Rode in today with the slippy pedal/crank issue, figured I'd nurse it enough to get it to the bike store. Ride was great, really slow (and somewhat careful) due to the problem and a nice dusting of snow we had. -4C when I left (finally, after The Big Glove Hunt(tm) )

Noticed a lot this morning. Firstly, I had to stop about 5 mins in to put my woolly hat (toque!) on over my skullcap, my head was starting to freeze. Also, because I wasn't able to go too fast (or put in a lot of effort starting off) - I wasn't nearly as sweaty, tired or anything. I was also riding a lot more WITH other cyclists, as they kept a lower riding speed generally.

It took me about 38 mins to get to the bikestore, which is around the same distance it is to work (according to routeslip), so that's not bad. (Modified route, took Church only to Carlton then across to Beverley and down there to Phoebe, then a little turn onto John where Urbane cyclist is).

Dude at the bikestore found the problem quickly, turns out my crank has a pin that the chainring connects to, this pin no longer exists on my bike (there was a specific type of crank he mentioned, but I don't remember). I cancelled the cassette and gear upgrades, as he convinced me that it really wouldn't make too much difference right now. Instead, got him to install new rear pads and get a couple of new cables installed on the brakes - the rear cable has been sticking for a while now, truthfully. Along with that and a 'space bar' (a handlebar extender mount thing) - my bike should be all ship-shop ready for 5 on the way home. I'm excited, it's the very first time I've ever had a bike repaired and worked on at a bike store, and I'm looking forward to it being ready to ride, and hopefully with a little more spring in its step