Saddlesore
June 26, 2006 at 1.07 pmI finally fixed my bike on Friday!
It had been out of action since last September, possibly even August. Basically, I’d treated it to a shiny new rear derailleur - the old one was thoroughly worn out, causing much gear-jumping and general badness. Now, halfway through the operation, I realised that I was running late for a date with Jill (that shows how long ago it was!)…so, I rushed things. And managed to click my shifter the wrong way, which drew loads of cable into itself and jammed thoroughly.
Since then, I tried the "filling the thing with lubricant and pulling hard" trick, but to no avail. Then the weather got bad, so I didn’t bother trying further, knowing that I’d probably have to devote a whole afternoon to fixing the damn thing. Plus, Stu’s old bike repair manual suggested that Shimano clicky shifters are quite definitely not user-serviceable.
A couple of Sunday afternoons ago, I found myself at a bit of a loose end, so tidied the garden a bit, before sitting down with my bike and toolkit. With fingers firmly crossed, I took the shifter apart, sorted the problem, straightened the cable, and even managed to get it all back together again!
On Friday, I had the time to give the whole drivetrain a good clean and lube, before sorting out the fine adjustment for the derailleur. I then packed a pannier with a selection of tools (allan key, screwdriver and pliers), topped up with beer, wine and A-to-Z, then headed to Solomon’s to meet up with Kate, Linden, etc. for a celebratory drink - Kate’s now a fully-qualified GP (or thereabouts)!
Kate, Linden, Raman, Rosy and Celia were there, with Rich, Jon D, Jon’s girlfriend (I can never remember her name…might be "Maz" but I’m not sure) and Adam turning up later.
I had to leave early, though, to head to Chorlton for Clare’s flatwarming party - hence the A-to-Z! Off I went, and found the place eventually, only to find that half the party left just after I got there!
Oh well, never mind. And I thought 10.30pm was a perfectly respectable time to turn up to a house party! ‘Twas all very pleasant, though - sat around chatting for a few hours, before I cycled home at something like 12.30am.
So, that was about 6 miles of cycling, for the first time in 10 months. And I was seriously saddlesore afterwards! Okay, so I really don’t have the most comfortable of saddles, but two 3-mile rides should be absolutely nothing.
Ho hum. I’ll be cycling lots for short journeys (into Manc or less, so under 4 miles a go) in the near future. I’m sure I’ll get back into it quickly enough.
It still hurts (a little) today, three days later, which is just rubbish.
I am planning to fix my bike in the near future (needs a selection of parts including a new wheel). we could maybe see about gentle cyles to intersting places at some point to fill otherwise boring weekends
(Not that you ever have many of them 
)
Comment by thetallone — June 26, 2006 @ 7.52 pm
I, too, am saddlesore! Cycling to work must be 4 miles. Getting back on my bike after a day of work HURTS!! I’m hoping that will calm down after a few rides.
Jon’s girlfriend is Elizabeth, me thinks.
Comment by Alsion — June 28, 2006 @ 12.45 pm