Dreaming of lime gerbils in a cheese sauce

I was right, it was a manufacturing defect - there were 2 burrs on the new rim. The very nice/helpful/friendly mechanic at the bike shop filed them down and made it all better. When I got the bike home I took it for a quick spin around the block and once again I am reminded just how bad a shape I'm in.

I got my repaired bike back last night. The lady at the store commented on how heavy it is (well, it is 24 years old. Composite bikes just weren't an option for me in 1984). I picked up a new helmet (something about a 24 year old helmet doesn't give me much confidence), new saddle bags (waterproof!) and a new lock. Total was somewhere around $450. Ouch. It's going to take some serious riding to pay for that.

Since I haven't ridden since March, 1993 I figured I'd better practice off the road for a bit before heading out. I rode around the parking lot - about 8 laps up and down a fairly gentle slope - then took off for the bus stop at Campus Parkway. I almost made it but the hill on Brooklyn and 40th defeated me.

I got the bike on the bus and got to my stop then started riding home on it. I made the ride all the way home but I was dead. My legs hurt for a while and the shakes eventually ended.

This morning I decided to try for the donut shop a few stops down from my usual stop. The downhill part was easy but the uphill defeated me again. I really earned this apple fritter from Top Pot, I tell you. My goal is to bike home from my usual stop tonight and see how long it takes me to walk again.

The saddle isn't very comfortable. I think I'll need to replace it. I also need to get a different head light. The one I bought a while ago doesn't fit on my handlebars - they're too large for the clamp.

My big fear? Forgetting I had a bike on the bus rack.