Crud Race Pac Bike Mudguard Review

Bought recently from Halfords, where they were considerably cheaper than other places, these mudguards are okay. The rear guard fits as you'd expect for a set of this price; straight on the seatpost with one of the 3 rubber inserts, which have different diametres for different seatpost widths. The front fender is a bit on the naff side, it fits to the tube above the front wheel but the fittings are inadequate for thicker down tubes and I had use two zip ties fastened together to make it work. If you're okay bodging the front, which I was, then they're worth the £15 but don't pay any more.

Cheap pressure sprayer does the job!

 I’ve had a cheap pressure garden sprayer lurking about the garden for about a year.  It was bought to spray weedkiller about and that’s all it was used for. Today I was giving the road bike it’s much needed clean and was muttering to myself I could do with a pressure sprayer. Thing is we don’t have a tap at the back that’s suitable for one, so I thought of my little garden sprayer!  It works great!  It gets all the gunk out the bottom bracket, chainset, hubs and cassette and doesn’t have the same pressure that can damage your bearings. Excellent for the £2.00 I paid!

Cats! Meet Lola and Binx!

Lola and Binx

We have two cats, we got them after our other cat, Hollie McFeet, passed away due to a heart murmur.  We miss her, and my partner had never experienced the loss of a pet before so it hit her very hard.  Few weeks later we saw Lola and Binx on Facebook, and both were from the RSPCA.

Now, 3 years on, they're nothing but chaos, mither me relentlessly for the foods, or fud, or the doods, as it's known; they wake me up every morning at 3am!

Yes it's been a while, sorry but I'm here to rectify that!

I've been riding a lot lately, had a good couple years not even looking at a bike mostly due to illness of the mind and being busy too.  Picked myself up a second hand but barely used GT Sportive road bike.  Seller wanted $200 for it, bike new was $600, and he'd ridden it twice, seems he finds it too hard - not everyone can be next Gerard Thomas.

Summer was enjoyable, hard work but enjoyable.  I've found that I'm not as fit as I was when I started this blog, so it's a struggle.  I've been maintaining my efforts by using Strava, and whilst initially I rode against myself I find myself increasingly riding against others; and I get annoyed when people use e-bikes on Strava!  You're not achieving anything if you're using an e-bike, you're resting up the hills, I've seen it happening and it's frustrating - please if you're using Strava with your e-bike set it to e-bike, that's an option now.  Thanks!

Bought a handful of lights from Aldi, on their 2018 October cycle sale; they cost 2.99 each and turned out to be very good for the money.  I've paid out more for lighting and they've been crap compared to these.  One did have a slight hiccup with the light and went a little dull, but a quick twist of the case and it was fine.  

It's been a while, a long while but I'm back!

I'm now working, finally, after years of struggling and found a job I enjoy.  I'm also engaged, to a wonderful woman who understands my oddities.  Things have changed somewhat, I started self harming, which was a whole new experience.  I'm covered in scars on my arms and a few on my legs, war wounds from anxiety, stress, OCD, etc.  Managed to bring that under control and the two years of therapy, which isn't over, has made a difference.

Going to grab the app for Blogger and do more blogging.

Firestrike Nerf Gun Repaint

My first Nerf gun repaint.  3 bullets also painted to match the gun colourings.  Not gone for a special theme look, just added colours I liked.

Michelin Airstop A1

Michelin inner tubes - I've never been a fan of specific tubes, I just get the cheapest at the time and make do.  I got some of these Michelin Airstop A1 tubes, thinking a little bit more usually results in a better tube.  Wrong!  Maybe I got a faulty batch but on pumping one up to around 90PSI is exploded in the early hours waking me up.  I checked the following morning to see a rupture tear on the inside of the tube, not near the tyre wall or running surface but on the valve side.  I checked the rim of the wheel, fine, no splinters, visible spokes; I checked for debris in the tyre itself, nothing - clean.

I assumed it was just a faulty one, didn't worry about it and put in the other one.  Following day, about 12 hours after putting it in, not riding it at all, BANG!  The replacement pops too!  Same type of tear, different area, an outwards tear in the tube wall.

Is there any point contacting Michelin?  I doubt it, probably get no-where and the shop I bought them from (Geoff Smiths Cycle in Bolton) wouldn't replace them, and can't blame them to be honest.  Back to Decathlon and eBay for all my cycling needs.