Hiatus. Hello Cycling in Liverpool

Well, it's been a while but I'm now in a position to start banging on about bikes again. We've had le tour pass through the North of England, the Giro in Belfast and all sorts of other bits and bobs that I've missed blogging about.
Being based in Liverpool now means I have different roads to ride on and a wholly different situation to ride in.
Incase you didn't know, the Mayor of this city - chap called Jo Anderson - is currently experimenting with abandoning bus lanes.
The experiment - which has lasted a year I think - comes to an end later this month.
The tarffic seems to move around the city just fine but it obviously makes things more difficult for cyclists. Be interesting to see what happend from August.
Liverpool has recently started a hire bike scheme. According to a piece in the Echo yesterday, 3000 joureneys have taken place. The bikes look good but I have only once seen anybody riding them - two lasses at the Pier Head.

Cycling has got a long long way to go in this city...

Best Paris-Roubaix ever - 1998

This is superb

In search of @MalcCowle

It’s amazing where bikes can take you isn’t it? So there I am sitting on the 07.40 boneshaker to Greenfield and being a cyclist proves to be an icebreaker with a fellow rider sharing the bike dump compartment.

The lovely chap, who I later find out is splendidly named Ivor, tells me about his hand-built pride and joy. ‘Ah, a Harry Hall is it’ I offer, smug in my encyclopaedic knowledge of Manchester frame builders, ‘No, no it’s a macowwww.’

Hmmmm? Didn’t quite catch that but I went through a pantomime of recognition as you do.

Fortunately my train buddy persevered: ‘He was a draftsman and a trade union activist who became a bike builder. Lives in Dentdale these days and has written a number of books. Malc Cowle.’

Malc reading the Grauniad by the looks

Well, that was enough for me really, I thought I have to track this guy down and find out a bit more. 

This blog has always been about shining lights into the dimly-lit corners of cycling culture and this was a stone I felt compelled to turn over.

So, the starting point was… well, the t’interweb obviously and there he was, well, his twitter feed and website which I urge you to check out.

I’ll drop him a line and ask him if he’ll answer a few questions for the blog. 

What follows is the result. Happy reading.

What was the first bike you owned?

I was given a loop framed woman’s bike when I was ten years of age and when I passed my eleven plus my Dad’s sisters, who brought me up, bought me a brand new Raleigh Trent Tourist.

When did you start making bikes and when did you finish? You worked out of Withington is that right?

I first started building made to measure bike frames in 1980. I was an engineering draughtsman by trade but I was blacklisted by the Engineering Employer’s Federation. My wife was pregnant and I wasn’t prepared for a life on the dole, so I started building frames. I built my first one in an air-raid shelter in the backyard of our house at Levenshulme and then in a workshop in Stockport. In late 1981 I opened Medlock Cycles on Upper brook Street. That went bust as a result of the mass unemployment resulting from the closure of Manchester’s manufacturing industries in the early Thatcher years. Then I shared a workshop in Ancoats with a stove enameller and later opened Campus Cycles in Fallowfield (1997) and took over Withington Cycles in 2003. I stopped building frames shortly after.

Do you get out and ride much these days?

I did until about three years ago. I’m hoping to get fit again for my 70th birthday in July this year.

What attracted you to building bikes? Can you remember your first build?

Necessity is the mother of invention they say and I had to re-invent myself as a result of my being prevented from working at the job I was trained to do and loved to do. My first build was for myself, but then a friend insisted I sold it to him.

You must have seen bike design change dramatically over the years (materials etc) what do you think of today's bikes?

Basic design hasn’t changed in its essentials, ie the rider’s position in relation to the bike frame, because the best ergonomic position had been realised before the latest materials were developed. Materials have changed dramatically, particularly in the use of carbon fibre. I must admit I have never rode a carbon fibre frame for any length, but in most cases they certainly look beautiful. Titanium and aluminium frames leave a lot to be desired in my opinion. Generally speaking I see a lot of bikes to be admired.

Are today's bikes a bit souless or is that sentimental nonsense?

I don’t think they are. The essential difference between a bike and other modes of transport is that rider and bike become one, and the thing that determines whether the bike has “soul” is the individual rider’s relationship with his or her bike.

So, as a rough estimate, how many bikes have you welded together? Any particular bikes stand out to you as memorable for whatever reason?

I haven’t welded any together. They were all brazed or silversoldered. I don’t know how many I built, although I made many friends as a result. The most memorable bike is the tandem I brought my son up on. I ended up as a single parent when Tom was 22 months of age. He rode around in a child seat at first but he went on the back of a tandem I built to celebrate his fourth birthday and we had many adventures together on it, and cycled thousands of miles.

