Things That I Can No Longer Live Without #1

Arm Warmers

Basically a lycra tube that fits over your arm from just below the shoulder to your wrist. That's it. Nothing less and nothing more. Who would have thought such a garment would provide me with some of my most comfortable rides ever?  Coming into their own just as that crisp autumnal air makes it's presence felt, the trusty arm warmer becomes so integral to a days ride as tyres. Nothing beats that warm, cozy lower arm feeling. Nothing. I know that may seem strange given a world full of pleasure to be had at every corner, but if it was a choice between a string of dancing girls high on life and Cava or a lycra tube then I at least my arms will be warm as I wave goodbye ladies.

Three More From The Toolbox...

Three More From The Classic Southern Steels Toolbox...


90's Razesa

85' Raleigh Gran Sport

'79 Gazelle Champion Mondial

Wiggo

A belated return to the blog after, well, a year off! Jesus, where did that time go? I will be adding things on a much more regular basis from now on (yeah, right! -Ed) so please feel free to pop by whenever you feel like it. I am basically just taking this opportunity to say CHAPEAU WIGGO! on what was a remarkable achievement in winning the Tour De France last week. Admittedly it was helped a great deal by a Team Sky that resembled Manchester City playing in the Ryman League Northern Section but nonetheless a great achievement. Be interesting to see where it goes from here given Froome is chomping at the bit for that leaders role so we will have to see.

So here's to the Mod!

Two legends - Breeze and Repack!!

'92 Rocky Mountain Stratos

It may have taken a little longer than I had hoped but last week I finally finished the Rocky Mountain Stratos build. Dating for '92 I picked up the frame a few months back now and have been eager to get her built up and on the trails.  Essentially driven by a mixture of early 90's XT, a super nice Logic chainset, complemented by a smattering of Syncros and Rocky Mountain own bars and stem, I think she has a nice balance between purpose and style.

New Old School MTB Ready For The Summer....I Hope

As a retro-bike fiend sometimes you have surpass necessity, logic, and financial constraints and save these things from a life of retirement under a blanket in the back of someones garage and get them back on the trails were they belong... Meet the new buddy for my '85 Canyon, a '88 Giant Super Sierra in lovely black chrome.... she's a beaut (or will be when she's dressed with M730 XT!)...

www.retrobike.co.uk, my cyberspace second home...

If you have any interest whatsoever about 'older' bikes - whether that be MTB or road bikes - then a visit to www.retrobike.co.uk is certainly worthwhile.  Essentially a site for middle aged men like myself to indulge themselves in the sins of the steel, to rekindle unrequited showroom desires of yesterday, or indeed potter around in a huge online shed with a number of like-minded beings safe in the knowledge that a fetish for Shimano Deer Head rear mechs will be catered for and indeed celebrated, it's my second home.  Every month members are given the opportunity to show off their pride and joy (or the degrees in which they have slunk down the OCD road, if you will) in the 'Bike Of The Month' thread.  Basically a self congratulatory episode in any retro lovers life in which you grasp any 'nice bike' or 'loving those bear cages' comment as if spoken by the deity himself. This month I have put my beloved 30 quid find Claud Butler Canyon up for scrutiny so hoping to feel the benefits of a good ego massage very soon.  Go have a look at all the other fantastic machines in this month's poll. It will have you reaching for the Friday Ad in no time.