Alan cross bike

Bought this bike from a friend of mine about a year ago with the intention of just using the parts, it was in a sorry state with a lot of the paint peeling off, on closer inspection the aluminium underneath was in good shape, so decided to rebuild it instead.

I sent the frame off to be enameled www.armourtexltd.co.uk, in the meantime I got lots of new bits on Ebay, I wanted to put mudguards on this bike but needed to keep the weight down as it was up around the 20Ib mark already.

Decided to try some new Crud Roadracer guards, www.crudproducts.com/products/roadracer these are designed for bikes with virtually no clearances - this being a cyclocross bike my problem was the total opposite - this was solved by using some car radiator hose to bring the guard closer to the wheel.

All in all I’m really pleased with the way it turned out, it should make a cracking winter/café bike.

Sharpie helmet

After a four year lay off I’ve finally started drawing again, what inspired me to start over was the ‘Sharpie’ marker drawings I had seen on the net - a whole car covered in one case - motorcycles and crash helmets, not to mention numerous graffiti sites.
The ink in these markers makes them feel more like paint, but be sure to buy the more industrial type of pens as the normal felt tip versions that are sold in stationary shops are more suitable for writing and drawing on paper.

So, you will need Sharpie Professional or Rub-a-Dub (writes on laundry), have a go it’s good fun. www.penfountain.co.uk