The bike?
Hey Mr Eng.
I salvaged the bike from a skip about 15/16 years ago and rode it regularly for a few years , then, in 2010, on the first father's day after my dad died I decided it would be nice to ride to his grave and put some flowers on. It was a round trip of ~140 miles so along with a couple of mates I went into training, we started off doing about 5 miles and worked our way up.
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The fathers day ride became a regular thing for the next five or six years.
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After that I sort of became attached to the bike, even to the extent of refusing the offer of a much better model that someone was getting rid of. I didn't ride it much any more, but I wouldn't part with it.
Moving on...
For the last couple of years I've been jogging a couple of miles about 3 times a week, nothing earth-shattering, just a steady plod really, but it's been good for me and I sort of look forward to it in a masochistic kind of way.
Then, about two months ago I developed a foot ligament problem called plantar fasciitis which stopped me from jogging. I'd had it before and it eventually went away but it took well over a year.
I didn't want to give up my little exercise regime so I got the bike out again.
After a couple of months of use, the chain started jumping off the sprockets. (Not a pleasant experience when you're going up hill and standing on the pedal)
I have to hold my hands up here, I've been riding this bike for almost two decades and all I've done transmission-wise is add a spot of oil now and then.
When I had a proper look, everything was absolutely shot. It's a miracle it worked for as long as it did.
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So I treated it to a brand, new chain and a set of sprockets back and front. (£70, I couldn't get my breath)
I'm expecting at least another 20 years out of it now.
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