Took Rear Wheel Off & Did "Maintenance"!

[Velocivixen]

So I bought my bike in October and although I've taken classes on how to change flats and they actually had us practice on an upside down bike on the back wheel, I've never actually had the occasion to do it. I did my bike event on the 18th, which involved riding 30 miles in the pouring rain (sideways) out in the rural roads of Oregon. I noticed since I've been back that there's a scraping sort of noise when I break, particularly in the back. I cleaned the rims which helped but it didn't solve the sound. I put my bike in the stand, shifted to the smallest cogs front/back and removed the rear wheel. Sure enough there were minute pieces of metal??? in the fairly new pads. With my handy tweezers I got them out, took the time to wash the wheel, clean the cassette, clean/lube the chain. Once it was back together I saw that the wheel must not have been centered because I couldn't pedal due to brake pad pushed to one side of the rim. I examined the front situation to make sure that I had put the back brakes back together. Finally I took the bike out of the stand and onto the floor, loosened the quick release and re-engaged the back wheel into the drop outs (isn't gravity great?), and all is well!
Now I'm going for a ride. I feel so accomplished.
So...thanks for all the encouragement.

[Owlie]

Good for you!

[PamNY]

That's excellent. It's really a good feeling to learn how to take care of your bike.

[Bike Writer]

What a great feeling when you accomplish such an awesome task!

[Tri Girl]

feels good to do maintenance yourself, huh? I love the satisfaction of doing my own work.

[Velocivixen]

Well I'm back from my ride and the brakes are nice and quiet.....and nothing fell off! Lol.