I had thought about locking it while in the locker, but I was short of funds through the autumn. Given that they disassembled the door, I doubt a cheap lock would have helped.

Upstairs, I do lock the bike I’m not currently riding. I use a cable around the front tire, through the radiator, then to a U-lock through the rear triangle. For a while I locked both bikes, but it was just too big a pain threading the cable through the other bike and to the radiator and back when I was home anyway. Although I do that if I leave both bikes at home for some weird reason.

Although some of the parts I lost were new and slated for future use—cables, chains, cleats, all the cheap stuff—others were used and destined for the bike club’s swap meet in March—the crankset and brifters, for example. I bought new for Yellow Bike, but the old ones still had some miles left, so I saved them..

Hndlebar:

I thought the same thing when I first read John’s comment. He doesn’t look a day over 54 and he lost a bike in the Lincoln administration?

As for hills, yeah I need work. A mile-and-a-half of 2% grade kills me on the way home from work. Every night I wonder about the silliness of a 30-mile grade averaging 6-7%.

I’d like to do that climb to Perry a few times along with the one out of Letchworth and others like it.

I see you’re signed-up for GFLBT. I sent in my check yesterday. As much as I despised those climbs last year, this year they’re part of my training plan. I’d only have to do 3½ repeats of that one climb to get the distance part anyway. Still no clue how to train for the elevation. Perhaps a plastic bag over my head?

Edit: Found this on BikeJournal tonight, only posting part of it here:

• 2% grade does not seem very steep, but it’s enough to substantially reduce forward speed, and for most riders it will absorb more than half their power output. This grade is the frustrating grade because at times it’s barely noticeable, so you’ll be tempted to climb it faster than you probably should.
• 6% grade is enough to cut speed to well under half, and absorb more than 80% of a rider’s power output (leaving less than 20% to fight air resistance and rolling friction). Most of the long climbs in Colorado are at 6%. Finding a sustainable speed (5-8 mph) is essential.

Michael

Sorry to hear about your loss. I had missed the info from Shana, I guess I’m too Part-time!
Maybe it’s time to lock the bikes even when secure in the storage area?

All the times that I’ve left my garage wide open and no one has touched a thing. Of course they have to walk up the hill and some of my bikes are very unique. I doubt anyone would steal my Bent, that’s for sure.

If you need any parts, just ask, I’ll see what I have for spares.

Chris