R O T H A R . C O M

No change in the weather – it’s almost the end of May but it feels like March. I’ve ended up getting rained on everyday I’ve ridden the Cross Bike to work. It’s quite bizarre. Last night to add to my excitement, some little Chinese fella in his Honda nosed out into the busy main road. I wasn’t sure if he could see me, because I couldn’t see him. In fact when he eventually leaned forward, he could barely see over the steering wheel and I had to double take to check he was older than twelve. Anyway I’d slowed down so much that the rider on the road bike I’d over taken just before caught me up and passed me and then I never reeled him in before I turned off which wound me up a bit.

Then on the final section home there were two more thrilling events. The first being a white van man who decided that without indicating, he would execute a u-turn in the road in front of me, which I really wasn’t expecting. It was close. I was quite thankful for the decent brakes on the bike for that one. Then at the last crossroads junction before home I was cut up in a move that is my pet hate – being overtaken just before a junction and then cut up when the driver realises that they have to stop and give way. I think I was either numbed by the two previous incidents or so sick of riding in the rain that I just wanted to get home, but I couldn’t even be bothered to show my appreciation for such considerate and forward-thinking driving by shouting “Cock!”

…rain on me (when I’m on my cross bike)?

A few weeks ago I decided that I would sell the Harry Hall commuter. There is a long term plan to replace it before winter with a similar bike, but I decided that as I have a beautiful Indy Fab Cross Bike not getting used, I’d fit the pair of carefully chosen 23mm tyres that have been sitting in a box for about 9 months and ride it over the summer.

So earlier this week the Harry Hall was taken off the road and a big clean up of it started. The Cross Bike lost the knobbly rubber and a pair of Apple Green Schwalbe Stelvio tyres, that match the paintwork perfectly, were fitted. Of course since then it’s rained almost every day. New tyres and diesel slick roads don’t mix well so I still haven’t had a chance to push the bike and find out if they’re any good.

It has without doubt rained on every day I’ve ridden the cross bike so far. I beginning to wonder if there is more than a coincidental relationship…

Don’t play chicken with a bus. That was last week’s lesson. There is a thin line between centre line riding and riding on the wrong side of the road towards a double decker. I never caught up with the crazy fool who pulled this stunt on Friday night, but if I had he’d of been on the receiving end of a torrent of abuse. He would not have walked away from that collision.

Some drivers really just don’t like cyclists. Like the one the other day who purposefully moved over to block me from overtaking him when he was stationary in traffic. Now that’s not very nice behaviour, but at the end of the day it’s a ridiculous move because when you’re stuck in traffic in a car, there’s very little that will stop a biker finding a way around your car if they want to get past.

This morning’s gem was rocking up at a set of traffic lights to almost be taken out by a passenger throwing open their door. I was on the inside, fortunately just coasting to a stop alongside the only car at the junction, when an office worker jumps out in front of me. Eeek. At least I know the brakes work, but if I’d been going faster he’d have been taken out.

So I’m riding, but not riding at the moment. I’ve never been convinced that commuting really counts as riding, clearly it is turning pedals and moving along on two wheels, but it’s not the same as going for a ride. Last month with three proper mountain bike rides and almost daily commuting I clocked up just over 100 miles, which is actually more than last April so perhaps things aren’t as bad as they seem. That said looking at the calendar and lots of busy weekends ahead, unless there’s some decent midweek riding May is going to be a bit of a non-event in terms of biking too. Must make more effort…

I miss riding my Remedy. I need to get out on it more and throw it about…

Photo by Jamie Carr

Ace day riding in the Dark Peak today. Discovering this bench on the climb up to New Allotments was a highlight:

Which over looked this:

Chris has been in touch to promote what 414 Kiting are doing for this coming season. After a very successful season last summer running kitesurfing courses from April through to September on Lake Como in Northern Italy, 414 Kiting will be open again at the end of this month on 25th April. The ‘Breva’ thermal wind has already started to kick in and with 10% off all lessons in May it is time to start planning your Kiting trip this summer.

