Hey, guys, thanks for all the commiserating about the Campy wheels!

I went to LBS and my favorite guy was behind the counter (no, Nanci, not Dennis, he's the owner, it turns out, and almost never there). John. I like him because he's calm, but not comatose. He has a sense of humor. As it turns out, there were two problems:

1. Old tube--little bit of valve had snapped off. "It happens", he said. "OK," said I, "did it happen because of anything *I* did?" Maybe pulling the pump off the valve sideways. Always pull it straight back.

2. New tube--valve too short to use with my pump. I have a universal valve on the pump (this is the famous pink pump), and the valve must be at least 45mm long to inflate it with that pump. "We don't even sell this tube", he said. I replied, "I bought it here the day I bought my bike." Hmmmm. Sorry. He gave me a new tube, a new replacement tube, and three new levers, blue, a heavier, more flexible plastic.

He ordered a telescoping speed lever for me, a home version of what they use in the store. I also learned some good tricks for dealing with the Campy wheels.

A funny note: There was a new silver bike leaning up against the counter. I glanced at it and thought, "What a beautiful bike", then looked more closely. It was a Marin Larkspur, my original bike! When I say I love my old bike, I'm not kidding! I love both of my bikes. I feel a lot better about racing the Bianchi now. And glad that I have such tough tires. I would've had to change the tube anyways, since the broken valve wouldn't hold air pressure. But happily, nothing had punctured the tube. I ride over all the usual city crap--glass, metal, rocks, broken pavement. I avoid it when I can, but often can't do much.

I'm so happy that I'm going to ride the Bianchi to work tomorrow, and just double lock it in the clinic's basement. Plus I cover it with my sweaty riding clothes, to make it look less interesting to anybody who's looking. L.