Random bits

 I planned on riding today, put on my thermal tights this morning and my fleece bolero over my jersey.  Then realized how cold it was in the house. I put on a windbreaker too.  Then I took the compost out to the garden, and I realized it was raining a very fine mist.  The weather report said partly cloudy and mid-50's, but no rain.  So I decided I didn't really feel like getting chilled a long way from home, and decided to wait until this afternoon to ride somewhere closer to home than the trip to Paris I had planned.  Paris, Ohio, that is. 

So I went to my knitting studio and worked on my bicycling hat. 

It is now afternoon, and it is still cloudy and chilly.  I was excited to find that my package containing a rear pannier rack that I had ordered from Cycling Kinetics for my new bike had arrived.  I brought my bike into the kitchen (because it was still cold in the garage) and set about installing the rack. 

The rack came disassembled.  Because I had to specify my year, make and model, I assume that the components for the rack are put together for each order.  I assembled all the pieces, using the provided tools, and tried to attach it to the bike, only to find that the bracket/clamp that goes around the seatpost is too small in diameter to fit this bike.  Darn it! 

I bought it through PayPal and my credit card, so I should have no trouble getting a refund, even if there is a dispute from the company.  I sent off a couple of emails, one to the company I ordered it from, and one to the company that charged me through Paypal.  I diassembled everything and put it back in the box.   SO SAD.  

Friday is my appointment with the bike fitting specialist, Tom Wiseman with Cycling Solutions in Akron.  He has years of training and is certified with four different organizations.

• Professional Bike Mechanics Association
• Bike Fit
• International Bike Fitting Institute
• Serotta International Cycling Institute

I am especially disappointed that the rack did not fit the bike, as he specifically requested that I bring everything I plan to ride with on the bike.  I was so glad when it came today!   But I am sure he can deal with the situation. 

Since my first ride on the new bike, I have been having different aches and pains than normal.  So I know that it needs adjustment.  I am really looking forward to having a bike that fits for the weekend!