cool... oh shit not cool

I had my bike serviced on Friday and the crank set replaced in hope of stopping the chain suck problem. They did a good job servicing it – I must say they were better than I was expecting. The mechanic and I decided there was enough wear in the chain and rear cassette not to replace them. And there goes the “oh shit” part – on my first ride, in the flat, I bust the chain. It popped off where I had previously used the chain breaker so it was a weak link.

My chain breaker was not up to the job to remove the link easily. The arm kept bending and I ended up with really sore hands. In the end I lost three links trying to get the thing apart. Cheap chain breaker – and possibly there is a difference between 8 speed and 9 speed chain breakers. 40 mins later and I have it apart.

So now my chain is short, not shifting properly and I will have to replace my chain and rear cluster. So what had been a cheaper than expected trip to the bike shop will be followed up with an other visit to spend the same kind of dollars.

31. October 2005 »

Drat, there goes more money

3 weeks ago, cruising though the forest I go on my bike and I get chain suck going from the middle ring to the smallest ring. I did not notice that the Derailleur was all twisted (as I was trying not to fall off since it happened going up a hill). So when I changed back up again the Derailleur caught on the biggest ring – a bit of grinding later the Derailleur arm ripped.

So one new Derailleur later and I was back on my bike, only to have chain suck 2 weeks later! This time off the biggest ring. Luckily the Derailleur only bent a little bit (not that I have been able to straighten it).

Looking on the web it sounds like it is wear that is the problem – in the year I have had the bike I have done 4100km of which about 900km is through the sandy forest. Explains the wear. I have booked it into the shop tomorrow – first time it has needed to go in in a year so not too bad, and realistically it is only going in as I do not have the tools to replace the parts myself. Hopefully it is not going to be expensive.

27. October 2005 »

That was stupid

A run and a game of squash in the same weekend – should be doable, but when you have not done either in a year, it is not a good idea to do both in the same weekend!

I am walking a bit slow this afternoon. Not so bad once I get moving, but hard to start. Still I enjoyed both the run and the squash so that is good – really got to get back into both of them. It will make me fitter for mountain biking.

Joss too is feeling a bit the same playing a full on netball game after being off sick. The things we do!

15. August 2005 »

About time

Finally, I went for a ride again. It has been weeks since I last went though the forest. With being sick for 4 weeks and my last ride before then cut short when the seat bolt snapped, I have lost a bit of fitness.

Anyway I got out and really enjoyed the ride – first full ride with the clip in shoes and it felt good. I have adjusted the cleat location on both shoes and think it is about right now. Just need to be back up to full speed to get used to them and to know when I should clip out and not.

3. July 2005 »

Holiday Over

Only hours left of our holiday! Yip we shot over to the Gold Coast, Australia for a few days holiday and also had a couple of days off since returning. Very nice.

We were a little worried heading out as only days before Joss and I both got hit with a bug requiring bowls at both ends – I guess you get the picture. So having had colds for a good 4 weeks prior, then only days before to be stuck in bed (in between frequent visits to the bathroom), we were worried. But it all worked out well in the end.

We all travelled well and crashed once we got there in the evening. After a good sleep we were up in shorts and t-shirts making the most of the lovely weather. You could tell the locals, they were wrapped up warm, where as most holiday makers were in shorts. The sea was not warm enough to swim in (in our opinion, although there were plenty out there). But the beach was beautiful and we spent hours there. Brook transformed back into his old fun self, having little energy with his cold.

We caught up with Jenny (Cam’s sister) who lives in Brisbane. She is going very well there and it was great to catch up. We also ran into John and Pauline (Joss’s Uncle and Aunt). Funny you have to go to Oz to run into family from back home (Auckland admittedly, so not just around the corner).

And tomorrow, it is back to work. At least it is for one day then we have the weekend. That was partly planned – I aim to return just before the weekend as it gives you a day to clear the email then you get a break. But this time I have some financial year end processing to do to, so it worked out well.

Later, Cam.

30. June 2005 »

Sick, Jury Service, and poor sleep

What a week! Out of the last 9 nights Brook has slept well twice. The dreaded cold is at the Simpson household as the moment. So we have had a quieter week and not as much exercise as normal even with Joss’s ankle finally coming right after she hurt it playing netball.

Cam had Jury Service this week which was very interesting. I was chosen for the Jury – no messing around with coming in each morning and going away not being selected, so that was good (luckily the case was not a murder case or anything very nasty). It was interesting and an eye opener to the NZ justice system.

13. June 2005 »

4 years old!

Brook turned 4 today! Wow that is totally amazing. We find it hard to believe he is now 4 years old and next birthday will mark the beginning of school! The years do seem to slip by when you have a measuring stick like a small child who changes so quickly.

Brook had a great day and received a lot of presents – thanks to you all. Despite the excitement building over the week beforehand, Brook actually slept in this morning and we woke him up! And the treasure hunt began – we had placed clues around the house that lead to a cabinet filled with presents. Brook loved his special mix of Blues Clues and a classic treasure hunt. Lots of fun capped of with McD’s for lunch.

11. June 2005 »

What is hanging?

Hope you all are making the most of the long weekend. I have been keeping it reasonably quiet – have a cold which is not great. Hopefully though none of us will have one when we go to Oz.

Joss has been very busy with netball. She is pleased her ankle is healing up nicely and that she managed not only a full game, but also refereeing a game straight afterwards.

6. June 2005 »