post: journal entry week starting 10 February

docs/posts/2025/february/10.md

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+---
+title: First glimpse of Spring
+date:
+  created: 2025-02-10
+  updated: 2025-02-14
+authors:
+  - practicalli
+categories:
+  - practicalli
+tags:
+  - cycling
+  - bicycle-maintenance
+  - finances
+draft: false
+---
+
+A sunny day at the end of the week inspired me to get out on my road bike, doing some [important bike maintenance](#cycling)
+
+April is the start of a new tax year in the UK so time for a [personal financial review](#finances).
+
+This weeks digital music organisation included [The Cranberries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cranberries), an excellent Irish rock band.
+
+![Ribble Endurance SL Disc road bicycle](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/39/2019/05/DSC_6888-2827ed4-e1568023172553.jpg){loading=lazy}
+
+
+<!-- more -->
+
+
+## Finances
+
+Its that time of the year to review my tax position for the 2024-25 tax year.  I earned sufficient to pay tax in the highest band, so I am reviewing if I need to increase my personal pension contributions to offset the tax paid for the year.
+
+I should review the performance of the respective pension pots to see which have performed well.  I have several pensions which have sustainable investment portfolios.
+
+For the UK state pension I need 6 more years of National Insurance contributions to qualify for the full weekly allowance.  I may be able to pay to make 2019-20 a qualifying year when I worked self-employed.
+
+
+## Cycling
+
+I have a [Ribble Endurance SL Disc road bike](https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-endurance-sl-disc/?colour=red) for long distance rides and navigating the very large hills of the North Downs in Kent.  I've done covered many thousands of kilometers since the last bike maintenance (new cassette and chain), so before I start riding again its time to do more maintenance.
+
+[:fontawesome-brands-youtube: Trace Vello recommends the SRAM PC 1110 11-speed chain](https://youtu.be/6I3iTMjmQKI?si=uBikbqXtPQyWwhVT&t=578) which is available at a very reasonable price from [Sigma Sports (12 GBP)](https://www.sigmasports.com/item/SRAM/PC-1110-11-Speed-Chain-with-Powerlock/I5VU).
+
+GNC recommended the Park Tool Chain Checker to assess the wear of a chain.  Measuring my chain it had a good amount of wear so was ready to be replaced (hopefully it hasnt worn the cassette).
+
+Removing the worn chain with a [:globe_with_meridians: Park tool quick link pliers](https://www.parktool.com/en-int/product/master-link-pliers-mlp-1-2), finding the quick-link on the worn chain and squeezing together with the pilars, the chain pops apart.
+
+After taking off the worn chain it was definitely time for a deep clean.  The gears were fairly easy to clean although the jockey wheels in the derailleur arm were thickly coated with dirt.  An old knife was required to scrape the most hardened dirt.
+
+GNC video on [replacing a bike chain](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWchudX-Tqs) including how to correctly size the new chain for the specific bicycle gearing.  New chains have several more links by design to ensure they fit all gear ratios.  When replacing a chain the length of the new chain should be trimmed to the length of the chain being removed.  Or wrap the new chain around the largest gear at front and back (not within the derailleur) and pull the chain tight, adding two full links gives the correct chain length.
+
+Using both approaches to determine the new chain length give the same result, removing two links from the new chain.
+
+Fitting the chain was nearly as easy as removing the chain.  Once the chain is threaded through the derailleur and around the smallest chain rings, fit the quick link parts and gently pull the chain until the quick links snap into place.
+
+In a quick test ride the chain felt very smooth and chaining gears very smooth.  I assume this is mostly the chain as well as having a cleaner bicycle.
+
+---
+Thank you.
+
+[:globe_with_meridians: Practical.li Website](https://practical.li){target=_blank .md-button}
+
+[:fontawesome-brands-github: Practical.li GitHub Org](https://github.com/practicalli){target=_blank .md-button}
+[:fontawesome-brands-github: practicalli-johnny profile](https://github.com/practicalli-johnny){target=_blank .md-button}
+
+[:fontawesome-brands-mastodon: @practicalli@clj.social](https://clj.social/@practicalli){target=_blank .md-button}
+[:fontawesome-brands-twitter: @practical_li](https://twitter.com/practcial_li){target=_blank .md-button}