Hi all,

I went outside this morning to find only my front wheel locked to the parking sign instead of my whole bike. My mind immediately (and desperately) reasoned, "Wait! Maybe that's not mine! Maybe I parked mine somewhere else!" But no, that's my lock, and that's my wheel. *sigh*

Sad point #1: This bike was a no-name mountain bike I bought for $10 six months ago. The frame was heavy, the wheels and chain were rusted out, and the brakes were borderline safety hazards. But I loved her. She was the bike that made me fall in love with riding and led me to sites like this one. I was gonna replace her in the spring with either a decent hybrid or a refurbished LBS mountain bike, but dammit if someone else didn't just push the timeline up for me.

Sad point #2: I had brought the LBS gift certificate I got for Christmas with me to work today. I was all excited about finally getting a helmet (been guiltily riding on city sidewalks all this time), tail light, ankle straps, etc.

Thanks for letting me vent, and humoring my self-pity. I thought that if anyone would understand, it'd be y'all. I feel like a little kid without her favorite toy.

*sigh x 2*