My little toe breakage has resulted in 3 (long) weeks off the saddle (and counting), though I have snuck in some e-bike rides to get Huesos out and for my own sanity (don’t tell my doctor). Today, however, I went out for a mellow loop on the Jones LWB, using leg-power alone!

Here are some photos, just because it felt wonderful to get out, and feel that I’m finally on track to riding again. Emma was aboard the e-bike with Huesos and I took the LWB Spaceframe, revelling with renewed appreciation at its lightness, comfort and simplicity. It’s my first acoustic ride since my mishap, so even though it was just a handful of kilometres… it felt extra good. If nothing else, this enforced separation from 2 wheel travel has helped me appreciate how much I enjoy it all the more (not that I needed that, really).

Also, this is the first time that riding an e-bike has been a necessity rather than a choice, further underlining how that crossroad between pure muscle/sinew and electrons can be transformational for cyclists and non-cyclists alike. Without the e-bike, I’d be shuffling around town uncomfortably in my special broken-toe sandal. With the e-bike, I’ve been able to scoot around more gracefully, especially as mine has a throttle as well as pedal assist to get it going.

It’s always a treat to see Huesos in the trailer, and the reaction it elicits from passers-by. I like to think it puts everyone into a good mood.

It only took a few weeks without riding it… to fall back in love with the Jones LWB Spaceframe. My Bike For Life?

Playing around with black and whites on the Fuji XT-2 and the budget TTArtisan 27mm lens. This equates to 40mm in full frame terms, which is my favourite focal length.

Seeing Mason off with a ride out to the nearby village of Huayapam for a jicara of tejate, before he heads back to the US.

E-assist aside, I’ve been feeling the urge to move away from bikes laden with new tech, and thinking more about bikes that are built up with parts that should outlive me (and if they don’t, ones that can be reinvented or recycled at the end of their working lives). In short, the kind of bikes that do not require a wall of specialist tools to work on. In my current state of mind, I think it’s a useful mental exercise for considering new purchases or acquisitions.

For instance, I’m particularly excited to have the opportunity to be testing Shimano’s all-steel Linkglide cassette for bikepacking.com, which uses the older HG freehub, of which there are a bazillion existence. It’s touted as being three times more durable than the ‘higher-performing’ Hyperglide XT cassette, and its 4 smallest sprockets can be interchanged when they wear out (though the rest is rivetted). Yes, it’s:

• a bit heavier
• there’s a gear less to choose from, compared to the latest drivetrains
• not as Swiss-clock-like in its shifting

But I mean, how many gears are enough, and how crisp does shifting really need to be to have fun on a bike?

Unfortunately, Linkglide is only forward compatible with Shimano Cues, the upcoming range of more durable and e-bike-friendly road/mountain bike groupsets. For this reason, I’d like to try the cassette with a modern, long throw friction shifter, like Rivendell’s Silver2 (which is based around SunTour’s 1982 XC mountain bike thumb shifter), as it allows the cassette to play with legacy derailleurs too.

Perhaps an easily serviced friction shifter, a highly durable cassette, and a cross-brand derailleur would make the ideal affordable, wide-range, long-distance bikepacking drivetrain…

Here’s some interesting reading and watching:

Shimano Inadvertently Upgrades Friction Shifting

The Last Shifter You’ll Ever Have to Buy

Partially related, I found this a fascinating watch too:

The Small Company Saving the Simple Bicycle

Shimano’s XT Linkglide groupset. I intend to try it out with a friction shifter to allow more compatibility with legacy parts.

On a similar note, here are a couple of very detailed and interesting posts that can make for some uncomfortable reading! The latter brings up some interesting points and whilst I don’t agree with them all, they’re definitely worthy of more thought.

• Thoughts Around Sustainability in Everyday Cycling

• Can We Make Bicycles Sustainable Again?

In other news, I posted a review on the excellent Duro Crux tires (grippy, relatively fast-rolling, and durable!) and a piece on Mason and his Bianchi, which has been popping up on this blog recently. Mason’s setup is a good reminder that whilst it’s easy to be swept up in the latest and greatest, there’s value to stepping back and enjoying the bicycle you’re riding, imbuing it with even more personal connection and meaning on every ride.

• REVIEW: NEW DURO CRUX 29 X 3.25″ AND 27.5 X 3.25″ TIRES
• MASON AND HIS 90S BIANCHI BASKET BIKE

Mason and his (mum’s) Bianchi, on a campout up in the Sierra Norte. Old steel bikes never die. They’re just reborn!

Duro Crux 29 x 3.25″ and 27 x 3.25″. Long live Plus bikes!

It’s been so hothothot in the city that we get out and ride early, then collapse on the concrete floor of the apartment and wait for it to cool down…

The LWB HD/e has been getting a lot of use over the last 3 weeks. Without it, I’d be shuffling slowly and awkwardly around the streets…

Breakfast is Served

Oh yes, Huesos wanted to share his latest mix. He’s been getting into Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan recently, and has been playing Asian drum and bass on repeat.

Thanks for reading!