Dishwasher packed up in the week so I was going to look to see what is available locally----BUT-- 9am and two mates turned up for a ride. Took 30 minutes to get changed and sort a bike and we were off. In the rush to get out- I just threw on shorts and a couple of tops and found a pair of gloves. Got riding and it was cold. I was not prepared for how cold. 30f and a damp air.

Got to the cafe and no PIE. Just before the mates turned up I had eaten a Full English breakfast of Eggs- Bacon- Sausage- Tomatoes- Mushrooms and Fried Bread. So just a large Black coffeee when I got to the cafe. Then it happened. The hands came back to life. The fingertips hurt as circulation got back to them. I became a wuss for the first time in years and sat inside.

So on the way back and ran over some glass. Stopped immediately and wiped the tyres off but it did not help. 5 miles later and the front tyre went down. In the rush to get out- I had no wedge but luckily one of the others had a repair kit so not long before we were on our way again.

Got home and it had warmed up a bit to 34F but the hands had the same problem. And the feet are not so clever either. So 35 nmiles and I still have to go shopping. Think I'll be getting the first dishwasher that catches the wifes eye. Won't have the mental energy to argue for a Cheaper/ better/ more practical one till the brain warms up.

PS. Got back 10 minutes ago and it is now raining- Whats new.

Dishwashers around the world must be suffering the same fate as yours. Mine has finally decided to quit after 20+ years (finally, I was tired of looking at that ugly thing) Be careful though....mine hated to leave its friends at the store so it invited a fridge, stove and range hood to join it.

Nothing is worse than a flat in cold weather. I skipped the breakfast ride this morning. It's 34F, 20-25 mph winds with gusts up to 40 mph I've become a real weather wimp this year.

Good story, stapfam. At least you got a ride in and beat the rain, too. Do you get snow at your home?

Years ago I got a rear flat on my motorcycle and it was about 30 degrees out. Those tires are hard to remove when it's warm and the cold made it harder still. The lever slipped and I punched the sprocket with my knuckles, yeeooww. That day I learned to work on the tire with the sprocket side down.

Stepfam, you're a better man than me. It was cold here (high 30sF, ~3C) and windy but sunny. I opted to *drive* to the bike shop I work at (my day off) and do some minor upgrades to my new TCX.

Hopefully we won't need a dishwasher anytime soon. Ours is only 3+ years old and 2 weeks before the warranty expired it required some major service. The part was $120 (covered by the warranty) and the labor (not covered by the warranty ) was $90+. Got my fingers crossed.

I'm figuring that wedge is the same thing we yanks call a "tire iron"?. If so, then a little tip for next time--your quick release lever can be used in a pinch as a substitute. BTW--that's some breakfast!

Some days the bear will eat you; some days you eat the bear. I think you just had one of those days. Kudos for getting the ride in and toughing it out. Although with the breakfast you described, I'm not sure I could ride anywhere. I'd need an hour or two to let it all settle.

I thought a wedge was another name for seat pack, because of it's wedge shape.

See below
Yep

And just to make you jealous- I got away without buying a dishwasher today----Just so I could get home to watch a 3 hour review of the 2008 TDF.

I think it's time the gang here at 50+ inform Mrs. stapfam of her husband's secret passion for washing dishes by hand.

That swiming pool would hold many dishes, pots and pans.
Just add soap and kick your legs.

And very apt--Came up as joke of the day

A blonde went to the appliance store sale and found a bargain. "I would like to buy this dishwasher," she told the salesman.
"Sorry, we don't sell to blondes," he replied.

She hurried home and dyed her hair, then came back and again told the salesman, "I would like to buy this dishwasher."

"Sorry, we don't sell to blondes," he replied.

"Darn, he recognized me," she thought.

She went for a complete disguise this time; haircut and new color, new outfit, big sunglasses, then waited a few days before she again approached the salesman. "I would like to buy this dishwasher."

"Sorry, we don't sell to blondes," he replied.

Frustrated, she exclaimed, "How do you know I'm a blonde?"

"Because that's a microwave," he replied.

My sympathy, Stapfam. I recall mornings where my fingers were almost too numb to unscrew the glue tube, not to mention the pain of reseating the bead inside the rim. But worst is the thawing out process for the finger tips. However, that hot post0-ride shower is sooo good.

And it's not even January yet!

My fingers were cold and almost numb on our ride in 50 degrees yesterday... I wished I'd worn my new full-finger gloves.