Top is the new Shimano Altus, bottom is the old Shimano Sora.
On the NEBC women’s ride last Tuesday I was getting plenty of grief from a teammate on the state of my bike. The Trek was making all sorts of noise, skipping gears, fun times. Since the bottom bracket started creaking on the Fuji last week, it was time for a trip to the shop on Saturday. I brought the Fuji up and picked up a new chain and 8 speed derailleur for the Trek.
Of course I couldn’t get the Fuji to creak at all when at the shop, but Bill did fix a number of issues with the rear derailleur anyway, so at least it shifted better. When I got home I also installed the new parts onto the Trek, and though I haven’t ridden it yet, it’s working much better (it’ll actually stay in gear!). The derailleur that was on it was the original Sora from 2002, so I’m surprised it lasted as long as it has.
Yesterday I planned on joining the Quad Cycles group ride from Arlington, and somehow got myself in with the 65 mile group. I also rode to the shop from my house, which is 14 miles. I was looking at 14 + 65 + 14 + 7 to make the century. I’ve never ridden a century before, so this would be a challenge.
The ride down was uneventful, except for the fact that the bottom bracket started creaking again (arg!). It’s rhythmic at least. I rode slow so I would be semi-fresh for the ride start, and I was. It helped that most of the route was my commute to work anyway, so I didn’t have to bother with directions.
We headed from the shop on Mass ave, then onto the bike path until Bedford where we split into groups. I would ride with Tsun, Lynda, Emily and two other guys that I don’t remember the names of (sorry!). One had a Sky edition Pinarello with the loudest freewheel ever, and the other would be a first-time PMC rider with a Camelbak. Therefore, Sky guy and Camelbak guy. Oops just found out Sky guy is John.
Here we are at mile 50. L to R: Emily, Tsun, Me (in my sweet club kit), Camelbak guy, John. Lynda was the photographer.
The ride overall was sweet. Some tough climbing, awesome descent and few sketchy roads or incidents. I had never ridden that far out west before, at least from home. The furthest was doing Oak Hill with the NEBC rides. Speaking of, we did Oak Hill yesterday, and it was my first time climbing it without stopping for a breather, and most was done in the 25 instead of the 28. Baby steps.
The Fuji at Lexington Battle Green
Eventually, we got tired. I got really tired, having done 14 more miles then those schmucks (I kid!) so I slowed down quite a bit. I managed to put in an almost 30mph sprint, which was probably a bad idea. Lynda and I ended up riding together for the last few miles, and we headed to the bike path to get back to our respective destinations. Her back to Quad to pick up tires, I to Lexington to tap out for the day, enjoy a smoothie and wait for Ryan to pick me up. Mileage for the day was 80.8, and I could do no more. Next time maybe I will be able to do the last 14 + 7.
One thing I forgot to mention, since I don’t like to think about it, is at our midway stop in Harvard (for green tea and scones) I rested the bike up against a cement post, and the bike slid and fell. This left some pretty nasty paint scrapes (down to the aluminum) on the top tube. 
Thankfully it’s only on the black paint, so a little sandpaper and touch-up paint should take care of it.
Here’s the ride from yesterday, as according to Strava:
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