Tibike -- so that's what the gluteus muscles are for! Here all these years I've just been piling on weight back there to help hold down my desk chair. I figured it was like axle weights on a tractor -- helped give you traction. Who knew your gluteus had another use. I suppose next you'll tell me that by closing my thumb and forefinger together I can pick up small objects more easily than my current proceedure of catching them between my palms!!

Cigtech -- I think I might hate you! Although, Tibike seems to be right about the stronger pedalling in a aero position. I was totally wiped tonight on the ride home after a full day of moving office furniture, but I experimented on the lower end of my ride that is fairly flat. I found that the difference between the upright position and the "aero" position was 1 to 1.5 mph with no additional effort. Maybe with my newfangled trekking bars I can start to approach the exalted heights of Cigtech and you other speed demons!

Well the Chancellor of the Exchequer has determined that maybe I should go hunting for a decent rear wheel, since I broke 2 spokes on the way home. Her thinking is that this way I would have a good spare wheel should anything happen to my main wheel or for mounting snowtires. Tomorrow the hunt begins for a suitable wheel. Always good to strike when the checkbook is open.

Also the bike gods seem to be smiling on commuters on the CCT today. The District patched several potholes in G'town making access to the trail much easier. And for reasons unknown, the county went through and re-lined its section of the CCT. Now at least people travelling on the wrong side of the trail will know it. And finally, it didn't rain on the homebound trip this afternoon. All in all a good day for biking.