Cycling has a long-established link to socialism most notably through the clarion movement. Any thoughts on the relationship of cycling and the left? And, has cycling lost some of that link during its latest flowering of popularity?

I think it’s brilliant that cycling is becoming more main stream in Britain. It’s long overdue and we still have a long way to go before we catch up with other countries. As for cycling’s connection with socialism I think what it needs is for socialists to start cycling again!

Aficionados often cite Italian bikes as the most beautiful. Any thoughts on this?

I was always impressed with Italian bikes, but I think British frame builders could and can hold their own with anybody.

How many bikes do you now own?

One and yes – it’s a Malc Cowle

The greatest cyclist of all time is?

I haven’t a clue.

What would your cycling utopia look like?

A world where production was for human need, not human greed, and people finally realised they worked to live, rather than lived for work. In such a situation people would have plenty of time for leisure, to cycle and to walk, and not be reliant on enclosed boxes on wheels to get them from A to B as fast as possible.

I've not yet read your biography but I will, is there any cycling related anecdote you have a bursting urge to share?

Yes – but I’m going to have to think about it.

Do you know of any epic journeys the bikes you made went on?

One guy set out for Australia overland with two others. Unfortunately all disappeared into a deep hole when cycling through an unlit tunnel in Yugoslavia and all three wrecked their frames. Tom and myself cycled from Manchester to London, camping on the way when he was four, and to the Isle of Skye and back when he was six. We cycled round Ireland when he was ten and from Cherbourg to Bilbao over the Pyrenees when he was 13.

One piece of cycling related advice you inherited and one you'd like to pass on.

Always carry a roll of insulation tape with you as well as a spare inner tube. If you have a puncture because of a split in your tyre, you replace the inner tube, inflate it to the point where it rounds out, wrap the insulation tape around that part of the inner tube where the split in the tyre is. Then, when you inflate it to full pressure the tube can’t come through the split and burst.

Gone Dutch

I've taken an unenforced break from the blog lately owing to the fact that it was in danger of becoming a blog about precipitation rather than cycling.

Anyway, as you know, the correct number of bicycles to own is n+1 where n is the current number owned. Following this ethos of the Velominati's rule 12, allow me to introduce my new beautiful Dutch model.

Saddle adjustment required

Oxford Road works to start on Jan 20th

Infrastructure works to make Oxford Road, Portland Street and Piccadilly Gardens more bus, and bike, friendly are due to start this month according to TfGM. Coupled with the work to put new tram lines along Cross Street, it looks like it'll be a busy, and tricky few months of riding around Manchester City Centre.
You can read the press release here if you're so inclined or you can watch the video thingamabob below.
Whether this is the change to cycling infrastructure Manchester needs, I suppose only time will tell but what is for sure is that it's the best the city is going to get for years to come.

Does it have the feel of something truly significant for cycling? Well, not really, its some segregated lanes and some coloured tarmac. Some lanes are routed behind bus stops, others not. And, of course, you have got to get to these facilities first of all.
But, it's something and as a glass-half-full person, it is better than nowt. 
oven that these cycling improvements are being delivered as part of a bus improvement scheme tells its own story...

What's the best way to dry your bike post-wash?

Hang it on the washing line? 

Mudguard destruction

This week was probably the worst possible week to destroy your mudguards on your bike. The incessant rain and huge puddles of standing water have left my bike - which was gleaming on Monday morning - looking like its been cyclocrossing for ten days.
I managed to completely destroy my Crud Roadracer mudguards by taking the outdoor cover off my bike - absurdly, the cover was stuck under the front one and as I pulled it up, a loud crack signaled the end of its useful life.

That the rear one suffered a similar fate only moments later left me in a magnificent mood as I grappled around in the dark under sheets of rain.
Anyway, five soaking rides later, my replacement Crud Roadracer guards arrived today and have been fitted post haste as it's still lashing down in Uppermill.
These guards are the only choice for winter road bikes in my view - dead easy to fit, light and great coverage - what's not to like?
Hey ho, things should get better now - well when my shoes dry out from Monday they will.

@VeloViewer : making Strava loads more interesting

If, like me , you use the Strava to clock your miles and review how badly you're going but want a bit more info, then I can highly recommend the superb VeloViewer website.
I've not delved fully into it yet but essentially it takes all the info that the bog standard version of Strava produces and collates it all in one place for your surgical dissection at a later date - good eh?
Well, yes, it is good, very good in fact.

