Fixed

Last post on the Plug. So I flipped the hub around and rode it into work fixed. Strange to begin with, but ultimately I did like the feeling of being more in control, and just having to be more aware of your environment and the road ahead. Twice I found the pedal kicking my leg back up though - first when I realised I had to stop at the junction (and couldnt flip the pedal back to start again, and had to do a lame little walk to get going) and secondly when I was going to hop up a kerb, and out of habit started to coast..but couldnt found my back leg popping off again! Apart from those 2 little incidents I enjoyed it - not sure if I am converted yet to ride fully fixed, but I am definitely going to invest in a similar single speed bike. Probably the Plug racer, black frame and red chain does it for me.

Charge Spoon saddle

After having blasted home on Friday night in torrential rain, I can safely say the bikes brakes work well when wet! Unfortunately because of moving flat and things I didnt get to ride it over the weekend, so I only have more night to ride it. On the run in this morning, I had raised the saddle a little and the fit felt better - and faster. I love the Spoon saddle - have been riding this for a few months on my other bike and it is definitely a good balance between comfort and weight -plus of course here they look well fly in brown! The only thing I think I would change on this bike is the handlebars - I would probably put some straight ones on, not sure what kind of grips you would use though. Tonight I'll flip the hub and probably crash on my way to work tomorrow. Wish me luck. As an aside, here is my current favourite bike related video clip. Nuts.

Massan from MACAFRAMA on Vimeo.

Charge Plug Test ride

First in a series of posts, having got my hands on the 2010 Charge Plug..kindly donated by our friends at Evans Cycles.


I have been hankering after one of these for a while, been keen to see what the ride is like. After picking it up last night first job was to whip off the ugly plastic chain guard (why cover something so pleasing to the eye?), bells, reflector etc. All about the aesthetics. Second job was to think about whether to fix the hub or not, and decided I am not brave enough for that just yet.

Doesn't it look lovely?


This morning I took it along the seafront to work. First impression? Speed. Lovely. The feeling of not having to think about changing gears is great! Compared to my Stumpjumper this thing is very nimble. When the wind got up and pedalling became hard, I found my thumbs automatically looking for a gear lever. It really is quite liberating not thinking about which gear...but also quite tiring..so I think riding a single speed is going to be good for fitness, or tiredness depending on which way you look at it.

Anyway I really enjoyed the first ride, now need to be brave enough to turn the flip flop hub around, and ride it truly fixed. Save that for next time.

Randonee comes round again

So more training, though far less than previous years! Here is a nice shot taken by Mr Mayfield on short sprints after work around Shoreham and Stanmer park. Route map here.

Last shoot of the season

This year we decided to get a picture for posterity. It was a lovely sunny day, but turned very cold in the afternoon. My niece Velvet looking the part in the blue hat!

I am the worst blogger in the world

But who cares.

The first half of the year rocketed by as I spent most of my time living in Leeds, working on a secondment for a client. Tiring - but incredibly rewarding and I finished my time there loving what I do even more. Now the situation has changed somewhat, but we just have to see how it pans out. I hope all the friends I made in my time there are OK. They are a good bunch.

And other stuff I have mainly been trying to surf as much as possible - which included an epic incident where I managed to crease a brand new board, bang my head, rip my wetsuit and then crash my car - all on the same day..akk! Anyway..

Onwards to what spurred me to put up a post. A nice follow up to our Kilimanjaro climb (almost one year ago to the day!)

We received an email from Valerie Todd, the director of the home - they have finally built the playground which we helped to fund. Here it is - wicked! So good to see something that everyone at work contributed to finally there, and the kids are loving it according to Valerie.

Come on catch up

Well, high time I updated on various activities. It all went quiet after our epic Kilimanjaro climb..mainly because I wanted a bit of a break after the frantic fundraising and trip organising. But it was of course worth it. Never forget that.

Anyway, the cool things that have happened since then are:

- Spannerfest, the best rocking free party style rave any employer of mine ever organised. Long may it last. Especially memorable was the 'raffle' for the Killy climb prizes (we forgot to give away several prizes..eek!), the night time mountain bikers showing up half way through for a quick beer, and of course the 'special' state of every single spannerworker. Brilliant.

- I now have my own (rented) flat. Bliss. Worrying amount of R4 going on though, blamed on not having any other sort of entertainment previously for 2 months, sort of like being in the dark ages. But when the stereo speakers and panel TV were up and the broadband /cable switch was flicked..oh joy.

- My first shoot season was magic. Nothing beats those crisp winter mornings on the farm. It really relaxes me and I can forget about it all for a while. A bird or two is a bonus. I bagged my first duck on the last day of the season, and managed to donate a bird or two to friends. Memorable moment came in the form of shooting a pheasant..which then proceeded to land on a cows head. Poor old cow, got the shock of its life (same said for the pheasant I guess). Now its back to the work parties and getting the pens ready for next season. I still wont eat that crap they call chicken in a supermarket, but a bird that has led a free life is a million times better in my book. Plus these ones get a sporting chance. And they are wiley buggers by the end of the season. Good on them.

- More bike rides up on the downs with Jim, Dave and Jonny. Always a pleasure, even more so in the winter when the sun pops out. Been trying to get out as much as possible lately...as I am off to Whistler boarding for 2 weeks imminently and our friend out there Rupe tells me the legs better hold up. So bike riding and running are order of the day currently. Now that trip..I cannot wait for.


Lastly, the biggest change of them all. Spannerworks is no more. We are now officially iCrossing UK, digital agency supreme! On one hand, i am sad - Spannerworks brought me to Brighton and i will always intrinsically link this town to smiling Spannerworkers, new horizons, and distracting views of the sea behind Dean Harvey as he grilled me in the boardroom on my first nervous interview. But on the other hand..its all about the future. We are propelled 100mph out of the search pigeon hole..and become a connected digital marketing agency like no other. I had a wonderful session with a client recently where we told the story in a way we just couldnt before. The progression is so exciting. We are becoming the agency of the future. And that seals the deal for me.

ps Caroline 'Link Police' is that OK? :-)