2021 mileage: 4874.3
I took yesterday as a rest day, and then today I really did not want to ride. But the gorgeous weather was calling to me to do a longer ride, and I heeded the call, leaving at noon to ride a round trip to Baker Rd. (19.2 miles in a slow time of 2:45). That weather was really magnificent, though—58° and sunny, with only a gentle breeze when I began, climbing to 64° when I finished.
When I turned around, I texted my wife Michelle, my daughter Christy, my sister Marianne, and my friend Stephanie, as I always do. I said it was a GREAT day (though I didn't want to ride), and Marianne quickly reminded me, "as our Mom would say, 'I push myself.' " Mom (1923-2020) would have been 98 this Wednesday, and I can only hope to resemble her.
As I finished up the ride (less than 3 miles before I got home), an incident occurred that reminded me of the need for a mechanical adjustment. Coming down a hill on the sidewalk, I rode up behind a rather surly, gruff man walking two dogs. I slowed to his walking speed, and when he eventually noticed me, he snarled, "You need a bell on that thing!" I have a bell—a good one— but it is on the left handlebar, and I couldn't ring it because I had to brake with my left hand to avoid hitting him, as the right brake has slipped out of adjustment to the point where it's nearly useless. I envision the adjustment as not being difficult, and probably not requiring more than a screwdriver, but nevertheless I have no idea what to do.
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