All you need for a quiet night in...

What's more it is priced very keenly at £0 and 0p - but there is an option of making a donation so the guy who's put it all together and given you access to it out of the goodness of his heart, can buy a pint or whatever.
Once you've logged in with strava deets and uploaded your routes, a whole new world of data fixation awaits you - dive in and see what you can find!

New year, same rain

It's amazing how quickly your fitness evaporates when you don't do much riding isn't it? 
Having not ridden my bike since before Christmas - happy new year by the way dear reader - I was back on my trusty steed this morning fresh after a winter overhaul.
New chain, cassette and wheels in place, it was great to be back on two wheels but far too hard for my liking!

Get cape, wear cape, ride

It's lashing down now too - welcome back to the world of cycling in the UK's north west in January...

I were right about that saddle though

Its the time of year to roll out the yellow pages ad from the early 80s and keep my fingers crossed for the unlikely gift of a new bike  tomorrow.

How many miles cycled in the last year?

I think I've ridden more miles this year than any other. My trusty Strava app tells me I've clocked over 3,500 miles which aint bad.

I reckon I've done over 4,000 adding in all the little pootles to the shops and that. Happy days.

Ride safe

Hardknott pass descent...on front wheel only...backwards...

This is really impressive and fun stuff. I think its Hardknott at 3mins 44 - but then the lake in the distance doesn't look quite right... 

Whatever, it is mental really. If I was from the America, I'd probably say 'Awsome' (aarrrr-somme) then whoop a bit...

@gmcycling goes for membership growth in 2014

The lovely people over at Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign have just issued the winter edition of its member's newsletter - your truly has even delivered a few - by bike of course.
As part of the ramping up of activity for next year, the campaign wants you - want's you to become a member that is.
And, being the generous souls, new members are being offered the first year's membership for nowt.
The campaign exists to champion the cause of cyclists in Greater Manchester and act as an independent voice on matters effecting the two-wheeled brethren.

The more members GMCC has, the greater weight the voice carries - so if you care one jot about riding, infrastructure, safety, traffic etc in Greater Manchester, you should join.
It costs a tenner to be a member - the cost of a couple of inner tubes - so, what ya waiting for?
Click here for deets.

Posties on Pashleys

If you, like me, keep your eyes peeled for cycling related stuff going on around you, you'll have noticed some new additions to the streets of suburban Manchester in recent months.
TNT, the Dutch based courier service, has rolled out a fleet - not sure how many you actually need to constitute a fleet but they have more than two so a fleet it is - of postal delivery bikes as they continue to undercut Royal Mail.
This is the first time - to my knowledge - that a company other than Royal Mail has delivered to the door in the UK - the 'final mile' as it's known.
You may recall that Royal Mail dropped its own bike fleet a few years ago which was very bad news for Brompton which was its exclusive supplier. I seem to recall than heath & safety was spuriously trotted out as the reason to ditch the bikes in favour of those idiotic red chariot things the posties push around these days.
Anyhoo, the TNT bikes are orange - as you would expect - Pashley Pronto cargo bikes and very nice they are too.

Is that a 7 or a 9?

If there is a more suitable vehicle for the delivery of those 'sorry it wouldn't fit through your letterbox' notices than the bicycle, then I'll eat one of the 300 punctured tubes I have knocking around.
Good to see.

The best cycling film ever is...

Ive just watched A Sunday in Hell again and it is superb.
The full film used to be on youtube but it's now been removed - there are a few tantalising bits there though like the opening credits.

As well as being a great insight into the world of Merckx at the top of his powers, it reveals the pain and commitment required to take on the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix.
I first saw this film about 30 years ago as a young whipper-snapper and certain images have stayed with me for all these years: Merckx, the cobbles and - as a premonition of my future riding capability - the broom wagon.
If you've never had a look at this then do so - it's well worth it.

Which are the best cycling books?

As is often my want, I'm starting with a caveat: I haven't read every single book on cycling so you can read this guide with a pinch of salt.
I have however, knocked off a good few of the books on cycling and have a hit list of others.

I'm not really a fan of the 'authorised biography' genre documenting the highs and dramatic lows of [insert name]'s career.

I always feel they're a bit self-serving and I just shy away from them. That said, I do have the Obree Flying Scotsman on my 'to read' list and thought Tyler Hamilton's The Secret Race was insightful enough to elevate it over the usual standards.

