Only managed a short ride on Monday, due to a total lockup of the CPU (central pedaling unit). Thankfully, this lockup didn't result in a crash! Been there, done that. ;-)

Seriously, the front derailleur on my bike locked up, and refused to allow me to shift into the highest range of gears. I discovered this problem on the way down a hill, of course, which meant I had to stop and try to fix it... to no avail. Another rider stopped and was able to help me coax the chain onto the biggest gear, but it was temporary: the next time I down-shifted for climbing, I was stuck there again.

To make matters worse, I found (as I was trying to fix the derailleur) that my rear wheel was so badly warped that it was rubbing against the brakes and actually prevented me from pedalling by hand (to test the derailleur). Sheesh! How long have I been working against my brakes? I'd guess that it's been at least a week and a half, as I've noticed that the bike will actually slow down when going down a hill, if the hill isn't very steep.

Mystic Cycle Center came to the rescue again! Shane took my bike over there this morning, and they had it fixed within a couple hours. The front derailleur needs to be replaced, but they fixed it up well enough that it should last the rest of this season, which is good enough for me.

We'll see how much of a difference it makes to no longer be riding against my brakes, on calibrated wheels and with the ability to shift (mostly) at will. Maybe I'll crack that 18 mph average this year, after all!

Now I just need to do something about my helmet. I've always replaced my helmet at the beginning of every riding season, but I didn't do it this year and MAN OH MAN does it stink under there! The pads just soak up the sweat and then it rots... and they can't really be washed (or if they can, I haven't figured out how). Corinne says that I should get a new helmet and call it my birthday present from her (a couple weeks early), but I'm not sure I want to buy a new helmet so late in the season.