68. Gear

In theory you could run barefoot, but you will probably want some trainers. Which ones? Neutral or stability? Are HOKAs still in fashion or had you better buy NIKE Alphafly with their unique carbon fibre plate for energy transfer?

What about the sports watch, running socks, chafe free undies, waterproof jacket with ventilation, heart rate monitor, and hydration pack? In the interests of commerce, this list never ends.

Sorry it has been a while since I last wrote. I have been fixing some gear. The most time-consuming project has been renovating my Dad’s Allin bike and as a result I can tell you a lot more about bikes (than you might want to know).

My intention was to change the gear levers on the downtube to shifters integrated with the brake levers on the handlebars and prepare it for a career on gravel.

I didn’t really know where to start so I headed for Rik’s Bikes that I mentioned in the last post. Rik is an affable Dutch guy (who apparently also writes his own songs and performs with a guitar). His small shop is always busy, but I left the bike with him for a few days while he came up with a plan. When I picked it up again, he kept the rear wheel to fit an eight speed freewheel and adjust the spokes to allow for the extra space they would take, as previously it had only five sprockets. I left with the rest of the bike and a box of cables, derailleurs, cranks and handlebar tape.

I must have been in my teens last time I carried out this much cycle maintenance, and there were many tasks I had never tried, but, although progress was slow, it was successful and I learned so much. Don’t leave things on the floor because you will trip over them. Do put the tools back where you got them from because otherwise you will spend more time searching for them than using them.

I removed the wheels, mudguards, handlebar tape, chain, chain set and bottom bracket, complete with ball bearings. Dad’s old tools may be dusty but he had one for every job.

Much of the time was spent ordering something online, waiting for it to be delivered, then returning it and ordering a different size. Some things (in particular the bottom bracket) are just not advertised with sufficient detail about the dimensions. The rest of the time was spent thinking and checking how to do things on YouTube.

—oOo—

In terms of its provenance, I found a couple of receipts. Dad took it to Les Rigden in the Lanes in Brighton to add some lugs and respray it in yellow. That receipt mentions the serial number 2175 which, according to this article about Allin Cycles dates it’s construction probably to 1973. (I can’t find the serial number on the frame, it must be under the paintwork.)

I think he bought it second-hand because this continuation page for the receipt talks about making adjustments including “new Head Set and refit the fixed cup”. It needed yet another new headset in my refurbishment as the handlebars juddered.

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As a break from cycle maintenance, I moved on to fixing more gear in the kitchen, when both the microwave and the oven element gave up on us in the same week.

Thank goodness my son Chris was available to help with the microwave. Having removed the old one, the new one, which was supposed to be the same size, would not fit, proving to be 4mm too tall. I was considering the options of cutting into the granite worktop or sawing off the legs, until Chris spotted that we could lower the shelf by laying on the ground and reaching in, in an uncomfortable position, to unscrew the supports. It took four hours, but I saved the £100 it would have cost to have it done by an expert.

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On medical matters, my consultant confirmed that I am in full remission at the moment, with no sign of the cancerous paraprotein cells in my blood. I have a full body MRI scan booked for September and I hope to be given plenty of details about the condition of my bones. Next month I will resume the Zoledronic Acid infusions to strengthen them, now that my dental work has been completed with crowns all in place.

September 19^th is my first re-Birthday, a year on from my Stem Cell Transplant, on the occasion of which I will start a course of immunisations, just like a newborn baby, making up for those that were wiped out by the transplant. There will be three sets administered monthly and another a year later.

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Ask Sue how I am and she will say that I am “going out to play” a lot. I have been joining the walking group from the running club and helping with parkrun on Saturday mornings.

I have cycled to Barcombe and to Slinfold, each a route of more than 30 miles, as well as the ride along the Downslink (illustrated at the start). On a trip to London I walked all day and accumulated 33,000 steps (after which my legs ached, for some reason).

With the camera club I went to take some shots of Brighton Pride and of some butterflies in the local Green Circle.

My physiotherapist at the hospital has given me exercises to build up my strength in preparation for running again, mainly jumps landing on both feet (e.g. Spotty Dog, if you know that one) so I don’t overdo it on my right leg.

I completed an NHS Cancer Quality of Life Survey and across the board I am doing better than most of the general public. I feel I’m catching up after the last couple of years.

Thanks for reading and take care!