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I was tempted to head over to Lasne today, but as I just wanted to “flame away” without paying too much attention to direction, I decided to go for a mixed ride. This meant some tarmac, some of the Overijse trails, and then some tarmac again.

I felt especially frustrated today, not being in top condition biking-wise. All this nice weather, and my body can’t cope with the desirable distances. Long gone seems those days when I did long-distance mountain biking. Well, who knows, maybe next summer I’ll be back to my old self?

Testing the new small ring on my bike, hoping that it would have put an end to my month-long hassle of low gears jumping, I exasperated when I heard the by now habitual sounds, and the subsequent release of support. What can I do??? If the bike shop can’t figure out what’s wrong with my bike, then who can?? Did it get damaged somewhere? Do I need a completely new bike? Terrible thought!

I stopped, unstraddled, and took a long look at my own bike. Normally I leave the scrutinizing for the bike shop. What else am I paying them dearly for?? Hang on … what’s THAT?? A limp shifting cable! Surely it shouldn’t be like that?? *blonde*

“Ok, here goes” I thought, and I started tampering with the ends of the cable. Turning the end by the shifters did not change much. But when I turned the end by the rear derailleur … HEL-LO!

As I got back up on the bike, 95% of my gear problems were gone. Shite, did I just have the small ring changed in vain?

Who cares! I was flying! And my legs felt strong. I had not noticed how I had grown accustomed to not pushing to my fullest, due to fears of the gears letting go (once or twice I almost killed myself when the chain jumped).

The weekends are far too short! I am sure you all agree!

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