On finding the rusty bolt

and the last step before you walk away

I have my winter project dear reader.

In addition to training for another season of riding, I’m building up that old bike.

Though I love that old bike, but its brakes are weak and the old bars would murder my shoulders and upper back.

And the cranks?

I had one break under heavy pedaling. I was attempting to sneak through Spadina Avenue at Queen Street. I needed to time everything perfectly, lest I become a speed bump for a streetcar.

Those cranks are under a lifetime safety recall.

So I’m switching up some parts and replacing those cranks.

Luckily, dear reader, I don’t need to buy a lot of the parts.

Instead, I have a sacrificial parts bike.

It’s like harvesting kidneys.

That’s not true. It’s not at all like harvesting kidneys.

No one would complain about all of the have disassembled kidney carriages hanging around the yard.

The parts bike has been a willing donor - mostly.

Old pedals and seat posts - parts that frequently are about as cooperative as rush hour traffic - they came off without a hit…