17 Jun 2016: What state are we in?

(1) Progress is on schedule: today’s 50 miles takes the total to 336 – a third of the total.

(2) Fundraising is going well: £2,448.15 so far – amazing generosity from so many people.

(3) I’m going a little less well. My sore throat has turned into an unpleasant chest infection, but I hope that will clear up soon. My dodgy knee, creaky neck and RSI-affected wrist make their presence felt, but no more than usual. (Non-cyclists often ask me coyly about problems in the “saddle area”, but that’s never been a problem – a good saddle, the right clothing and, if needed, a wonderful product called Sudocrem prevent that.)

(4) The bike is doing OK. Bits threaten to drop off now and again and need tightening up, but nothing has actually broken except for the chain. The one worry at present is that the headset has loosened a little and readjustment needs two big spanners, which I don’t have with me. For non-cyclists: the headset is the pair of bearings that allow the front forks to turn within the head tube of the frame. If they come loose, handling and braking are impaired. The bike started a scary “shimmy” today coming down a 17% descent on a rough surface, which probably wasn’t helped by the play in the headset. (If it ever happens to you on a bike, the solution is to grip the top tube with your knees to dampen the oscillation and use the back brake only.) I should be able to fix the headset at tomorrow’s stop in Stone.

2 comments on “17 Jun 2016: What state are we in?”

1. Heather

   June 18, 2016

   

   Hi Steve, just saw you are alone now and the wind and rain have probably not helped. Good old English summer. Happy belated 65th! Hang in there and keep those wheels turning, blog is great. Take care. Heather

   LikeLike
2. Steve Pudney

   June 19, 2016

   

   Still alive (just) and grinding on. Not too bad – only averaging one soaking a day, and almost 400 miles covered now

   LikeLike

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