Advice sought from list

[reynoldslugs]

Dear Rivendell Friends,

 

I really need some advice, which I hope this group can provide.  I am at my wit’s end and need help.

 

It’s kind of a long story, but here goes: my wife and I have been happy for many years, of course riding bikes together a great deal.  Lately, though, she has been withdrawn and does not communicate much with me.  She doesn’t want to ride with me much these days, and goes on long rides, which she says are “alone.” However, I have seen her out on the roads with a young, good looking rider.  She is going out more and more often on these long, “solo” rides.

 

Yesterday she went on a long “ride” - - she said she was going “alone.” In the long lonely hours, I busied myself in the garage, tuning bikes and truing wheels. Late in the afternoon, I was adjusting my derailleur when I happened to glance out the window, and saw her riding up with her “friend.”  They seemed to take their time saying good-by…

 

I didn’t want them to see me through the window, so I crouched down behind my 1999 Rivendell Road Standard.  As I was kneeling down, I noticed a small crack in the drive-side chainstay. 

 

My question is, do you guys think the cracked chainstay is a legitimate warranty item? Will Riv “make good” on a repair for me, after all these years?

 

Signed,

 

Perplexed in Poughkeepsie

[Deacon Patrick]

Dear Perplexed,

It depends entirely on the length of your wife's friend's crank.

With abandon,

Patrick

[murphyjrfk]

Hahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahah! Even-beloved Sheldon- would have his work cut out w this group! Lovely stuff.

[sameness]

Dear Penthouse Letters,

I never thought this could happen to me. I know it sounds like some crazy fantasy, but every word is true. One day, out in the tool shed...

[doc]

Dear Perplexed,

 

The root of your problem, if you can admit its a problem, is your riding style.  Ascribing to the Rivendell aesthetic, I'm guessing you tend to mash without concern for technique or a constant, controlled, application of power during your stroke.  While this can provide you with momentary gratification, it no doubt will lead to friction and an occassional sense of listlessness.  You will tire of your bike, and she, err it, will tire of you. 

 

I suggest you approach your riding style with less focus on the destination, and more on the journey.  Relax and let the joy of the ride develop gradually.  Listen to your bike, and respond when you sense it wants to sprint forward.  Most of all, to quote a noted expert in this field, just ride.

 

Trust me,

[Bill Lindsay]

That broken chainstay is a blessing.  That Rivendell was too darn stiff to start with.  Now it will plane.  Be thankful.  

[Ron Mc]

It still worries me that Bugs in drag is just as attractive as Jessica Rabbit.  

[Liesl]

Oh friends, April fools or no, let's not go down this double entendre'd road too far. I for one am still recovering from the whaddaya wear under yer helmet fiasco.

-Riv Chica Warrior

[Chris in Redding, Ca.]

You lucky dog! I am sure she is only looking for a threesome. I consider this a healthy development. Go with it and keep us posted. Pics or it didn't happen. 

Chris

Redding, Ca.

[Surlyprof]

 Dear Perplexed in Poughkeepsie,

You need to know the truth.  There is only one way to handle this sort of situation.  Sit down with your wife, look her straight in the eye and ask the important questions... Can her "friend" weld?  How good is he good at it?

Best of luck that he's certified.

John

(My wife is not allowed to have a "friend" unless he does drywall!)

On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 10:00:00 AM UTC-7, reynoldslugs wrote:

[John]

Grant wrote a whole chapter on love & bicycle issues, give him a call and ask for his advice.

Unless, of course, you're just crankin' our chains.

John

[reynoldslugs]

John and friends,

yep, just crackin' your chains.

Happy April Fool's.  I recycle this one every few years and send it to Grant and John, this year I included the list.

Thanks for indulging my foolishness.

For the record:

None of my Rivendells have ever cracked or developed any other problem; and I hope the joke wasn't offensive to anyone.

(That said, Grant suggested I start using Tiagra, which pretty much took care of everything).

thanks all

Was Perplexed, now Proud in Poughkeepsie