride. Product quirks and performance are the most obvious, but two-wheeled escapes are very conducive to other forms of contemplation.  

  

There has long been a narrative that automation/digital technology would render many roles, peoples and communities excluded. Car assembly lines are the most obvious examples of this in action. Automation has greatly reduced the need for repetitive tasks such as spot welding- the robot arm being a common sight since the early 1980s.  

More topically, the UK government have announced they will be reducing military personnel. The public likes the “Boots on the ground” rhetoric but, cyber-attacks, the deployment of drone soldiers, rather than humans will be more prevalent.  

Taking things to their logical conclusion, it is more likely that a hostile nation will launch a missile attack from someone’s wi-fi enabled kettle in the recipient country, not send fighter planes. Indeed, taken to its logical conclusion, liability could even be levelled at the unwitting householder.  

Contemporary cars are stolen by digital stealth, rather than physical attack. Nothing to stop a malicious person with the appropriate skills could disable components of the engine management system, inducing breakdowns, disengaging the brakes, using a remote computer.  

Machines, and other technology that can “think” for themselves are very much here to stay. HGV driving will still be a trade, requiring human labour but I suspect this will take the form of a lead driver with two, possibly more couplings tracking behind via a wireless signal. In common with other aspects of logistics, I can envisage the driver, rather than haulier, being required to hold specific liability insurance cover.  

The reality, which some seem unable to accept is the fact many people will quickly become redundant and possibly permanently, economically inactive. Leading to wider, social exclusion. One argument suggests that this need will be met by humanoid companions, both romantically and in terms of physical care. However, this technology is going to require considerable financial means. Means which these strata of people will have no access. How governments will respond (if at all), remains to be seen.  

 

Up Front

No sooner had I switched Ursula to the Schwalbe Marathon Mondial, I acquired another sharp, which infiltrated the casing and nicked the tube. Another very slow flat and I was suspicious about the barely discernible spitting that seemed to strike when I was speeding through lanes, seemingly paved with acres of slippery bovine dung.  

Tube patched, I switched to the spare and decided I’d leave the rear Marathon Mondial and run the Schwalbe Marathon GT365 up front. TESTED: SCHWALBE MARATHON GT 365 TYRES WINTER UPDATE (sevendaycyclist.com) At 1048g apiece, they are very portly but the aesthetic blends with the Mondial and will resist pretty much hell and high water. Given as the gearings’ right, overcoming the increased rolling resistance hasn’t been overly taxing. 

As their name implies, the GT365 are a heavy-duty tyre, prioritising reliability, in every sense. Whether you are commuting through winter’s worst, need something for the child/trailer tug (where a puncture can turn a chill outing from stimulating to distressing- for all parties, but protégés in particular)  

For the record, I’m yet to flat with the 365, so I expect to sit back and enjoy the lanes, while I await the arrival of the new rear-wheel and contemplate which rubber route, I will take next. I will also replenish tube stocks, since it’s always good to have a few in reserve.  

I generally pension tubes, past the third patch but may keep one, as an emergency spare, should I, or indeed another rider find themselves in crisis. There is a fine line between the principles of self-reliance and being tone-deaf. Having the emotional intelligence to realise the best prepared machines and riders can run into difficulties is equally important. 

For the time being, I’ve done away with the Topeak Midloader frame Bag TOPEAK MIDLOADER FRAME BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and redistributed its contents between the Zefal R5 ZEFAL ADVENTURE R5 WATERPROOF SADDLE BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and See Sense Handlebar Bag SEE SENSE HANDLEBAR BAG | cycling,-but-not-usually-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

One thing led to another and I turned my attentions to my fixed gear winter trainer. Justin Burls had kindly sent me a Ti track sprocket, which prompted me to attempt removing the existing 16tooth Cro-Moly unit from the traditional, threaded side of the Halo Fix-G Track hub HALO FIX G TRACK HUB | Seven Day Cyclist Tourin Tests Commuting . Thankfully, though it had weathered a little over the past year or so, I’d greased the threads liberally.  

 

A liberal blast of GT85, a gentle tap of the Pedros Vice whip using an engineer’s mallet and-bing! the sprocket released. Sometimes, a liberal blast of solvent rich sprays, including disc brake cleaners DIRT WASH DISC BRAKE CLEANER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) can make passable penetrants, shifting moderately stuck components.   

A moderate helping of Park grease to both hub and sprocket threads to avoid almost certain galvanic seizure later down the line, then I spun it home. Huzzah!  I also fitted a Bontrager AW 3 hard Case Lite Reflective Road tyre, since opportunity presented.  

I’m increasingly warming to the AW3 Hard-Case Lite and its quick, supple ride characteristics, which have made my fixed gear winter/trainer even more fun to ride. That being said; I am wondering if it’s Hard Case sibling with an aramid sub layer and bead to bead anti-cut casing, is a better bet for year-round/winter duties where punctures can be a miserable experience. 

Sadly, Control Tech no longer produce their Silicone High Performance Handlebar tape.  

Though tricky to wrap, the combination of superb grip, damping and durability means it’ll be adorning the Univega for some time to come. Talking of silicone, several weeks later and I’ve reached my conclusions regarding the T-One Mr Fantastic Handlebar tape, which comes in other colours, if orange isn’t your flavour T-ONE MR FANTASTIC HANDLEBAR TAPE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)