My MTB now only ever seems to see the roads, I use it regularly to cycle to work and that is about it. Its 15 miles to work so sometimes the thought of cycling 15 miles arriving all sweaty with no shower facilities and then doing a days work and of course cycling back can often be daunting. On the days when lazines gets the better of me there is always my motorbike. But I am trying to do my bit for our lovely enviroment so like I said my poor bike sees more of the roads than the woods. So I fitted a rack and panniers to carry all my bits and bobs. Cycling with a backpack on can get an awful lot more sweatier than without so this was my main reason for doing so. All of a sudden my nice alloy frame seems to be made of lead. I don't exactly look the part either, riding in a hoody and jeans or combats, I don't have any cycle wear at all, never had, probably never will, I am a cyclist and I don't need to wear the uniform to be one. Probably looks a bit odd to see someone dressed as I am racing down the road bunny hopping onto paths to escape traffic all with panniers bouncing madly. Luckilly the rack is only four screws to keep it on so it can be easily removed as soon as I decide the woods are calling. But I also get myself in a dilema with parts. I have access to loads of second hand cycle parts, all free. Mostly they are crap and are still attached to those bike Halfords are famous for selling for £70. So they aren't that good, but occasionally you'll see some good, like a set of Marzochi forks. And its then I wonder whether they are better than the sr suntours or the rockshox I also have lying around and I just can't make my mind up which ones to put on. I guess I could try them all and see which I prefer, but thats alot of untightening and tightening. Maybe I will.
Paul Clark 13
