Monthly Archives: April 2006

I’ve still not managed 200 miles in a month yet this year. Must try harder.

Out again on the Unit today, but this time I headed southish. After a brief stopoff to collect my freshly repaired Endura wool top, I headed out through Rainbow Woods where I had to stop again to reattach my rear disk rotor properly. After passing Sham Castle I decided to explore a route down through the woods. The first and last parts were good, the middle was muddy, rutted, and heavily overgrown. I don’t think I’ll be headed down that way again.

Not only did my old helmet finally wear out on Friday, but I’ve just noticed that I’ve worn out my 4 year old Ground Effect Supertanker shorts.

Nothing lasts these days.

Just a quick spin on the Unit today, I headed round the edge of Lansdown and down into North Stoke before heading home again.

All being well, we’ll be doing the same ride on Thursday night for the inaugural post-work ride with a few cow-orkers.

My Giro Gila helmet finally died today. I’d had it for 6-7 years or so, so it’s not had a bad life. It’s now been replaced with a shiny new Bell Sweep XC helmet, and my aging Giro E2 will take over commuting duties.

The drizzle during the day finally cleared and left a nice sunny evening, so I headed out for a leisurely 20 miles on the road bike which was a pleasant way to end the day.

I also passed 600 miles for the year today. Ideally I wanted to be nearer 800 by now.

I headed out to explore a footpath I’d not ridden for about 15 years or so, fully expecting it to be crap. Luckily it turned out to be pretty ace.

I got a bit lost but ended up riding an ace bit of singletrack through a private wood. I retraced my steps but was thwarted but a supposidly closed footpath at Tucking Mill, however I ignored the signs and rode it anway.

15.5 miles in the end, time for a bacon sandwich now.

More pictures.

I’ve just noticed that todays ride took me past 6500 miles since I started keeping count in May 2003.

The usual bank holiday road ride was cancelled by Ian this year due to a bad back, this was quite fortuitous as the weather was crap this morning. Mid afternoon I met up with Alex and Ethan in the park, and bumped into my old neighbours who I’ve not seen for 5 years or so. After spending a couple of hours with them I popped home, got changed, topped up the hip flask, and headed out on the Unit for a couple of hours. I did the usual University ride and stopped off on the downs for a Kit Kat and a swig of 10 year old Jura. The perfect end to the afternoon.

A cracking ride on the Unit tonight. A gentle spin up the hill, then offroad to the Uni lead to a lengthy stop on the downs to sup whiskey, eat chocolate, and watch the sun go down. After a scout planning meeting I had a quick spin back along the canal and through town and got home in time for bacon sarnies and Stella. Does it get much better than that?

I’ve fixed most of the niggles from the first ride, the cranks creak less, the replacement grips are more comfortable, and the forks are slightly less wobbly. It’s almost perfect now.

I ended up doing about 18 miles on the Unit last night.

A few minor issues came to light. The chainset still creaks annoyingly, I need to change the grips, the chain jumps occasionally, and the forks are scarily flexy. Other that that it was fantastic fun to ride, a much better fit than the Kaboom it’s replaced. Anyone want to buy a 19" Kona Kaboom?

More pictures: http://gallery.dynamite.org/unitfirstride

The Unit is now built and briefly test ridden.

Final Spec:

Kona Unit frame
700C Kona P2 forks
Hope XC headset
On-One/Planet-X Wheels with Panaracer Cinder 2.25 tyres
Truvative Stylo cranks and Gigapipe BB
Shimano LX disc brakes
Easton EA50 bars and stem
Planet-X seatpost, Selle Italia Oktavia saddle.

The ultra-short forks combined with 180mm cranks seem to be a recipe for disaster, I suspect one or the other will end up getting changed at some point.

The LX brakes are a doddle to set up, hopefully they’ll be as reliable as my 4.5 year old XT ones.

Proper test ride later, probably.

It now has a nice headset fitted, time to go and wave some spanners at it.

Today I have been mostly trying to bleed my Hope E4 brakes in preparation for the arrival of the Unit. I quickly remembered how much I hate servicing Hope brakes and very nearly spent £110 on some Shimano LX brakes just to save me the hassle of having to deal with the Hopes.

I’ll probably need at least another rear brake soon if I’m going to resurrect the Craftworks, although I’ll probably end up getting a pair of Shimano ones for the Unit and sticking the Hopes on the Craftworks.