BobbyG : I've broken two shift cables in the same spot (it's a common Shimano brifter complaint) and both times, like you had happen, I managed to lose the metal cable end inside the brifter. Once I was able to fish it out with needle nose pliers, but the second time I had to disassemble the brifter to get to it. I feel your pain.

Consecutive bicycle work commute number 2092:

It rained all day yesterday, all night, and is still raining today. We need the moisture, so I hesitate to complain about it. However, I can wish the temp was 10-20 degrees warmer.

I rode my hybrid bike with fenders yesterday and today.

When I was going to leave work yesterday afternoon, it was absolutely pouring rain. I looked at the radar and decided to wait a little while. A half hour later it was still coming down hard, but I was out of time and had to leave. The wind was blowing 20 mph into my face, and the temp was in the low 30s F. Some of the rain was freezing, and pelting my face as I fought the wind. My glasses fogged over and I could barely see anything, but with the freezing rain I didn't want to remove them for the sake of my eyeballs.

It was a slow ride home. I finally rolled into the garage at 6 PM completely soaked. I am currently in another theater production and had to be downtown no later than 6:30. That gave me 10 minutes to throw my wet clothes in the dryer, change into dry clothing and go right back out the door. I decided to drive the car to the theater. 17 miles in the rain is enough for one day.

This morning the temp was 35°F and the rain was still falling. The wind had calmed some, but had shifted direction so I still had to fight it on the way to the client's office. I came around a sharp corner on the MUP and my wheels slipped out from under me. Thankfully I kept the bike upright, but "note to self", there are spots where the rain is starting to freeze.

I find it ironic that after I arrived at the office soaking wet, the first thing I did was get in the shower and douse myself with MORE water.