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Last night I decided to give the bike a good clean, in the vain hope that all the rain is over for a while.

Bought a new can of degreaser and gave it a good polish. Wheels off and scrubbed, chain made shiny, brakes adjusted, the works.

As I was re-tensioning the chain, trouble struck. Try as I might, I couldn't get the wheel to line up straight withe the chain tight. Then something dropped to the floor, I looked down and saw half a washer shaped thing - fuck, I broke something.

I have no idea how I did it, but the bit that grips to the drop out from the inside of the frame , not the track nut, has snapped in two.

Does anyone know whether this ia common problem or if I am an idiot? Also, how do I fix it? Can I buy the washer thingy on it's own and do I need any special tools to thread it onto my hub?

Ideally want to get it fixed in time for CM tomorrow...

Cheers,

Matt

Birmingham -> Ohio -> Worcester -> Cambridge -> Welwyn Garden City (worst. place. ever.) -> London.

Always been central in London: barbican, King's Cross and now Bloomsbury.

Laura got pregnant so they moved back to Worcester to become happy parents.

Also, the fact that they left the flat for about 1 hour a week was beginning to affect their ability to function in the real world!

That last bit is maybe speculation on my part...

The John Snow used to be managed by a couple of mates of mine, Nibbs and Laura if any of you know them? They had the cushiest number: They got the flat on top fo the pub for free, free beer, free food and a load of aussies to actually run the place for them. Once they realised that they could put 'miscellaneous herbs' on the kitchen accounts to cover other relaxants it got a bit silly.

Many a wonderful hour, sitting up in their flat and ringing down to the bar staff to send pints up in the dumb waiter. Love the John Snow.

So lpg, how does the Ditchiling Beacon compare to HGWH on fixed? I've been beaten by the beacon on gears and can't imagine it on a 70+" gear...

I've even seen people playing unicycle polo on the courts under the westway. Seems like a good venue.

I may show up too, my original plan was to go and get some hill climbing practice in for Thursday, but beer sounds tempting. I'll be on a black and white Condor with black and white tyres. (And a blue helmet, do they even allow those in The Duke?)

31trum, I had the same problem, fixed threads only on one side. Guy at Condor suggested that I put a fixed sprocket on the freewheel side and then use a Miche carrier as a lock ring. This works becasue the carrier has the same thread diameter as the sprocket.

It basically works like a washer, even if the sprocket is under enough torque to undo, it won't undo the carrier because the friction between them is not enough to spin the carrier too. Basically increases the required force to unscrewn them both. Not perfect, and I try not to skid stop much on that side, but it does work.

I geek for EMI, which either makes geeking slightly glamourous or the music industry very uncool. Not sure which and to be honest I think it changes from day to day :-)

My favourite (in London) is Queen's Square - quiet, secluded and a decent lap length. It also has a lovely little pub (Queens Larder) for spectator refreshments.

OK, so I'm gonna admit, she's called Betty (and she is the third best ride I've ever had, maybe)

rkn - of course female, it's an old thing, started for ships, I think.

mr smith - what's your penis called? ;-)

Ok, looks like I've got a pacing partner in rkn.

If my ride home has my legs feeling amazing then I'll swing by the park, if not, see you in a week or two...

(my inner voice is saying - "don't be a pussy". (my other inner voice is reminding me of not being able to play football very well at school. (my other other inner voice is wondering if I need a therapist!)))

I could be persuaded, but am not sure I can take the humiliation...

I was starting to feel better, reading your post velocity boy, until you mentioned 47x16. Dammit!

So, I finally got around to trying our Highgate West on Saturday - seemed like a good idea as I had just switched to 48x19 from my usual 48x17.

All was going pretty well, with the lungs heaving but definite progress being made, when disaster struck. The bloody road works half way up have temporary traffic lights and they went red just on the corner before the steep bit. Big cars coming t'other way so no way of snicking through.

I couldn't get my momentum up again after stopping and had to throw in the towel about 50 yards from the top.

I am a bit embarrassed to be honest. :-(
Has anyone else been humbled by it?

I totally agree, the shortening of the ride on Sunday is to make it tempting for Hybrid riding mate.

I'm definitely gonna use this place to try to get some rides together :-)

Well, I am cheating by getting the train to Elsenham, then am going to take this route.

If I was going to go the whole way, I'd probably head for Walthamstow and then onto Epping before turning north for Harlow and then Bishop's Stortford. Short hop from there to join the route above.

It's a ride I really want to get in before taking on the Dunwich this summer. As always, I'd be up for company...

Yeah, jumping the train out to Elsenham and then cycling on up to Cambridge on Sunday. About 25 miles at a sedate pace as am going with a friend on a hybrid!

I can't wait.