The Dream-Day 97

Took off at 7am for a 5 1/2 hr endurance ride that lasted 7 hrs. Everything was going well until I was 2:15 into it when my gears decided not to work. I stopped, borrowed a tool from a fellow cyclist, but couldn't fix it. McGyver needed a rubber band and some chewing gum. So, I rode with 2 gears for about 45 minutes. Pulled out the trusty iPhone and Googled bike stores in Farmingdale, NY. Found Adventure Cycles & Sports (www.gorideabike.com) a mere 5 miles away.

I was a about 1/4 mi from the store when the other cable, the one that moves the chain from between the small and large ring (the one on the left side of the handlebars), snapped. I made it to the shop and Carlos, the owner, took care of everything. It was a delicate job as both cable heads were jammed in the housing and it took him 1/2 hr of fishing around with what looked like a dental instrument to remove them. If it were me, I would have probably thrown the bike against the wall to get the suckers out. I strongly recommend giving Carlos your business. He's a great guy. Plus, he's located a few stores down from Runner's Edge where everyone I know shops for running and tri gear.

I left and continued on my 90 mi journey relieved that I only had to deal with the myriad of a-hole drivers, crappy roads, and broken glass. Really, are people that lame that they can't find a garbage can to spike their empty beverage?

I returned home at 2 and threw on the running shoes for a quick 10' 1.2 mi brick. Coach told me to weigh myself before and after. I lost 4lbs (2.4%). I lost 5lb on the last long ride and felt like crap after 4hrs. So, I took in an extra 4oz/hr this time. I'm tired, but definitely not train wreck worthy. I think this is right where I need to be.