Oh we do like to be beside the sea-side

Not satisfied with one trip to the seaside, the Univega and I took an Easter Sunday solo saunter to Mersea Island. It was an opportunity to put some kit through its paces, have a ride, contemplate the faded state of its bar wrap and of course, life in general. This photo is taken at the spot where I was the only five year old on the class trip to get fully immersed and of course, demanding rescue while the tide was out!

 Upon my return, I rifled through my kit drawer and found some classic bike ribbon I’d squirreled away some years back. Red with black flecks…Or so I thought, as I wound it round the flared Nitto drops, finding myself involuntarily singing Manfred Man’s "Pretty Flamingo"- it was indeed flamingo pink with charcoal fade! A finish tailor made for Peugeot’s higher end 531 and 753 race bikes from the late 80s/early 90s. Hmm, a little “tarts handbag” perhaps but not totally unbecoming and unlike the matt red gel wrap it replaces, easily wiped clean using a damp cloth... Damn, it’s growing on me!