Rituals

Cycling is full of rituals. Some have seasonal rites while others are more focussed on events. For me it's seasonal. Dialing the bikes was done years ago unless a new part walks in the house. This year it was handlebars and stems that were acquired at the swap and ebay. The previous season's handlebar tape was either tossed in the dustbin or recycled. Something as simple as a fresh wrap of Cinelli cork or Specialized Roubaix tape gives the ride that refreshing splash of cold water to the face. That was a couple of weeks ago.

My other ritual involves 3M Fast-tack adhesive or Continental Schlauchreifenkitt. A few tubes of either solidly adheres tires to rims until a puncture occurs. Since I prefer tubulars to clinchers I usually buy a can of both.

The assembly line that occurs when I mount tires is worth the price of admission. The tires are aired, pre-glued and cured in the driveway half a dozen at a time. Wheels are pre-glued in the TS-2 one at a time and stacked against the wall. Then they're mounted one at a time with care taken to center the tread and inspect for for digesting rodents. 3M's can be ridden that day, Conti's cure until the next day.