I’ve had a pretty good spell since my last blog.
I got the waterproof trousers and a yellow warning for rain off the Met Office, so a solid test. On the way home, through rain, constant spray, and puddle splash on the motorway the only issue was my socks got a wet patch on the top. So my boots, combat high, aren’t fully waterproof. Oh, and my helmet needs replacing. The padding has gone, so it falls down over my eyes a bit, moving the de-mist visor insert too low. I had to ride with my head tilted back. Always something.
Then I had the local half marathon. I jogged the 2 miles there, and was well early (3 minutes to off) but oddly the starting pens were already full. I had to start behind the 2.10 pacer. There were about 1,700 people starting (half and 10k) and I must have been behind about 1,500 of them. It took me 6 minutes from the start gun to cross the start line. So the first 4 or 5 miles I was battling through tightly packed slow people. I was holding a 7.45ish pace which I thought was reasonable for my fitness. I picked two people who seemed to be holding a good pace for me as markers and stuck with them. At about 6 miles, up the hills around Appleton, they dropped to an 8 m/m pace. I thought I had more in the tank so I went for a neg split. I was doing 7.30 even with the hills. By 9 miles I knew I had enough left to make it, so I went for it. I threw in two sub 7s and then on the last miles, into the wind I held 7.05. I think that’s the first time I’ve ever been miffed with myself for going out too slow. Usually I go too fast and blow up. That was a real surprise. I can only think it’s the beasting on MyWhoosh (cycling app) that have toughened my legs and improved my stamina. It’s a big boost for my sub 3 aspirations. That’s why I set off at such a modest pace, I didn’t think I had any more over the distance. I’m going to try again, a solo, flat-out half, to see where I am.
I got my eyes tested and got a new set of glasses. I’m not so sure of the varifocal split (too much middle/ reader, not enough distance), but at least I’m rid of that annoying scratch, finally.
I’ve seen a video on YouTube (got to wonder how many disaster stories start with that) on how to get professional respray results using spray cans. I had a plate on the front of the Triumph that I was meaning to respray anyway, so I’m using it as a proof of concept experiment. If I like the results I can scale it up and do the Harley. That would be cool. I’ve done what the video said, which is to grind it down, sandpaper it, thin undercoat, twice, multiple thin layers of paint, (I only had engine black which needed curing at temperature so I had to cook it in the oven) then layers of clear coat. I’m at the ‘leave for 24 hours’ stage, then wet sandpaper it really smooth, then polish. I did not know about the last two steps. So far, the paint itself is looking good, but upon close inspection you can see all pitting. That’s the preparation. Lesson learned. If I can upscale it to the Harley I will have all the time in the world to make a proper job of it. It’s whether the paint finish looks pro that’s being tested here.
While I was killing time waiting for layers to dry I fitted the LED headlight in the Harley. Fiddly but straightforward job, and the headlight fitted straight in! Yay! The cheap Chinese one was too big. I also fitted the new mirrors in the holes where they are supposed to go. The bolt at the bottom of them was long enough for me to be able to attach my indicators. Fantastic! I thought I was going to have to buy new indicators as well. I’ve taken off the bar end mirrors (which kept swiveling around however much I tightened/ glued/ etc them). It really is getting to look like a useable bike. I’ve ordered some new grips (I butchered the old one to fit the bar end mirrors). The old ones were, well, old and shot anyway. I was searching forums trying to find the exact specs needed for a shorter brake line (now I have lower handlebars). Someone had done exactly as I, fitted lower bars, had an S shape in the excess brake line, wanted to know what size to fit. The replies were “I’ve had an S in mine for 30,000ks don’t worry about it.” Huh. That was easy.