RAIN, RAIN, RAIN

I am getting tired of all the rain...it has not stopped raining since Saturday and both the weather channel and NOAA national weather say it will not be dry again until the middle of next week. I am going crazy not being able to ride my mountain bike.

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY

I wonder if getting a new bike would be cheaper?

Over the past year I have had to replace wheels ($70.00 used), tires ($30.00 each), pedals ($24.00 each), bottom bracket bearing ($60.00), and the freewheel (called a cassette on newer bikes) with a used part as the new ones are not very well built according to Jae my bike mechanic. Now it looks as if I need to replace the center pull brake assemblies front and rear and because the bike is old they are special order at $40.00 each. I really should replace the front and rear derailers as they are quite worn after 25 years of shifting. They run around $50.00 each.  I have not included labor costs as I do not remember them.  I guess fixing the bike is still cheaper.  Because I priced out a Mountain Bike like mine and they start at $2000.00 and go up.  Twenty-five years ago it was a lot cheaper $300.00 for the top of the line bikes.  I guess I will keep riding my old friend for as long as the frame holds up.

Old bike rider with old bike

Marching Along

It is already March, a quarter of the year gone already.  Weather and other issues have kept me from riding every day.  So far I have 350 miles toward my goal of 600 miles for the month of March.  Should be able to hit that goal is I can manage a 40 mile bike ride each day it does not rain.  Yike, just realized that I turn 60 years old in 7 days!