Your bike, it talks to you

Bikes do a pretty good job of telling us what they need. Often times I hear chains crying that they are thirsty for oil. Sometimes brake pads like to squeal that they aren’t quite toed in right. Bikes, just like cars, send signals telling us something is wrong. It’s just up to us to listen. A couple of weeks ago my shifting cable was arguing with me; being tight and resisting me. I took note, and thought I should go to the bike shop about that. But I was about to go on vacation and my mind (and my lunch breaks) were elsewhere. I’ll deal with the cable after I get back, I said. Well, here I am back from vacation and the cable didn’t make it one trip. Just as I started peeling down 5th avenue, she snapped. That was it, my bike told me, no more. While I wasn’t in the best gear for climbing up the hills of 5th avenue (there are hills out there, people! Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there!) I managed okay. Still gotta get to work. My brakes were not affected, and except for riding slower, I felt safe to finish my ride into work and to ride to the bike shop. Whew!

Fremont Bridge Bike Count: 149
 

I was so worried!

As I rode into work on the sunniest of mornings, I got to thinking about riding for fun. This lead me to thinking about my bike, and how it needs some maintenance. This got me thinking about my favorite bike repair shop. It's on the way to work, but horrible inconvenient otherwise. This means I procrastinate on getting the work done that I need. At this time, I approached the building, and to my shock- it was closed down! The windows were boarded up! I rode on in sadness and disappointment. I felt for the little guy, the small business just trying to do good, honest work and how that is in our economy. I felt guilty; if only I'd gotten my work done sooner, maybe they would have stayed in business. I irrationally felt like my one chain replacement would make or break the business. As I shook my head in remorse, I rode up to another building a half mile down the road. And there was the Wrench- bigger, shinier, closer to town! Wow! They must be doing fantastic as a business! The new lot had to have a much pricier lease. I pedaled the rest of the way into work with a smile on my face, happy for the world, and comforted knowing some things do go well sometimes.