31.08.2024 Nobody knows the troubles I've had...

 ~o~

  Saturday 31st 53F/12C. Bright and mostly sunny forecast. Peaking at 19C/68F. 

 Up at 7.30 after drifting away from earlier failures to lift off.

 What to do with today? I ought to fit the new stem but it means removing lots of stuff. To allow it to fit over the handlebars. Not helped by all the cables dangling everywhere. The handlebar clamp on the new stem is a removable plate. 

 However, the Bosch Nyon designer wanted to completely dominate the handlebars. So that they earned their reserved parking spot for their second Porsche. By using a massive bracket which would support a truck! Then there is the equally massive bracket on the headlight and horn. They only had one job to do and both failed miserably.

 This all meant the headlight bracket had to be moved outboard of the Bosch bracket on the left. Except that the handlebars shrink rapidly beyond their maximum diameter in the centre. So the headlight bracket is now struggling for purchase. While the Bosch bracket is offset to the right.

 To make matters worse I have given away my lifetime collection of cycling stuff. So I had not a single spacer for the fork steerer tube. I spent ages searching the shed in vain. In the end I had to dismantle the Trykit stem and borrow one of its precious spacers. Not that I have ridden the trike in ages. I'll have to order a pack of spacers. Just in case I need a transport backup for local shopping. 

 I keep thinking I should convert the Trykit to straight handlebars but where to start? Dropped bars with Campag Ergo/Shimano 2x11 speed, hybrid gears are unusable on straight bars. 

 So, that means new handlebars, MTB[?] brake levers, gear levers, gear changers, stem, brake cables, gear cables, cassette, chain. Normal pedals in place of the SPDs. They'll never unscrew after all these years. So throw in a new chainset and cranks. Which saddle? How often would I ride it?

10.15. 60F/16C. I am finally mobile again. Feeling dizzy from twisting my neck to look upwards at invisible screws. I was too busy for morning coffee. Or a walk. Tut-tut.

 11.00 I should go shopping. Starvation is so "yesterday."

 12.45 65F/18C. Returning from a 20km ride to the next village. It was surprisingly cool. With my eyes streaming at times behind my wrap around sunglasses. I came home with only half the items on my list. Due to a lack of stock. 

 The new stem gave me a more "purposeful" stance on the e-bike. Rather than the fully relaxed, hands merely resting on the swept back handlebars, of before. My hands and wrists weren't overloaded. Though the distance covered was relatively minor. Only a longer ride will confirm whether the change was worthwhile.

15.30 I rode the long way to the village for more shopping. Another 17km. My reflection in the empty shop windows showed I was hardly leaning forwards at all.

Bosch Connect is bragging about improved services. Bosch Connect hasn't Synched since the middle of last month! It won't connect to my mobile phone! I finally managed to Synch after a quarter of an hour of trying repeatedly. Far too many Porsches in Bosch car parking? Causing a traffic jam so they can't get to work? Thought so.

 

  ~o~