During my ride on Sunday, my bike (a 1996 Cannondale R500 with 7300 miles on the frame) developed a clicking sound near the bottom bracket. At first I thought it was the bracket, but once I got home and put it on my repair stand, I found that it sounds like it is coming from the frame a few inches up towards the handlebars from the bottom bracket. I inspected the area, but found no cracks.

I am planning on taking the bike to the local bike shop before I ride it again. I was hoping that maybe someone here had experienced something similiar. Since this is my first aluminum frame, is this normal when under moderate to high torque?

Thanks.