Mike and I have been out most Friday nights and rode in the worst rain this year three weeks ago. Two weeks ago was much better and we had a pretty dry spin through the woods, although one of our little shortcuts has been almost washed away by the previous week's deluge and was almost unrideable.Miles to the gym are still being clocked up but last night, for the first time, I realised I should not be in shorts and should not be trying to break any records. It's hovering around zero here and, although the days are beautiful, it gets chilly quickly. The forecast this week is excellent, right up to Saturday morning - when I have planned a 30 miler across the Downs. This is the start of the steady mileage I need to re-appear in the spring with some base fitness to build on ... there are a few plans being considered for next year.
As part of the winter programme, I need to give the Giant some TLC. The cables were stretched, front and rear mechs bashed, cassette on it's last legs - what to do ? I need a simple and robust winter bike so I have taken the tools out. The Giant is now stripped and the old transmission is in the bin. After a quick surf I found the details for Charlie The Bikemonger (http://www.charliethebikemonger.co.uk/ and 01929 475 833) - purveyour of everything 'singlespeed'. I now have a single 34t fitted up front, a 16t out back (and a spare 17t up my sleeeve just in case) and all the bits in a pile waiting for a re-build.
The frame ? Well, I'm thinking and have some ideas. Not sure where I got them from though ! Watch this space to see what appears in a week or two.
The 575 needs a general pivots / fork / shock service this winter, so am riding this full time until the Giant is assembled and will then deliver it to Howard at Bromley Bike (http://www.bromleybike.co.uk/ and 0208 460 4852) for some expert attention while I either get really fit on my singlespeed or have to push it up everything. It will be interesting to see how we get on ...
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