Today's Ride

[Frankenorange]

Just south of Lewes, crossing the water meadows, looking towards the old hillfort of Mt Caburn. Then onto the Downs and past the vineyard at Breaky Bottom.View attachment 937578View attachment 937579View attachment 937580

Very Dorset and Wiltshire looking. Breaky Bottom is what you get when it has rained alot on that chalky stuff!

 

[wynne]

It is, it's mostly chalk downland round here and more forested just north in the weald.
Wet chalk, especially on the north side of the hill, where it develops a nice green slime on it, is like greased ice - steering and braking becomes entirely irrelevant to direction at various points.

Anyway, one looking back at Lewes from the west. It felt like winter had returned today.

 

[raidan73]

It is, it's mostly chalk downland round here and more forested just north in the weald.
Wet chalk, especially on the north side of the hill, where it develops a nice green slime on it, is like greased ice - steering and braking becomes entirely irrelevant to direction at various points.

Anyway, one looking back at Lewes from the west. It felt like winter had returned today.View attachment 937924

Nice looking bike

 

[Frankenorange]

It is, it's mostly chalk downland round here and more forested just north in the weald.
Wet chalk, especially on the north side of the hill, where it develops a nice green slime on it, is like greased ice - steering and braking becomes entirely irrelevant to direction at various points.

Anyway, one looking back at Lewes from the west. It felt like winter had returned today.View attachment 937924

It is some of the deadliest stuff for riding on. We have a good one in this part of Dorset and that is the thickest and stickiest clay mud you will find. It was great for brick making, many moons ago, but will stop a bike in a few meters. Like properly stop so you have to carry. A walking man gradually gains a foot in height as it builds up on your shoes!

Like your bike. How are you getting on with that Redshift stem?

 

[wynne]

The clay is the same here. It's just starting to dry out. Strange that something can be simultaneously the most slippery and the stickiest thing in creation.

I like the stem. It's unnoticeable in use but really seems to do a job. A friend gave it to me to try and I'm going to struggle to give it back.

 

[Frankenorange]

I like the stem. It's unnoticeable in use but really seems to do a job. A friend gave it to me to try and I'm going to struggle to give it back.

I have read mostly positive things about them. Did you get the different wedges to play with, or was it a make do that happens to work? . My understanding is that going stiffer is better and they do take the sting out of some surfaces.

They are starting to pop up on ebay now and again. Not cheap, but worth it if it makes a difference.

 

[wynne]

My friend who is 6'2" and about 15 stone had it set up with the firmest insert. I'm a bit lighter, but have a fairly stompy riding "style" so I just left it. I don't think I would want anything softer as i'm so used to riding rigid bikes off road and using my arms and legs to damp impacts.
Overall, I'm not sure I'd buy one but I do think it's a good, well designed, unobtrusive bit of kit. It'll be staying on the bike until he decides he wants it back.
I see USE just launched a similar stem. Might be worth a look too.

 

[Piotr]

Today morning....more and more beautiful....the condition is improving