Remember yesterday when I talked about how hard it was to get my bike to shift properly? Yeah. Well, once stuff like that starts happening, it's usually a messge from above.
And that message is this:
"Get your bike tuned, stupid."
I ignored that message. I had a long ride today and figure I could squeeze one more bike ride out of the Rockette before taking it into the shop.Of course, I discovered right away that this was going to be a small chain ring day. The bike simply would not switch onto the big ring, no matter how much I begged and threatened.
I can remember when that was all I needed.
Big chain ring? Pah.
That was only for going down hill.
But now, after all my practice rides I've actually made some, ya know, progress, and so today I was spinning at a really high cadence, for me, much more than I'm used to. Breathing heavy, but feeling good.
I was thinking that at least, this would be a chance to practice high cadence. For sixty miles. Oh, well. I've got my favorite bike shorts, cycling top, and hydration vest. Bring it on!
and god said, "HA!"
Suddenly, my foot was free. Frowning, I looked down at it. Had it slipped off the pedal? Unlikely. I have the tightest pedals in the world....usually takes much effort and swearing to get locked in and much effort to get unlocked as I coast to stops, just before I fall over.
I leaned over further. No, actually, the pedal was still firmly attached to my foot.
Yep, there they were, the pedal and crank arm.
Dangling from and attached to my bike shoe.
Not to the bike,
Dangling from and attached to my bike shoe.
Not to the bike,
Hmmm. Pretty sure this is not one of those quick fix things, like, say, a flat.
I coasted to a stop, and Pirate took one look, and said, "Your ride is
over." then she said, "I'd be pissed." I considered briefly whether no shifting and one pedal meant the ride was over, and then I had to admit that it was.
At first, I felt uber studly. I'd pedaled the crank right off my bike. BOOYAH!
But that soon gave way to regret. I'd neglected a friend. This is an example of a desperately uncared for Rockette, on whom I've put nearly 700 miles this summer with no tune up. Don't try this at home, kids.
We sent Pirate's Beloved and Sweet Baboo back for the car whilst we turned around and I pedaled one-legged for about 5 miles. Ever do ILT's? I used to grumble and grouse when the Jimmy made us do them. Today, I was thankful.
Occasionally, I had to shift my weight as ever more components began to complain about the neglect and more recent off-balanced pedaling and started acting crazy. Eventually the guys showed up with the car and we loaded the Rockette into it.
No bike shops open today. Of course, my training bike is still missing a wheel, so that's out.
No ride today.
... Boo.
I coasted to a stop, and Pirate took one look, and said, "Your ride is
over." then she said, "I'd be pissed." I considered briefly whether no shifting and one pedal meant the ride was over, and then I had to admit that it was.At first, I felt uber studly. I'd pedaled the crank right off my bike. BOOYAH!
But that soon gave way to regret. I'd neglected a friend. This is an example of a desperately uncared for Rockette, on whom I've put nearly 700 miles this summer with no tune up. Don't try this at home, kids.
We sent Pirate's Beloved and Sweet Baboo back for the car whilst we turned around and I pedaled one-legged for about 5 miles. Ever do ILT's? I used to grumble and grouse when the Jimmy made us do them. Today, I was thankful.
Occasionally, I had to shift my weight as ever more components began to complain about the neglect and more recent off-balanced pedaling and started acting crazy. Eventually the guys showed up with the car and we loaded the Rockette into it.
No bike shops open today. Of course, my training bike is still missing a wheel, so that's out.
No ride today.
... Boo.
