Energy Legs!

I've gotten in a bunch of riding this first week of freedom, and after the

first few days (and the second flat) I noticed all sorts of problems,

including a weird click in the left pedal and a crunchy rear hub. When

I pulled off the back wheel, the axle was not able to spin at all without

tools, and at that point I packed up and headed over to the

Exploratorium for some awesome bike mechanic lessons from Jesse.

In two nights we covered and fixed lots of things about cranks (the cup

was loosened from the frame quite a bit, hence the rocking pedals), rear

hubs (the bearings were pretty shot and the bearing preload was tight.

Repacked the hub and adjusted the cone nuts), and brakes (lubricated

the cable housings, swapped out the brake pads). It feels pretty good

to know more of my away around this bike.

I oiled the chain and now the thing rides like a champ. My few days of

riding with a way-too-loaded axle have yielded massive new leg muscles

that feel very strange. Even riding a few blocks is painful right now,

and walking feels relatively alien. Tomorrow is a rain day, no(t much)

biking for me.

Thanks Jesse.