Je suis un bucoliquer de velo?

 

Not a randonneur. Although not racing, they have an aim, a purpose; certain mileage to be covered in a fixed time. Cycleur is used to describe a pedalling flaneur. But a flaneur's haunts, and I assume a cycleur's, are urban and their wandering lacks purpose, their drifting one of disinterest. I cycle the byways and lanes in the sticks not in town, and perhaps unfocused, without purpose, in just what order I ride them, just a rough idea of a route before setting off, but I'm not disinterested. A circling red kite, a kestrel hovering, an oak, an ash, causing pause of movement and pause for thought. But losing oneself in the moment does happen, interest in the surroundings dispensed. So a cycleur, perhaps, but rural not urban. Does cycleur de bucolique cover it? Or to avoid cycleur, how about: bucoliquer de velo? Apologies to French speakers for mullering their, err, la langue de mere.

The sun was out today. The hedgerows and trees lining the lanes offered respite from the unrelenting rays. But it was good to feel some July warmth. The ford on Long Brook Lane was dry. Not much rain of late. Come winter the footbridge is often the more sensible option.

It could be the last few rides of the Surly on 700c wheels. I've been meaning to try 650b for some time now and I finally ordered a set; dynamo too. I've yet to decide on tyres - Rene Herse would be nice. Jan Heine has been instrumental in the resurgence of the 650b tyre. I've used their tyres before, from when they were called Compass. The 700 x 35 Bon Jon Pass is a particular favourite. I might stretch to a set of 650b x 42 Babyshoe Pass.

A change of wheel size means a change of mudguard too. I can't go without a set - if only to annoy my work colleague and good friend Jon (He just doesn't get them, even when his backside is sodden). The bike needs more silver, so silver it is, and I've deviated from my usual choice of Velo Orange (which are excellent) and gone Honjo.

The Surly - 700c mode