Various milestones were reached within the last few weeks, relating to year-ends, accountants and tax (nothing illegal, Your Honour!). The result of which was the implementation of the GFCL Cycle Away From Work Scheme. After much searching (and, I’m ashamed to say, I did create a spreadsheet of bikes I was looking at, components, wheels, groupsets, cost etc) I went to the lovely people at Dooleys Cycles in ma ain hame toon and after a few phone calls to the importer sourced the last remaining XL, 2008 Kuota Kharma, Ultegra with Spynergy Xaero Lite wheels (with white, carbon spokes – I nearly had an accident in my trousers when I saw them). Big Col witnessed the bike first hand in the shop & has the crusty tissues to prove it. If nothing else I will look good as I struggle up The Giant of Provence this summer. (Actually, the bike will look good – I suspect I will look like a sweating, wheezing fool who has bitten off more than he can chew.)

Having only briefly turbo’d with it, what I will say is that the Ultegra is smoooooooth – way smoother than the Dura-Ace which I have on Dale Cannon, which I thought was great. This just shows how the component companies constantly upgrade their products and I suspect that today’s 105 groupo is probably better than my 6-year old Dura-Ace. Oh, and the freewheel is mega-ultra-super-uber clicky – I may record it and listen to it on my iPod on repeat.

Now all I need is a dry day to take it out – well you don’t think I’m getting it wet do you?