I made a decision to go slower today. It's hard for me because I am so freaking competitive that when I see a cyclist up ahead of me I always want to shift to afaster gear and blast by them. What a weirdo.
Anyways, I shifted into an easy gear and promised myself to stay in it and go no higher. I kept that promise and actually had a nice ride.
I looked over my winter commuting bike last night. It's a cyclocross bike that will take studded tires. I keep three different front wheels ready in the winter: one studded, one with treads, and one slick. I proabably ride the slick more than the other two combined, even in the Vermont winter, but the studded tire is great when needed. The bearings on the rear wheel are toast, I think. when i spin the wheel, I can hear grinding sounds from back there. Lubrication doesn't help. DanO, you are into bike mechanics, right? Can you (or anyone else) tell me if it is feasible to try and fix those bearings myself? Thanks!