Whether a complete beginner looking to get your first taste of this exciting sport, a freshly hooked kiter looking to improve on existing skills or an advanced rider wanting to hone that latest trick, IKO-affiliated 414 Kiting and Lake Como offers the perfect safe environment and friendly approach to achieve this and more. Chris and Ben are both IKO level 2 qualified instructors with extensive experience teaching on Lake Como, who will ensure progression at whatever pace suits you.

414 Kiting on Lake Como, Italy

At 414 Kiting we are delighted to continue our excellent relationship with F-One kites and we will again have a full range of brand new high quality kites for this season. We have the much sought after Bandit Dos and the beginner friendly Revolt for those in the know to get excited about! As well as our two comfortable 5m RIB’s for teaching from out on the on the lake we will also be adding a jet ski to our teaching fleet this year and have more high quality wetsuits, harnesses and all the safety equipment required.

We are also delighted to have Katherine with us full time this summer, who as well as bringing an extra pair of hands to the kitesurfing courses will also be using them to work her magic as a qualified Sports Masseuse for those for whom an exhilarating day out on the lake needs to be offset with a therapeutic massage or as a more sedate alternative for non-kiting group members. Katherine will also be running the 414 apartments and bringing that much needed feminine touch. The apartments are perfectly located right opposite the school, 200 metres from the lake, and offer ideal kiting accommodation for couples, families or combined for larger groups.

With a range of Easyjet, Ryanair and BA flights into Milan’s three airports, Bergamo, Malpensa and Linate and an easy drive of less than 90 minutes from any of these it couldn’t be easier to get to us at Gera Lario on the truly stunning Lake Como. There are also train and other public transport links and ferries will take you wherever you need to go on the lake. Remember it is not all about the kiting; the Lake Como is a destination in its own right with a plethora of other things to do and see in between or instead of kiting and of course some fantastic Italian food and wine to distract you!

So check out our website at http://www.414kiting.com and drop us a line to book or with any questions that we would be delighted to answer!

info@414kiting.com

Chris tel.:
Until 24th April +41 7873 27295
After 24th April +39 333 203 0399

Ben tel.:
Until 24th April +44 7970 597 816
After 24th April +39 335 828 6958

Stripped the bottom bracket area of the singlespeed down at the weekend. Didn’t bother taking the Phil Wood EBB out of the shell as there is very little that can go wrong with this simple, but brilliant design. The left hand cover on the XT Hollowtech II cups that was fitted came away with the non drive side crank and it was clear that the o-ring seal was shot. The Phil Wood bearings inside the cup seemed to be still spinning smoothly but were a bit dirty externally. I’ll have to get around to cleaning them up and try them in a different bike to see if they’re the source of the creak.

Fitted a Hope stainless steel bottom bracket and cleaned up the Race Face Deus Cranks. There was a bit of grit in behind the crank bolt and extractor cap, but otherwise no signs of any damage from them having been ridden loose. Phew. Also changed the spindles over on the Candy pedals, taking the Titanium ones out and putting some steel ones in. Creaks had all disappeared on the ride this morning so at least all the fellting seems to have done the trick.

Fantastic weekend of riding with friends in the heart of the Dark Peak. Based out of Bamford we had two good rides over two days with a big group and lots of banter. It was great.

More Photos

Not so great was my singlespeed. Last weekend when riding it I noticed something was wrong with the front chainset, further inspection revealed what appeared to be a bent chainring. Given the the whole drive train was up for replacement, I wasn’t too bothered about this, so ordered a new Salsa 34T chainring and dug out an unused Chris King sprocket and spare chain.

Fitted them on Friday night only to find the problem was still there, which I took to mean that I’d bent the Race Face Deus Cranks. Anyway riding on Saturday revealed that the actual cause of the problem was that the 10mm Allen key locking bolt had come loose so the whole crank was wobbly on the axle. Two 5mm Allen keys combined as a temporary means of tightening until we reached the Derwent Cycle Centre on Ladybower where the very nice staff dug into their tool box to find a proper tool for the job.

Anyway even after all that the bike spent the rest of Saturday and all of Sunday creaking like a Halfords Special. This is now pointing the finger of blame at either the pedals or bottom bracket and although I’ll replace the axles on the former just for piece of mind, my money is on the BB. This is running on the upgraded Phil Wood bearings and it was only last week that I was proudly saying they had done four years without problem. That’d have cursed it to fail on the next ride then…