Nothing spectacular just Star Cross and back 84k on NR2 same old same old except today I christened Alexandra Stooge. Apart from a couple of short rides round town and up and down the road I have not been out doing proper riding yet. Yesterday all the omens were good – mainly weather related - so transferred last bits from old hack and was all ready to go.
I Intended to leave at eight this morning but it was raining stair-rods so spuddled about, fitted a new seat cover in the car, chatted to the scaffolders who turned up to take their scaffolding away, and by ten the sun was shining so set off.
The riding position was everything I had hoped for. Andrew made some suggestions regarding seat post type so I set it up to my riding height with the Jones Loops at the same height. I thought it pretty much spot on although might just raise the seat a smiggen. I am using a B17 which holds me at just the correct position so pedaling is fairly easy with no weight on my hands and wrists. Bliss.
Interesting that the mighty 2.8 Trailblazer did exactly what my knackered old Mountain King did in the glupe up behind the golf course, which was to spin out and leave me foot down in it and having to walk. Everything was fine across Mutters Moor so I wound it up and arrived at the top of the rock garden decent to the main road with double vision. The new bike got a real covering in the stickiest glupiest mud and then later the road was flooded beyond the bird reserve on the back road into Budleigh. To start with it only covered the front rim then it was up to the pedals then the BB which meant I had to stop and ring out my socks once I reached dry ground.
Rest of the ride was uneventful apart from cold feet and the front saddle bolt coming loose and wrecking the seat position. Tried to fix it only to discover that the multi-tool I have been carrying about for several years has Allen keys in 2mm increments which meant I had too big and too small.

I will sort out the seat position tomorrow.
Still getting used to the new gearing, which is 2 x 11. I got used the old 3 x 9 where I could sit all day on the middle ring and use all the rear gears. With this set up I am more conscious of upper and lower limits between front rings. What I did enjoy was on the long straights down the Exe I can lean forward on the Jones bar find just the right gear and cadence then just eat up the miles. It just feels right.
Still need to sort out tyre pressures as front tyre is not really absorbing the hits. Also need to decide between replacing WTBs with 650b Maxxis or Conti or trying 29er with TK and MK. Any one got some 29er wheels 15mm front axle 135 QR rear I can borrow?