If you can find a copy of Paul Kimmage's Rough Ride, it provides an excellent warts and all view from inside the Peleton in the 80s and 90s which, coincided when I first took an interest in the sport so is especially vivid.

Perhaps less well known is the rather bitter polemic from the likeable former Festina soigneur, Willy Voet Breaking the Chain. Although short - you can knock this off in an afternoon - it shares the first hand realism of Rough Ride and is stark and uncomfortable as a result.

Of course, three of these books are essentially about the recent doping era a category which is not complete without reading David Walsh's From Lance to Landis. 

As I understand it this is pretty much the USADA case against Lance minus the testimony of peers. It all the stuff you've read about in the media: the back-dated scripts, make up over needle marks, shady meetings in car parks - all that stuff. If you've read this one don't bother with Walsh's Seven Deadly Sins as it's the same material.

A Dog in a Hat by former US pro Joe Parkin shares much of the same feelings as Kimmage's Rough Ride but has a much better title. Parkin comes across as a wholesome American kid struggling on in a blue collar Springsteen way. But its more than the cliche suggests. What really comes through is that the excitement and hope drawn from being part of a pro cycling team quickly evaporates into the drudgery of doing a job. A job which happens to involve riding a bike for much of the time.

Rather than the doping culture, this is the really sad theme that comes through for my as my romantic notions are cut off at the knees. Well worth a read.
At the opposite end of the scale is the Death of Marco Pantani by Matt Rendell. I whet my lips when i first picked a copy up in a second hand book shop in town for about 50p. However, trying to read it is as difficult as it would be for me to hold Pantani's wheel up Alpe d'Huez in his pomp. I just found it to be impenetrable and gave up after about four goes and 50 pages. I will try again one day.

William Fotheringham's biog of Merckx Half Man Half Bike is a very nice holiday type book with loads of great stories.  

Other than assorted histories of Le Tour and a few other bits and bobs, that's pretty much my library covered - I know there are many gaps - but as i said earlier, much of the output doesn't really interest me.

But anyway, here's my 'to read' list:

Tomorrow we ride - Louison Bobet
European Cycling - the 20 greatest races
Fallen Angel - Coppi (Fotheringham)
The Hour - Michael Hutchinson
Flying Scotsman - Obree
Escape Artist - Matt Seaton

What Sunday is for

Stolen bike alert

Given everything that's happened in London over the last two weeks, it seems  in rather poor taste that I say the worst thing that can happen to a cyclist is to have your bike nicked.

But when it happens, it's grim. Scrotes! In the words of Alan Partridge: scum, sub-human scum. 

So, keep your eyes peeled for this machine stolen yesterday from a Chorlton Velo member - it's only a week old too...

How to build bike wheels

Wheel building has always been a mystery to me. In fact, one of the most dangerous sights for any bike wheel is me with a spoke key in my hand.
However, I've recently become obsessed with the art of building wheels to the extent where I think i'm going to buy myself a jig, some lovely Hope hubs, Mavic rims and some spokes; put the kettle on and see what happens.

There's something quite cathartic about building and truing wheels - at least watching other people do it - something calming about the fact that putting the spokes in is called lacing and making it straight is called truing - it's just nice!

Of course, there is only one place to start with this challenge - youtube. The series of films from this chap from the US of A is really good and makes it look dead easy.

There are loads of others out there too, so spoke key in hand, I'm going to give it a whirl. It can't be that difficult can it?

How to ruin a lithium ion battery

My trusty Moon 500 XP lamp has given up the ghost following three years of faultless service and the worst thing is, I'm entirely to blame for its demise - allow me to explain and it may save you suffering the same fate.
The Moon lamp relies on a lithium ion battery to kick out its 500 lumens and these batteries require a few specific handling techniques to keep them in top order.
Lithium Ion batteries apparently begin degrading from the moment they are manufactured. They are good for a few thousand charges but they, like us all, have the terrible certainty of terminal demise looming on the horizon.
Unlike Nikel Cadmium (NiCad) batteries, lithum ion batteries don't suffer from the phenomenon of battery memory where if a battery is continually recharged when it's at 50% power, the battery will end up with only 50% of its run time. To combat this, it's wise to run the battery flat and then fully recharge it to maintain it's 100% capacity. Easy.
So, when I thought: 'I think I'll run the battery completely flat and give it a full charge' little did I know that it was an unnecessary exercise.
Not only was it unnecessary, running a lithium ion battery completely flat can result in the cells being damaged rendering the battery un-chargeable. And that's the situation I'm now in.
So, with new battery on order and £20 lighter, heed the warning!