Welcome to Scottie!

My "New" Bike, Scottie. 

 The first part of the week is best described by my pal Simon:-

Simon Turner
28 January at 11:41

Bryce Mansfield joins the veteran cyclists following with his recently acquired 1946 F H Scott from the estate of the late Bob West. Bryce asked me to 'look over' his new acquisition but of course for me I couldn't stop at just that so I conducted a full 'sympathetic' restoration believing at first this was a prewar bike as the wheels are certainly 1935 (the SA two speed fixed being stamped TF5). The frame number had the leading character '46' - I have a 1949 F H Scott and my frame number begins 49XXX. The Williams cranks were stamped AI for 1946 and the GB brakes were the very first made in 46 i,e, without the stamped Hidiminium on the arms. Most work was in the mudguards those on the bike the rear was made up of at least 10 patches of different guards!! I did save the early reflector and swapped it with that on the replacement Feather Weights, I also cut the spearpoint on the front guard and hand made the QR special bolts (stainless) and brass wingnuts. 82 years of age had taken their toll on the chrome on the Dunlop Special Lightweight rims (26 x 1 1/4) - front came up OK the back I clear lacquered to prevent rusting. Add appropriate wingnuts all round, stripped and re black enamelled the very rare two speed SA level and cable roller (they were painted red!).
As I had added wingnuts to the front Solite hub I decided to make a clip to mount the milometer on the fork blade rather than it drop to the ground every time the wheel was removed. The bar stem was bent and the brake levers had wildly different curvatures! I chunked the modern cork tape glued over the entire handlebars and levers, removed all the scratches from both and polished up recovered in red cloth tape. The saddle is a pre 53 'Oval' Brook B17 Narrow - it had a nickel Brooks clamp in bad condition but I manage to make one good one out of 3 I had. Those going to the VCC Fishbourne ride in March will see Bryce and the bike as well as my 49 F H Scott. We both hope the weather is warm enough to wear our Welsh RED DRAGON jerseys as all F H Scott frame were the 'Dragon' model as Mr Scott's wife (like my own wife) was named Sarah and came from Wales so adopted the Welsh Red Dragon on the head and seat tube badges.

I did help a little, spending four hours removing rust from the rims which are nearly as old as me! I used Brillo pads and another type of kitchen scourer.

The pictures on the left are before, those on the right after refurbishment. The main noticeable changes are: 1. We have dispensed with the scruffy frame and saddle bag. Neither of them period correct anyway. 2. Replacement brake cable covers and handlebar tape. 3. Correct painting of the gear change mechanism. 4. Those very tatty mudguards replaced 5 Beautifully shined bell. 6 Rust has been largely removed from the rims.

As you can see from Simon's very detailed description he has done a magnificent job, a true labour of love! I am over the moon with the result and having ridden Scottie for just over a mile, I am looking forward to a longer ride on him. Very many thanks Simon.

Saturday 28th January 2017.

Groupetta Ride to Lasham for Lunch.

A modest week of actual cycling but one of great interest to enthusiasts!

Gridironman.

Spring is coming!

It has been a bit of odd week for me. A couple of good rides with my pal Cycmon, also PinkPal on one of them. Had planned to ride today, Saturday 21st January, but got very cold in the night and woke feeling awful. Decided it was best to stay in the warm and went back to bed until mid morning. Since then I have perked up and done a few chores including a short walk into town for a couple of items. Tomorrow I have family commitments so won't be riding then. So here is the details of my cycling week.

Monday 16th January 2017.

Despite the colder weather of the last few days I have evidence that spring is coming. The first snowdrops are out in my garden!

Although I did not cycle on Monday, it was a special day. I went to see Sue West along with Bob Damper to discuss the disposition of the late Bob's many cycles. Sue very kindly gave me a 1930s F.H. Scott. I carried it home on the roof of my car and took it straight round to Cycmon's to get his first impressions of it.

Over the next few weeks he is going to help (?) me check it over and give it a little TLC. I suspect it will be Cycmon doing most of the work! I hope to ride it to a Veteran Cycles Club meet in March.

The "new" bike. What do I call him? Scottie?

Tuesday 17th January 2017.

Spring can't be far away 2. Both Cycmon and Pinkpal came out of hibernation to join me for a gentle Alresford Groupetta ride to Bishops Waltham and back. A modest 30 miles.

