2006

[eclectic]

I DID IT !!! Hip hip hooray

got done early w/ an appointment and didn't have to be at class 'til 6:30 -
thought the weather is good so go for it

Rode 17.2 miles - enough to do 2006.4 on this bike for the year (have a few miles on my old mtn bike)

Everything else now is gravy if the weather holds

I figure I have now graduated from beginning New Rider to intermediate new rider. I have the miles on but need to change a flat (in the cold, in the dark, in the rain and learn more about the mechanics of the bike before I can move to the true intermediate section

[Bikingmomof3]

Congrats eclectic! You did it!!

[DDH]

Congratulations!!! I definitaly think you get to move up with those kind of miles.

Give yourself a huge!!! pat on the back.

[Kitsune06]

Woo! Congrats!!!

My tips on changing a flat-
The front is pretty easy... don't worry about that too much.
The back- If you're worried about the cassette and derailleur, put your thumb on the upper guide wheel (assuming your bike is sitting upside down) and your fingers on the hinge-arm of the derailleur, so by squeezing thumb and fingers together you extend the derailleur arm up and away from the cassette. Doing this, you open up a good amt. of space to remove the cassette (having first opened the brakes accordingly and loosened the nuts holding the wheel in the dropout)

other than that, I have all the same difficulties everyone else has- I'm not godly like DebW, with her leverless flat-fixing.

[velogirl]

Congrats!

Here's an easier tip for dealing with the rear derailleur (and you won't get your fingers dirty).

Before removing the rear wheel, shift into the smallest cog. This moves the r.d. to it's outside limit away from the bike.

Then, face the rear of the bike with the saddle leaning on your hip. Place one hand on the saddle on one on the top of the rear wheel. Simultaneously push the wheel down while pulling up on the saddle (lifting the bike off the ground). Voila! The rear wheel will come right out.

[Bad JuJu]

Woo-hoo, eclectic! That's great!

Velogirl--thanks for the rear wheel tip. I'm not in a hurry to get a rear flat, but I'll try that trick next time I do.

[eclectic]

Thanks for the Cheers - they really do make a person feel good

AND thanks for the info on tire changing - I think I will print them off, laminate, and put it in w/ my tube, because I will NEVER remember how when on the road.

[velogirl]

http://www.velogirls.com/resources/p...tions/flat.htm

[chickwhorips]

woo hoo! congrats! great job!!!!