Today's Bike Ride

[Graham Breeze]

Certainly I'd wear lighter fell shoes for 50 grams difference.

Although shoes make more of a difference because you lift your feet every step - more akin to rolling resistance on bikes.

Well yes but everything is context

I once weighed all my bike bits: tube, tool,...and concluded life is too short to worry about changing all my bolts etc to titanium.

I've just weighed my standard bidon full with water: 685 grams.

[Graham Breeze]

I wasn't aware of Heathcote previously. I'll have to saunter past next time I'm up in Ilkley. Grade 2 listed gardens! That would be a badge of honour and a curse for the head gardener. "you can't dig that bed up, it's listed don't you know"

Actually Grove Road (which is LS29 in Ilkley) is only the garden entrance. The grand entrance is on the parallel King's Road and the house and grounds stretch between the two.

Opposite the garden entrance, so on the opposite side of Grove Road to the house, used to be the kitchen garden but practically out of sight of the main house without a telescope. This has now gone and in place are 11 very decent sized detached houses.

At the entrance to the cul-de-sac are two 10 feet tall stone pillars surmounted by a globe that formed the entrance to the kitchen garden. You can see why Lutyens went on to design New Delhi.

The cul-de-sac is named Heath Park.

[Graham Breeze]

I read an article last year from someone at Bianchi that painting the frame added 50g in weight; and as carbon fibre isn't going to rust, that's why some bikes are plain black

Someone passed me today. Black kit on a black bike. I let him go - you can't fight 50 grams.

Anyway I was cooling down after 29 miles (2400 feet). Also my Boardman rear wheel was clanking like an old steam 2-8-0 WD after war service in Europe so I assume my bearings have gone (after 2050 miles).

My mother had asked me to run an errand 10+ miles away so to save the planet I did the journey on my Boardman. Although I think I've saved the planet by now so is Mars in trouble? Venus?

[Graham Breeze]

The clanking is common now, even on very expensive bikes. I don't know why they do it, but nowadays manufacturers seem keen on using smaller ball bearings, in bearing cages, rather than the loose bearings that Campagnolo and all other good manufacturers used to use.

I recently opened up the hubs of my 2004 Campagnolo Proton wheels, and re-greased them for the first time with Castrol LM grease (the experts say it doesn't matter within reason what you use, as long as you do it). They weren't clanking, or dry, before, and there not now.

From what you said, I think the rear wheel probably just needs greasing and re-adjusting

Thanks. I have never hear the clanking before on any bike. Quite disconcerting.

[mr brightside]

Thanks. I have never hear the clanking before on any bike. Quite disconcerting.

Check your cassette hasn't worked loose.

[Graham Breeze]

I may have to stop buying Cycling Weekly

Dr Hutch (the only thing worth reading unless I have a letter printed) today writes.

There is still an inexplicable affection for some of these jerseys.There are Marco Pantani fans who rhapsodise about his Mercatone-Uno kit, presumably because they are still suffering from some sort of concussion inflicted via the eyes.

I think I need a large glass of Barolo.

[mr brightside]

https://veloseven.com/vintage/1500-w...tani-1997.html

Is that DA7700? I've got a set of the 'SUP' branded rims in citron.

[mr brightside]

As the owner of a Pantani-era, full-on racing bike in 1997 team Mercatone Uno - Wega colours I will need something a lot stronger

Ha, it's not just me, they're all coming out of the woodwork slowly. C50 Rabobank.

[Llani Boy]

A very chilly day with a cold north westerly wind saw me take the Moda Bolero, complete with mudguards, out for the first time in nearly 2 years. The Microshift gear shifting took a bit of getting used to again, especially in winter gloves. I made sure I gave myself plenty of thinking time so no mishaps or chain shipping!

Out to Flagg, Earl Sterndale and down into Crowdecote and up to Longnor. Along the cow shit covered ridge road through Sheen and on to Hulme End. Back to Hartington and up the wind tunnel commonly known as Long Dale to the Salt Heaps on the A515. Down to Flagg, up to Chelmorton and home via Monyash and Horse Lane.

A total of 36 miles and 3,081 feet in 2hrs 44 min. Only saw 4 other cyclist, a group of three young lads in black, who were lost and a solo female. Nice to get back on my Moda and I had forgotten how comfy it is.

[Graham Breeze]

Very reassuring to discover that after the weather forecast suggested freezing weather - it was in fact freezing weather or just below freezing according to my Garmin, as I pootled 24 miles (1800feet) of the country roads round Embsay and Draughton, near Skipton. I only saw one cyclist who was on a steel Keith Lambert with a cassette of 6 or 7. I assume he was very old because I passed him on a climb and how many Keith Lambert frames do you see these days?

Yesterday I took the Boardman in to have the "clanking" investigated under my service contract. It wasn't either of the usual mechanics who have been there for years and the new man peered at me and asked when I thought I would give up riding a bike. I said "Dunno but I have just given up fell running". So he then asked how old I was.

That's what I like about my local Halfords. The interpersonal touch.