My quest to build Ultimate Turfing Bicycle No. 1, the Ribble CGR SL, is nearing completion. Or rather it was, until I came across something else that might be useful for turfing. In this instance, it’s the Alpkit Stingray custom frame bag. It probably isn’t the last item, as I suspect I’ll be going for a set of carbon wheels, same as the Sonder Broken Road, which are brilliant.
The bags are custom made with a choice of colours and fabrics along with a range of options such as opening types. One addition I would strongly suggest, especially if your frame bag is on the larger side, is a removable internal divider. This prevents the bag bulging too much when loaded and getting in the way of your pedalling. Attachment to the frame is with supplied Velcro straps. However, they will eventually rub through your paintwork, so if that’s something you care about, wrap some clear protective tape around the attachment points first.
On Ultimate Turfing Bicycle No. 2, the Sonder Broken Road, the quest also continues with the arrival of the mudguards. As I mentioned previously, the rear will fit just fine but my idea to use plastic cable ties at the front was a failure, they would not stay in place and slipped down onto the tyre. However, some careful thinking and bodging in the shed came up with the solution. Rubber-coated stainless-steel P-clips, of the type used for securing pipework.
I measured the circumference of the fork, calculated what the required diameter would be, in this instance 50 mm, and bought a pack of five on Amazon for a few pounds. I then wrapped one around the fork, shaped it into place and trimmed off the excess, drilling a bolt hole at the end. To create a fork bridge, I removed the rubber sleeve on another P-clip and shaped to the mudguard profile, them trimmed and drilled holes as above. To secure in place the bridge was bolted to the mudguard and everything was then bolted into place.
The next job on the Sonder is to install a set of Sonder Confucius loop-handlebars and loop-bar bag. Unfortunately, a cockup with the delivery address meant they were sent to an old work address, now sold on and I was unable to change the delivery initially. Will just have to wait and see what happens. And what happened was this. After two failed delivery attempts, I managed to add a redelivery to a local sorting office in Gilmerton and hoped that would be that. Fine, can pop across and collect.
However, Royal Mail tried another delivery and this time dumped the parcel in the garden of the address, sending me a rubbish photo stating it has been delivered. Not a term I’d use for a parcel dumped in full view of a public street. This was at 7:40 in the evening, so I jumped in the car and scooted across to Edinburgh, hoping it would still be there, or at least taken in my the occupier. And there it was lying behind a security fence at the address which was getting building work done. At last, I’ve finally got my stuff. Fitted in 20-minutes after all that annoying hassle.
Now, back to the Sonder Broken Road. Was out turfing along the River South Esk between Roslyn and Lasswade. It’s one of the most challenging routes to turf locally on a bicycle, in fact, some would say a stupid place to turf on a bicycle. One turfer even stated never again! To say the path here is difficult is an understatement. But there are about a dozen zones to take, so worth the while.
Yes, there are good sections but there are also extremely muddy sections, slippery narrow board walks across swampy ground and steep twisty precipitous slopes to negotiate. Add to that all the protruding rocks, slippery tree roots and concealed tree stumps under the drifts of Autumn leaves, and you will get the picture. Oh, I almost forgot, add some steps, lots and lots of them.
So, fair to say a difficult route to cycle but the setting is splendid. It’s a fantastic deep river valley with high sandstone cliffs, mature woodland and some amazing views. Just be careful not to fall into the river. It’s a long way down in places. Anyway, I was wearing a rucksack and when stopping for lunch at zone MavisBankHse, realised my back was soaking wet with sweat. Oh, how I hate that feeling. I guess moisture just cannot escape because the rucksack is in the way. And the solution? I’ve ordered another Stingray frame bag from Alpkit.
Now, to finish. One of the problems of turfing on a bicycle in Edinburgh is when you require a call of nature, Okay, all well and fine if you can find a public toilet, have a lock for your bike and are brave enough to leave you expensive and cherished steed alone and unattended. But what if this isn’t the case, what do you do. Well, here’s the answer. The 6P’s. Which stands for: Proper Piddle Planning Prevents Piddling Predicaments.
You will not have come across this little mantra mainly because I made it up on this trip while desperately searching for a PP, Piddle Point. Thankfully, I’ve always managed to found one and always with much relief, in more ways than one. In essence, 6P’s simply means, go before you leave, go when the opportunity arises and go before you desperately need to go. You get the flow?
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