I am pleased to say they both did well and are beginning to get back into form. The bad news for me is that when they are back to full fitness I shall once more be trailing on the hills instead of leading as I did up Ashton Lane, setting my second best time ever for that climb.

Whilst in Bishops Waltham we had a coffee before searching for the site of an 1905 bike shop in the Avenue.  See pictures below.

The original Bike shop.

Is this it today?

This is the results of our search. I am not sure that this is the same structure. This is Cycmon's report:

Getting back on the bikes now, Saturday joined the CTC Oops - Cycling UK Easy Ride: well I hadn't ridden for 3 months following the Hernia Op. That was 30 miles, Tuesday was another 30 miles - a ride of discovery to seek out a Cycle Shop in The Avenue Bishops Waltham from a photo taken in 1905. Pretty sure we found the corrugated roofed shack - now much modified.

Thursday 19th January 2017.

As Simon had an earlier appointment it was gone 11.30 a.m. before we set off to join the Fellowship meet in Twyford. Here is Cycmon's report:

Today 27 miles to the Cycling Fellowship Pub meet at Twyford. Bob Damper had one of Bob West bikes there - a 1933 Higgins Ultralite but with much later 50-60s components (see photo). Bryce also now has his own vintage bike again one of Bob West's a F H Scott of Ealing circa 1937-9 with much period correct equipment - a nice touch on this machine is the Sturmey 2 speed fixed (although it has a BSA freewheel sprocket on it) - also the later period RRA pedals! Well I should do over the 'ton' this week if the weather's OK for 50 plus miles on Saturday.

GRIDIRONMAN.

Very Variable Weather modifies riding plans.

Tuesday 10th January 2017.

Winchester CTC ride to Brambridge G.C.

Rode alone to Winchester where I joined 14 other riders for Martyn's ride to Brambridge G.C. for coffee. Present were: Martyn, Steve, Ken E., Eileen, John, Roy, Sam, Margaret, Sarah, Cliff, Jane, Linda and two others. One lady whose name I can't remember and one other. Please tell me if you know who I've missed! As we left the city we were joined by two more, Rob & Caroline, and yet another, Ken G. at the cafe. Margaret left us after Coffee so there were still 17 of us in the peleton. Rather a large number to manage on the busier roads. We did try to mitigate the problem by leaving gaps, but it is not always easy. 
Martyn took us to Farley Mount via Hursley and Standon. From here several riders took the short route back to Winchester whilst the rest of us took a loop to the west via Ashe to Little Somborne, Ken E. left us here. I found I was struggling to keep up now as I was getting tired & I don't seem to have the speed I had only a short while ago. Sporty is definitely slower than either Posh or Paris. Near Crawley the road was closed while the road is being repaired but we managed to squeeze past a large truck unloading asphalt.
We shed more riders in Headbourne Worthy and in the city but as 8 of us arrived at the pub we were joined by Julie and Andrew who had done their own ride to Overton.
After an excellent two course lunch enlivened by plenty of chat I headed home feeling very happy with the day, clocking up a total of 44+ miles.

Wednesday 11th January 2017. 

Took Paris to Newbury.

I had been having a clicking noise coming from the pedal/bottom bracket area of Paris and arranged for it to be investigated under warranty at the Specialized Concept Store.

I met horrendous grid lock in Newbury Town centre but eventually managed to get to the store just after 9 o'clock. Whilst the problem was being investigated I wandered around the town, making a few purchases at Aldi who had some nice sports clothing. The phone rang and it was the Store to inform me the job had been done. It was still not 10 o'clock! After I had collected Paris I did some more shopping and filled up with petrol at Sainsbury's. I was still home in time for a one o'clock lunch. A good morning result. After lunch I washed the car!

Thursday 12th January 2017.

A Short Wet Circuit to Milbury's and back.

I had intended to join the HCMF meet at The Crown, Kings Somborne but the forecast was for rain, snow and high winds so at 9.30 I set off for a short ride on Paris to check whether the fault had been fixed. I am glad to say it has been. Apparently it was the bottom bracket making the noise. The rain started almost as soon as I'd left the house and as it was quite light I carried on. It got gradually heavier as I rode and by the time I had completed the circuit I was pretty wet and muddy as Paris has no mudguards. Nevertheless Simon welcomed me with a hot coffee when I called at his, even putting Paris in the kitchen with my rain jacket to dry off. We had a lovely chat for nearly an hour before I headed home to wash, 1. Paris, 2. My kit, 3 Myself.

