Frayed Cable.

7°C, light SSW, no rain but feeling damp + milky sun.

Canal route.

Mustang, I’ve lowered the seat a bit to compensate for the effect of thicker clothes. Like on Tuesday, I stopped briefly to make further adjustments. I’ve been getting irritated with  jumping gears in the lower end. after  changing the cassette and chain, I expect better. As it was, I couldn’t trust  getting out of the seat for a surge. In the last 3km, I changed up for a final blast and the rear gear cable broke  at the levers end. That broken cable explains the bad gear shifts.

In response, I replaced the cable immediately on getting home. While at it, I may as well change the front cable too before the sun goes down. Not only.gas the nipple broken off, but the cable is frayed midway along.

How long is it since these cables were last changed. This was not my proudest moment. I had a cable break on the way home from Walsall in a previous job, but that was well over ten years ago. It’s ironic in a way, because I’ve kept a tighter maintenance routine recently.

Mid-winter in terms of temperature, so on average, it’s going to get warmer. Let’s hope the weather agrees to my optimism.

North of storm Goretti

5°C, light N wind & light grey sky. Soft rain to start.

Stop for adjustments.

Mustang: cleaned & oiled before the off. Something wasn’t right but it was ages before I spotted it. The front wheel wasn’t bedded in properly. Twice I stopped to adjust the azimuth for the bars. I experimented with changes in height (two rings was too many).

I suspect the misaligned front wheel actually caused the brake disc to rub. I know it sounds like an excuse! The other concern is comfort.  I feel a load on my arms putting pressure on both elbows. That’s why I tried raising the bars. I expect that they’ll need to go back down in warmer weather and I’m wearing less.

There is an ongoing repair issue. The cassette is partly worn, just the middle two cogs. They’re only skipping slightly so I can still ride until the new one arrives.

Come back.

Kona Jake, 6°C, light NE, dry & grey.

Kona Jake: good conditions & I wore a layer less than yesterday. 6°C is exactly average for the end of December, colder weather will come soon. I’ve lowered the seat by nearly 5mm, a good idea. Thicker winter clothes make this necessary.

Anyway, recovery is going well if somewhat masked by winter conditions. We’ve got two months of this to go.

3 weeks off. Back now.

Kona Jake: cold 6°C, brisk SE, sunny & dry.

2nd ride of the day.

Three weeks off due to a long heavy cold with a persistent cough. There were times with fever and others when it seemed never ending. The turning point was during our holiday in Mallorca. The hotel has a good gym which I used several times a day.

Now I’m back. I’ve lost form (as you’d expect) and ended with a dry cough. Oddly, riding I felt the weight on my arms & shoulders. I thought I’d worked upper body in that gym. It’s going to take a good month to come back.

Was it COVID?

Warm November.

15°C, grey, dry & warm. There’s a brisk S wind from the Azores.

No rack.

Mustang, I’ve taken the rack off and was surprised how much it weighs. I’d swear that  the bike rides lighter now. Anyway, I had a very nice ride despite the dull sky.

It had everything today, muddy lanes, fast open lanes, steep climbs & a section of canal towpath.

I enjoyed that ride thoroughly. Right to the end, I had plenty of energy but daylight was running out as was the charge in my front light. Just 100m from home, the light went out.

Puncture!

11°C, early heavy shower that turned sunny. Strong SW.

Started at 10am in good sunshine. Encouraged by a decent forecast I got the Racelite out. Only 15′ later, it was obvious that I had the wrong bike. For a while, that rain was heavy, not good on a bike 25c tyres & no mudguards.

Nevermind, it brightened up half an hour later. I went up Bannister Hill but had a problem descending the other side. A small puddle hid a pothole. Seconds later, the rear wheel was flat down to the rim. That’s probably the only puncture I’ve had this  year.

3rd of three.

11°C, brisk SW, low sun & bright

Low sun.

Frequent but easy rides this week. It’s half term & I’m pretty free to choose when to go. The early sunsets are very apparent. I checked there was plenty of charge in the lights this time.

It’s almost November and conditions are good for the summer bike. Remarkable.