Bike Ride = Fail
All was going seemingly well.
I purchased another bike tire.
Realized it was the wrong size and took it back.
Successfully obtained correct tire.
Put tire on with no major disasters. (I hope I never have to do this in a race. I’m capable, but painfully slow.)
Realize back tire I changed months ago is on backwards.
Change back tire so the treads actually go in the right direction.
Put chain back on.
Wait. Chain doesn’t go back on right.
This is where it goes downhill…
The chain was “on” but clicking and clacking in a way I knew spelled disaster. I finally took the wheel off and started over last night.
Aha! Victory! Chain is fixed and I was ready to ride. Well, it was dark at this point, but I was ready to ride today!
I get everything all adjusted- air in tires, attach new tire pump, fill water bottle.
There must have been a little inkling of doubt in my head, because for some reason I decided to loop around the neighborhood before setting off on my 9 mile ride.
I made it about 10 feet. Chain fell and wedged behind the pedals. Oh shoot, I’ve seen this before.
I flipped the bike over, finagled the chain out of the inner workings of the bike, and somehow managed to get it back on.
Got back on the bike and rode back towards the house to “check”. As soon as I changed gears, the chain was off again.
I preceded to make every adjustment I could think of, but I just can’t get it right. The chain is too loose, or not right, or something, who knows what this time. My bike mechanic skills are not yet advanced enough for these problems.
Maybe if I take it to the bike shop and look pitiful enough they’ll help me out.
Perhaps I should go shower first though…I decided to run my bike frustrations out- literally. 4 miles in the hot sticky July May air. I don’t think being a stinky mess will get me far in trying to get any bike sympathy.
Fingers crossed….
