The sound of silence

Circumstances are such, the Saturday ride has been an early affair recently. The rising Sun a companion on empty lanes. With the new lighting system complete, I'm not just seen but can also light the road ahead to see. A SON dynamo and Edelux II show the way ahead:

An elegant Blue Lug Koma for the rear:

A new bag too - a Carradice Super C Saddlepack. The material the usual suspect, waxed cotton duck, and at 6 litres, it fits a gap in the collection. More than enough for my Saturday morning jaunt, the necessary kit and grub for a day's riding certainly within its capabilities too.

Acoustics are a big part of how a bikes feels. Noise distracts and feels slow; silence is fast (unless it’s me panting like hell, then I'm rapid). It's all feel of course, a speedometer providing the truth. The front mudguard had been creaking. I figured the lack of any cushion between it and the fork crown was the culprit. I took a rubber washer from a daruma and wedged it between the two; nothing holding it place other than the force of the clamp behind the fork crown.

Job's a good'un - silencio. The Surly is riding like a Cadillac - I won’t be winning any Crits on it (nor any other bike, I've always been pack fodder) but it's as plush a ride as I've ever had. The tyres have made a huge difference. “Only” standard casing Rene Herse Babyshoe Pass but they mop up the battered back lanes like nobody’s business.

Good on the wildlife front too this morning: a heron gliding through the mist, a muntjac scarpering into a copse, and startled pheasants scattering this way and that.

The lock at Lowsonford