Adventures in Middle Earth, or building a Rivendell

It was a cold day, only just wearing enough layers, and I didn't take any photos

Sorry, just saw this. Happy you're enjoying it!

It tell you what, after a few weeks of not getting out for a ride at all really and the general shittyness of the past week, getting out for a local jaunt to my favourite duck pond (complete with heron) has left me feeling all rosy and jolly. Finally some festive cheer.

Was having too much fun to take too many photos, but the Riv continues to bring me happiness, and yes, I have got matching tops for the water bottles.

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Real nice.

Been out more recently on the Riv. Made a decent stab of getting to Bognor on Saturday, but was defeated by a more off road section than anticipated coming off the back of Bignor Down. Fortunately I was close enough to my destination not to have to faff with puncture repair!

Few photos from earlier in the day, some from Hammersmith, Surrey Hills and NCN 22.

Absolutely beautiful day for a ride. Do wish I'd taken the mudguards off, but hey ho.

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Delightful

Very nice. One of my forum favourites.

glad you are enjoying it :)

IME the pleasure of riding without mudguards is vastly surpassed by the discomfort experienced when you go for a ride where should've had the refitted.

What are these discomforts you speak of?

Plus mudguards look awesome. Reason enough to leave them on.

Bike looks amazing by the way.

Bike looks thoroughly fantastic. With you on the guards. I have always felt like there are two kinds of cyclist; those that fit mudguards once and well and happily leave them alone vs those who feel encumbered by their very presence on each dry ride, thus remove them frequently and refit them hastily and badly when they need them. I am in the latter camp and I’m not proud of it. Truly a curse.

I'm very much in the latter camp, but also can't be arsed to remove them really. I'll stick with them for now. I'm sure it'll rain enough that I'll want them!

This is why having two very similar bikes is ideal. One with guards, one without.

I'm not sure I made myself clear.
I don't like to get soaked if I can help it, which is why I end up with mudguards on all my bikes.

I've also found that they help keep dust of the drivetrain in really dry conditions.

No, you were clear. I just can't read.

@PeteJChurchill does the different colour of the cages vs your finishing kit irk you at all? I bought a set, based on seeing yours in clever mike, and the colour is the only thing giving me pause

It does very slightly, but not enough for me to want to replace them. The design outweighs it for me. Plus, with the bottles in them, I don't see them that much.

I did weigh up attempting to strip the anodysing from them, but I'm both lacking in the skills and interest to do it really.

Happy to have inspired you though! They are a lovely touch.

This is an interesting idea... Other priorities for bikes first, but if the option for another Riv comes up, I might have to consider it.

Well, you just knew!
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