The Fridays Tour

[StuAff]

That's the thing. You can forget comparing hills on paper. Except in extreme circumstances, the character of a hill is not reducible to its steepness or length, or even the relationship between the two. I like Ditchling. I don't like the long approach to it. Romans and Audax organisers share a disregard for what one might call topographical psycho-ergonomics. By which I mean that, for one sinister reason or another, they do not concern themselves with the pleasure of traversing the landscape in one way rather than another. Getting up hills, to them, is simply a means to end. It's the sheer philistinism that will kill you, not the gradient.

There are indeed a lot of variables to consider. I, too, like the Beacon (though I prefer the run-up approach)- it's the kind of climb that can be taken steadily. Gradient, more often than not, is what leads me to grind to a halt and end up walking. If I can get a bit of momentum, that usually helps. But Whitedown & Blissford Hill (New Forest) just knocked me out. And as for the bastarding bastard Paul Harding insisted on taking us up on the travesty, north of Drumnadrochit, insert as many expletives as you like. And in midday heat too.

 

[srw]

Right, you, it's Pantone charts at dawn ...

The light at dawn might not be neutral enough to call the colour accurately.

 

[srw]

View attachment 10033

So - the muc-off for the chain, the baby oil for a shiny frame. And the bottle of beer? Is that the claud recommendation for a safe way to get the braking surfaces degreased?

 

[User10571]

I've cowboyed the polish job for now,

Doesn't much look like that from where I'm slouching.

Go on then, show us your fettled steeds...

Mine's still covered in Kent from last Saturday.
And 'sides - I've got a sick note from my Mum.

 

[theclaud]

So - the muc-off for the chain, the baby oil for a shiny frame. And the bottle of beer? Is that the claud recommendation for a safe way to get the braking surfaces degreased?

Ha. It isn't that kind of Muc Off - it's Muc Off Miracle Shine for the frame. The chain just gets Mickled, not Muckled. The beer is Flying Dog Raging Bitch Belgian-Style Pale Ale from Maryland, complete with label by Ralph Steadman. I got a load of it for peanuts cos it had passed the sell-by date. It's 8.3% so I've probably put my nice new Kool Stops on the wrong way round...

 

[theclaud]

Doesn't much look like that from where I'm slouching.

Mine's still covered in Kent from last Saturday.
And 'sides - I've got a sick note from my Mum.

I'm calling it a "character" finish. Inspired by Adrian's Verdigris...

 

[User10571]

Paging User10571, is Mr User10571 in the house?

That you are able to spell my name correctly, leaves me slightly disturbed.

 

[User10571]

I did have to look it up on an email.

In that news, lies relief.
It's usually only The Authorities who manage to get it correct.

 

[clarion]

Hold on. New brake blocks and stuff I can understand. But are we expected to clean our bikes? Heavens, I feel my palpitations coming on. It's not yet four years since my Orbit was last washed!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Fettled. Fettled? What is this 'past tense' of which you speak?

 

[StuAff]

Fettled. Fettled? What is this 'past tense' of which you speak?

Indeed so. There is always fettling to do. Whether or not you can be bothered to do it is another matter.

 

[ianrauk]

Wow, the bowdlerised bike looks lovely! It'll be telling us all to mind our language now.

I'm not all that techie really, so I took my bike to the bike shop for a service, including new brake blocks. One of the boys there thought it would be nice to fit pink ones, to match the flash on the frame, sweet!

View attachment 10046

Actually it's not pink, it's magenta - which is pink's older, sexier sister

Didn't ask them to give it a clean then? tut tut...

 

[AKA Bob]

My fettling has just been checked over by a professional along with buying some spare spokes and brake blocks!

Just need to pack the clothes and maybe try to waterproof the shoes!

Looks like the weather forecast for our LonJog week looks like it could be a classic British summer! Rain a little bit of sun and even rain!!!!

 

[mmmmartin]

Just a thought, before I make plans to cart all my camping kit on the bike round to Dell's on Friday night.

Is anyone with a twin room on any of Saturday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or the final Saturday nights by chance looking for someone to share? I'm planning on camping for those nights, but if there is a space in a room I'd be pleased to take it.

 

[theclaud]

Excuse me! Last Friday it was spotless - that's the result of going out in the rain today if you don't mind

Luckily, dirt, grime and wet sandy seaside scunge simply bounce off my newly baby-oiled bicycle. I wasn't planning to find this out today in quite such spectacular fashion, but there you go...