Well, do I have an interesting story to tell about my afternoon adventures. First I went to the hardware store in search of a washer that would make this all work out. I explained it to the guy there, and he was convinced that no such washer existed, and that I could not get the screw any closer to the spindle. Ok. Well, I had other errands to run, so off I go downtown. Much to my chagrin, I forgot that today was the day of the big peace protest, and since I live in "Little Beirut", downtown was swarming with Robocops in full, 21st century riot gear. Got run off the road by about 40 bike cops (Those guys really need flashing lights and some kind of siren.)

I make it to the library in one piece, conduct my transactions, and decide that since there is a LBS just a block away, I may as well delay my passage through the wall of Robocops and show my pedal to the mechanic there. She looks at the pedal, concurs with the hardware store guy that it just can't be done, and even offers her opinion that I chose a lousy pedal for PowerGrips.

Dejected, sad, and still not wanting to face the Robocops (they scare me, guys.), I do what any reasonable person would do - go get iced tea at my favorite coffee shop. Thus fortified and my handlebar drink holder filled, I toodle through downtown whilst sipping delicious iced tea towards the bridge that will get me back across the river and home. I look in my mirror and notice the Robocops chasing a gaggle of anarchist wanna-bes in the direction I am heading. I decide to move through downtown at a very brisk pace. I make it to the bridge - safe from the Robocops at last! I cross the bridge - even safer from them - and wait at the light with all the other cyclists. There this one couple right in front of me - and the guy had PowerGrips on pedals quite similar to my own! Oh joy, I get to study them while waiting for the light to turn green! He actually turns around, though, and asks me about my handlebar cup holder, so we get to talking and he and his wife offer to pull over to I can have a look at his pedals. Awesome! I pull out my pedal and PowerGrip to show him, and he not only tells me I chose great, wonderful pedals , it turns out that he used to have these very same pedals with PowerGrips on them. Man, I love living in Portland... Well, Patrick says that you do put the screw in the place I photographed. Just give yourself enough slack and your feet will manage. Indeed, his well-worn PowerGrips were placed that very way on his pedals. Plus, he showed me how to turn them inside out so the logo isn't visible. (I despise logos...) He and his wife also wholeheartedly agree with many of you who don't feel the instructions are particularly intuitive. So, I got to have the very nice Patrick and Holly as riding companions for part of the way home.

So, I guess facing the Robocops today was worth it. Thanks, guys, for all your kind, patient help.