Sorting the Inbred

The front end of the Inbred is much too low. It's always been like that, for some reason the clowns* at On-One cut the steerer tube right down when they built the bike, probably to save 50p on spacers. This didn't matter so much 25+ years ago, but I'm older now and a low front end just gives me neck ache, which puts me off riding the thing. 

So, I've fitted a new riser stem and bars. The stem has a 70mm reach, and On-One OG (whatever that means) bars were chosen. These haven't got the amount of rise that I wanted, so they could end up being changed at some point. But, I do like the swept back hand position.

This has only given me another 15mm in height, but my weight is a bit further back so I should be a tad more upright.

Grips are Ergon lock on jobs, the same as on my fatbike.

I also fitted new brake cables, inner and outer with new noodles. The outers and noodles have never been changed before.

A quick ride around the block and up the golf course and all seems good so far. It will be a while before I know whether I'm happy with the set-up or need higher bars.

*When I bought the bike, straight from On-One mail order, back in 2000/1, it came with the wrong size seat post, one size too small. To go with that the clamp was also a size too small. I suspect that the parts bin was being cleared when the put the thing together. On-One made great bikes, but as a company they were crap.

Paul.

Should I be here?

This is a wide, well made vehicle track, which does get used by farmers and gamekeepers from time to time;

It stays in condition all year round, I've ridden it in all conditions, rain, snow, fog, and the ground is always good.

I rarely meet anyone else using it, whether on bike or foot.

So, should I be here on my bike? 

The answer is no, it's designated as a public footpath so bikes aren't allowed (unless you get off and push). Which is just stupid, as can be seen in the photos the track is wide and well made, perfect for horses and bikes. But, we're technically not allowed to ride it. But I do anyway. I could ride up and down there all day and do no harm. Historically it's probable that it was once a packhorse trail, something that I ought to check up on, there are the remains of mineshafts either side of the track. The area is littered with bell pits where coal was mined. 

Our rights of way system is out of date, there are hundreds if not thousands of miles of footpaths that could, and should, be upgraded to cycleways or better still bridlepaths.

I'll carry on riding along it. If you see me stop and say hi.

Paul.

Nothing to see here...

...just a boring middle-aged man, sitting down leaning against a drystone wall drinking tea and eating marzipan whilst a skylark sings overhead;

 Paul.

Minimalism

I didn't fancy a long ride today, and I also fancied something different so I pumped up the tyres on my ancient On-One Inbred and took that out for a short spin. I just did my figure-of-eight through the quarry and round the fields, and that was quite enough for me on a lazy Sunday morning.

It was nice to get out on this bike again, I don't think I've touched it for a couple of years. And it was good to get back to singlespeeding, something I used to really enjoy. The Mojito left a good few years ago, it was fun at the time but along came the fatty and so it was sold. The Inbred however is staying, if only for sentimental value. I know 26" wheels are outdated, V brakes are crap and the front end is too low (quite why the idiots at On-One cut the steerer tube that short is beyond me) but for short quick rides it's fun. I do plan to raise the front end, I'm going to try higher rise bars and a riser stem, which should help as the set-up at the moment gives me neck ache after a while.

I'll be out on it again before too long.

Paul.

Easter at the Rollright Stones

Whilst in the Cotswolds for Easter we decided to bother the Rollrights, and as it was Easter we went a-botherin' on a Sunday evening to try and avoid the crowds (nothing against crowds mind, but it is nice to get the place to ourselves if possible). There were a few people about, and a few dogs which set Polo off. He's still quite reactive but not nearly as bad as he was 12 months ago.

I didn't try to photograph the whole circle, my camera is rubbish and the light was wrong, so I just took a few shots of individual stones;

Across the road the King Stone can be found;

The unusual, but somehow pleasing, shape is due to folk chipping pieces off 'for luck' in earlier times. Thankfully it is now fenced off. I'd like to say that we now live in more enlightened times, but, Sycamore Gap...

Not a stone, but the concrete remains of an ROC post;

Nearby lie the Whispering Nights, again enclosed;

A nice evening bother, although they don't quite have the allure of my local Peak stones.

Paul.