Saturday 14th January 2017. 

Alresford Groupetta join the Winchester CTC.

I agreed with Simon to join the Debs's afternoon ride with the Winchester CTC and he arrived at my home 5 minutes early. Such keenness! Just as well that we were early leaving Alresford as within half a mile a loud pop from Simon's front wheel meant a change of inner tube. I sped on to alert Debs that Simon was coming and he actually arrived at the meeting place just before 9.30. 

Here is my route with data for the day:

From this you can see we rode about 7.5 miles from my home to the start then about 9 miles with the CTC before about 11.5 miles back to Alresford. 
There were about a dozen of us riding including several who I had not met before including Robert from Alresford who was riding with the CTC for the first time. (Welcome Robert).
Debs, being uncertain of the state of the roads due to the recent adverse weather, had chosen to stick to the more well used roads, fortunately this did not cause any major problems and on the whole motorists were very helpful in assisting our passage out of the city.
I am afraid I led Simon astray, when we got to Stoke Charity I suggested that we took an alternative route back to Alresford to avoid "that road we all love to hate" to Kings Worthy and then the B3047. Whilst this was not part of a cunning plan in the event it soon found us warming ourselves in The Northbrook Arms by a lovely log fire whilst supping a choice of ales. Mine was Butcombe Bitter, one that used to be a favourite when I lived in Somerset.
From here home Simon was beginning to suffer from his recent absence from the saddle and suffer from the "burn". For once it was me having to wait at the top of hills! Well done Simon a great effort.
For me this was a much better week overall but I still have only ridden 126 miles this year so far, well below my target of 160 (80 miles per week). However it has been fun both riding and socially.

Gridironman.

A low key start to 2017.

5th January 2017.

First HCMF Meet.

A cold and frosty start to the day and the frost lasted all day in the shade. As a result I postponed my start until after 11 to avoid any icy patches. A fair number of the others had done so too but there were a good number of riders there considering the conditions. Some had come by car too so we did have another good social gathering. I had delicious fish and chips with mushy peas. The portions were so big I only just managed it.

I had opted to ride Paris for a change as the roads were dry and I soon realised her potential getting to the pub in well under the hour. However, I don't think I would be much match for the 105 year old who has just set some astonishing new records.

I was glad I had worn my cap, as the sun was so low and in my face over the last few miles from Totford to Home. 
Not many other cyclists on Strava Flybys today. Bob being the only other one at our lunch.

Sunday 8th January 2017.

Helping with the Check In of the Watership Down.

I decided not to ride this event this year but to help instead. My task was to assist with checking in the finishers. We recorded their time of finishing and checked their brevets were completed and signed. We also took orders for finishing badges and medals. 

I rode to the start in a fine drizzle thinking I was glad I'd not ridden the event. Business was quiet at first but around three o'clock the bulk of the riders started arriving. There were about 160 entries in total but about 25 had decided not to start. I have not heard how many completed the course, but I know there were some who did not finish.The majority of riders seemed to have enjoyed the ride despite the drizzly and wet conditions. Many of them were pretty well plastered with muddy spray but a few seemed remarkably clean. I guess a lot depended on who had been wheel sucking and who had been using mudguards!

I knew quite a number of the riders from a number of different clubs, so it was nice to be able to greet them personally.

By four o'clock we were down to about 25 riders still to come. They trickled in over the next hour and just before 5 with only a few riders left unaccounted I decided to head home. 

My first ride in the dark for a very long time. I found my headlight was excellent giving me clear view for 25 yards ahead and having enough power to reflect of the cats-eyes and road signs. It was raining gently but I did not get my jeans too wet and my cycling top kept my other ordinary clothes dry.

I enjoyed the experience of helping and was pleased I had opted to ride almost 12 miles. Interestingly, according to my Garmin I appeared to have ridden a tenth of a mile less coming home than going on exactly the same route! I was much slower too, why was that, only a little more climbing, not enough to cause that much difference. See my Map and Data here:

Gridiroman.