Shaun Audane's blog

Part 1 Blasting Back The Years

A couple of months back I reported my intentions to refurbish my now quaint but much loved 531c road bike. The lick and a promise frame enamel was disappearing before the eyes despite kid gloves treatment and so after almost eighteen years it's time for some new livery.

Having narrowly avoided collision with a Greek Orthodox nun appearing from the ruins of a local monastery last night, her choice of footwear and sudden contemplation of the afterlife at 28mph induced memories of riding a mountain bike race wearing Jesus Boots.

Yes indeed, I’ve had an original Shimano SPD pair go pretty much around the world only ascending the metaphorical stairway to the great bike shop in the sky when their stench began stripping the neighbour's wall-paper.

The Easter weekend was not complete without some Obree-esque fettling of the tag-along. Family and friends have become fiercely protective of their washing machines, inspecting them upon my departure to ensure I’ve not amputated the main bearing for an improved Q factor! I have mounted some Smica micro ends inboard of the grips to give Joshua alternative hand positioning and more crucially, shelter from the wind that leaves him rather chill after a few miles.

Not satisfied with one trip to the seaside, the Univega and I took an Easter Sunday solo saunter to Mersea Island. It was an opportunity to put some kit through its paces, have a ride, contemplate the faded state of its bar wrap and of course, life in general. This photo is taken at the spot where I was the only five year old on the class trip to get fully immersed and of course, demanding rescue while the tide was out!

A quick thirty- mile Good Friday blast with Mr Burls to Frinton On Sea was the ideal opportunity to play with his geared Russian Ti ballistic missile  I had been quite shamelessly lusting after. Justin had dusted off his equally fetching Campag equipped steel speed wagon built for his own pleasure some seven years previously. Interestingly, like all good mistresses she'd been hiding beneath the bed!

Friday afternoon spent rummaging in storage harvested my spare dynohub wheel based around a polished Weinnman rim laced to Shimano’s venerable Nexus dynohub topped off with stout WTB dual purpose rubber. Enjoying repute for nocturnal riding, I reasoned were I to subject myself to increased levels of resistance (Nexus cannot be switched off in the same fashion as costlier units) it might as well provide my lighting. Now, I remain an ardent fan of Ni Cad and Li-On high power systems but there’s something very satisfying about generating your own illumination.

Flat tyres are sometimes the universe’s way of communicating a deeper, more serious problem and should be ignored at your peril… It all began with Saturday’s spring sunshine drawing me like a magnet to a mid morning ride. Road Path bike still requiring a stem and an afternoon to fit wheels, brake and drivetrain, my fabled 1991 road frameset still at the sprayers, the Univega was my machine of choice.

Continuing my earlier theme of good road etiquette, let us reflect upon the strange nuances of driver behaviour. Coming from the perspective of cyclist, motorcyclist and car driver, I long ago dismissed the simplistic pop psychology surrounding road user behaviour. (Although I found Richard Ballantine’s quick reference guide strangely accurate, if over simplistic).

Yes spring has definitely sprung. The milder temperatures have seen home brewed corrosion inhibitor liquefy, belching from both the Univega and tag-along’s bottom bracket shells upon our return from a mid morning saunter through the lanes.

They be a breedin' fast down my way... These, yes, this many within ten yards of each other!

Already reported them to www.fillthathole.org.uk if you spot any do the same.