Robert Foster

We have all heard of the infamous sock monster or rip in space that eats socks either in your dryer or washing machine. I have often wondered what someone in the other dimension was thinking when suddenly a sock just showed up where one had not been before. But I believe I now know the answer. The other world sends us spare bike parts and tools.

Before I started cycling in July I believe I got rid of any old bike parts I had ever had. I did have one old leather case with some tools for when I was cycling 20 years ago but most of them were no longer any good. I tossed out wheels, old chains, old pedals and other odds and ends. All I had left was a spoke wrench for about five different sizes of spoke nipples and I thought I had a chain breaking tool. I could put all my bike parts in a small box about 4x6x6. Today I discovered I have an extra set of wheels, an extra saddle, two extra sets of pedals, A cassette whip, two sets of tire irons, various Allen wrenches and extra compact chain ring and bottom bracket. I also have discovered a small box on bike related nuts and bolts and several cleaners and lubricants and a chain cleaning tool. I just know I didn’t keep the spare parts and buy the tools. But I can’t imagine why someone in the other dimension would put such things in their washers and dryers.

billydonn

The same gods recently sent me a 30 year-old can of Harley-Davidson chain oil... from the days of my wild youth. Started using it on the LeMond about a month ago (after trashing its first chain in 500 miles) and early results have been very favorable. It pays to rummage around the garage sometimes, eh?

stapfam

I've heard about these tool fairies before-But don't tell the wife. She will check the credit card statements and believe them before she believes you.

Timtruro

I tried that other dimension stuff when a bike showed up unexpectedly. Found out that my couch gets uncomfortable around 4:30 in the morning.

Rick@OCRR

My view is that these tools enter into our dimension from the bottom of my tool box. When ever I rummage around to the Very Bottom of the tool box, I find all kinds of tools I didn't know I had!

I recently found one of those little tools to tighten (or loosen) chain-ring fixing nuts! Didn't remember having one before, but it works great!

Lots of freewheel removers down there too . . . not sure what they fit. Probably won't need them any more now that we're in the cog-cassette age. Still, you never know . . .

Rick / OCRR

Robert Foster

My wife has shown some skepticism at my explanation. While she understands about the vanishing socks she has never found the washer or dryer to be a return portal. When I only had two bikes she questioned why I needed 4 bike hooks for the shed. She does not however accept the inter-dimensional explanation for any extra bikes now hanging in the shed. Tools however have escaped her notice so like someone suggested the portal must be in the bottom of tool boxes or large plastic storage containers

Timtruro

I say excellent.

maddmaxx 

There is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition.

BluesDawg

maddmaxx 

McCoo is McCool.

AdrianL

I'm not real sure about the appearance of tools and parts but I did discover something a long, long time ago -

Socks are the larval state of coat hangers.

wobblyoldgeezer

I love this forum

HopedaleHills

My missing socks reincarnate as shoes in my wife's closet

Ed in GA

I have a similar issue with my wife. It usually has something to do with my Camera gear. And, it usually goes something like this

Her "Is that new?"

Me "this?"

Her "Yes, that!"

Me "You mean, this on here?"

Her "You know which one I mean!" (As she rolls her eyes)

Me "Oh, you mean this one?"

Her "Yes!" (with that "look".)

Me "Nah, I've had this one for a while now."

Her "That's what I thought!" "it's new." (Again, with the look and shake of the head as she walks away.)

HopedaleHills

Ed,

Another camera guy here. I've had that same conversation. What I can't understand is that she can have dozens of purses, but a forth camera bag is excessive! Good thing she has never actually counted lenses.

Ed in GA

Oh my! I know the Purse -vs- Camera bag drill.

Here's the part that I really don't understand though. Like all Photographers, I like to buy different lenses and experiment with them. When I find that they don't fit in with the program, I usually sell (or try to) them. This is the part where I get... "Why are you selling that?" "I don't use it very much" "Maybe not, but don't you think you should keep it? Just in case?"

Must have something to do with that female gene that will not allow them to ever throw out a Purse or pair of shoes. We have one small closet in which there is nothing but shoes. Hers!

BluesDawg

My tools all come via UPS or FedEx and end up in my tool box. To anyone else, my tool box looks like a hopeless mess of randomness, but I can go right to whatever tool I need.