Now, as important as it is to keep the car in proper working order the same can be said for my bike. After all, not only is this a tool to keep my fitness up to par, but it's how I get around. The dead of winter has a way of causing a guy to put things off, not to mention with a training schedule that's leaving me wiped out. Most nights I've just been hoping the bike would fix itself. Long story short, the thing has been running like crap! All the salt, grit, grime, and tears (mine) have it groaning over the smallest of demands. Last night's ride home was the last straw. I really thought some thing was going to snap, maybe even me. Into the stand she went and I prepared to get dirty. Believe it or not, it was one of those rare times when every thing went smooth, which was vital, because if something were to go dreadfully wrong my LBS wasn't open and I didn't have another machine I was prepared to take into the slop. Well, I guess I could have taken Big Mama off the hook, but damn, she's soooo clean right now.
I attacked the supposed issue with "plan A", only to find a different issue that had me in one of those "Ahhhhh, that's the problem" moments. A short time later she was running smooth in the stand and a little attention was given to some other issues and I felt good!
The ride into work this morning felt even better, as I was able to actually use all the bike had to offer, rather than avoid certain gear combos, and the "ooooh, better not do that" factor. Too bad I was faced with a 25 mph head wind for over half the ride. At one point I had to drop down the middle ring going DOWN HILL, I just couldn't turn over the big ring any more. Now that's wind.
Fix your bike, it's worth it!
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