Bad morning yesterday. Was headed out 5 minutes late already, made it two blocks on my 70's Schwinn Le Tour Single Speed. The rear axle and rear right dropout bent. I usually leave my bikes on the back porch over night and it was about 18 degrees that night. Maybe a combination of that and the old frame just couldn't hold up.

But my story isn't over....I walked back the two blocks and got on my 60's Schwinn Collegiate 5-speed and started out of the driveway but while pedaling I kept skipping cog teeth. My chain was frozen, or it was rusted and needed lube.

Still not over...so with two bikes down and my Fuji Sagres conversion still in pieces I was forced to drive my wife's car. I get in, start the car, try to shut the door...but wait, it's not latching. The clasp mechanism in the door was frozen! So here I go, one hand on the wheel, one hand holding the door handle shut, taking right turns very slowly....

Almost done...So I make it to work a half hour late. I go home at lunch to give my wife her car back and take mine out of the garage. I turn the key and hear this huuuuuunnnnnn, huuuunnnnn, huuunnn, hun. Won't turn over. Probably because it sits in the garage all the time because I ride my bike to work everyday except that day.

Lesson learned...cold weather and old steel bikes don't mix well. About the point the car door wouldn't shut I quit getting frustrated and just came to the conclusion that the day was just going to be one of those days.

Eric