Today, I figured I could ride to the hamfest, work on my taxes, or wrench on bikes. Slept in too late for the hamfest, so I ventured outside on a blustery day to do battle with the waiting bikes.

First up, a misbegotten Crossroads with gummy shifters and a subtle top tube dent. Pulled the shifters, and then realized the rear derailleur return spring was snapped and flopping around, so yanked the derailleur along with the shifters.



Put three pair of shifters in the ultrasonic for cleaning, with all the removed parts neatly arranged in bins on the patio table for eventual reassembly. Went inside for a moment, and then heard a loud CRASHHH. Uh oh. Raced back outside to see that a gust of wind had overturned the table, bending the umbrella and sending all those tiny parts everywhere. Language unbecoming of Easter weekend may have ensued.

After cleaning up that minor disaster, I switched over to a yellow Sorrento with (all together now) gummy shifters and a couple other malfunctions.


This bike didn't put up too much of a fight... until a routine brake adjustment resulted in a snapped spring. Grrr.



Now to get my most weather-worthy bike ready for tomorrow's ride - I'll probably take the chrome cruiser, as it has an internal gear hub, fat tires, full fenders, and wire baskets for drainage. We're expecting heavy rain in the morning, so maybe the taxes will get done as I dry off. Maybe.