After 8 long months off the bike, I decided it was time to get back out there!  I have missed it like crazy.  The best part of Daylight Savings is being able to ride after work.  I've only been out a half dozen times, but that's six more times than I've gone since August.  The first day back I was SO giddy to be out there!  Well,  apparently my bike was a little bent out of shape that I had neglected her for so long and decided to rebel.

The other day I went out for an easy ride - hoping to loosen up my legs in anticipation of submitting myself to OLH the following day.  Well, 45 minutes into it, I stood to wait for traffic before turning onto Portola Valley road.  As I crossed the intersection, I heard clankety clank clank.  I looked back and found I no longer had a saddle.  The bolt holding the saddle to the seat post broke clean in half.  I counted my lucky stars that it didn't happen while I was moving any faster OR sitting down.  I'm sure it would have ended in another "incident" or trip to the doctor.   As it was, I collected the parts and called Lee to come rescue me.  Some ask why I didn't just ride all the way home sitting down?  Well, I did attempt it for the first mile or so - but combining a descent with an overpass/loop to the highway and during peak traffic - I opted for the more conservative approach and waited for my rescuer.  I'm so glad I married a boy with a pickup.  :)  This isn't the first time he's come to my aid.

(The following paragraphs are most likely only interesting to those who cycle -- consider yourself warned)

I thought fixing the broken bolt would be super easy and I'd be back out in no time.   I went and found a bolt at the local bike shop, took it home to fix it - only to find that it wouldn't tighten completely.  So I went BACK to the shop and they told me I must have lost a washer back at the scene of the crime and I would need a new seat post if I couldn't find a spare.  They couldn't help me out as they aren't Giant dealers.  So off I went to shop #2 in hopes of finding a cheaper solution than a new post.  (At this point I texted Lee to update him on the situation and warn him of the price of a new seat post.  Thought I should get a feel for what he thought.  This is how amazing he is - his response: "But you gotta ride! :)" I certainly married the best man!)

As luck would have it - Shop 2 had a washer.   BUT it turns out that the bolt had stripped the gadget required to strap in the saddle.  Thus, my only option IS a new seat post.  Shop #2's post options would have broken the bank (even with cute Lee's response, I couldn't do it), so I returned to Shop #1 (third trip) to buy the more affordable post.  Only this time, the guy realized he didn't have the exact seat post I needed and would have to order it.  But offered to sell me a cheap, temporary solution that would get me back on my bike.  (He did this all after hours since I snuck in the door without realizing the "Closed" sign was posted.) Cheap fix, great! As long as I can ride tomorrow.  So home I went to get it all set up.  No sooner did I place the saddle on the post than I realized this cheap version was TOO cheap and wasn't going to work.  It would have my saddle aiming straight down -- that is NOT going to work.  Looks like a fourth trip back to the bike shop is in order. I would be completely and entirely annoyed and frustrated at this point if I didn't have the brilliant idea (only it came 2 days late) to transfer the seat post and saddle from my old bike to my current bike.  YAY! I'm going to be able to ride afterall!