What an off the norm week

After last week replacing the crank bearing I decided I might need to actually pull the finger out and do an overall maintenance check. So it really didn't come as any surprise to find that the seam of the rear wheel had decided to crack about 3/4 the way through. So it was off to Cabarita Beach Cycles again to see if Jeff thought it was still safe to ride! It was possible that riding over rough gravel roads might allow the wheel to collapse and cause an accident. So I ordered a new rear wheel.

While waiting for the wheel to arrive (7days) I decided to ride the mountain bike. After just 1 night loop I wasn't that happy with the feel and decided to ride "Old Humphery"  the old Malvern Star from the tip. At the start of the week it was quite fun with just the differences making for new experiences. By the end of the week after 150kms the little ticks, clunks, bumps and clangs started to make for an annoying ride rather than an exciting new experience. By Friday night I could hardly wait for the new wheel to the point where I just, and thats just, rode the loop at a very slow leisurely pace.

The only thing of note this week was a few snakes to avoid and a couple of wallabys scared off beside the road. One night had a pretty cresent moon in a clear stary night with a pleasent slight south breeze blowing, a night to stop occassionally to take in the temperate autumn effect.

Anyway got the wheel fitted today with a new cluster and chain. So to give it a light workout. After the 10k cuircut return trip to Caba in the morning, I couldn't wait until tonight so started of at 4:00pm towards Cudgera Creek thinking of doing a Waba road loop, but the few snakes during the week turned me off this and so I decided to keep it simple and rode over to Burringbah through to Moobal and on to Wooyung then on to Pottsville against a mild head-crosswind to home giving me an loop of 44kms.

So 54kms for the day and 200+ for the week. And only a couple of very light showers during the time in the saddle.

That was quite a different tone to the week. I hope that this sees an end to repairs for the hybrid for a while! Jeff was kind enough to trade labour so it was only a matter of me paying for parts but that so far this year is climbing above $300.00.....