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What a lousy day

I knew I shouldn't have gone for a bike ride this morning!

I was tired, it was cold outside (44°F), and I just didn't have it in me to go for a bike ride, but I also know whenever I choose not to ride, for what ever reason, I end up regretting it even more. So I dawned all my winter riding clothes (gloves, tights, booties & cap), and headed out.

The ride started out fine. It was cold, and overcast, but along the coast the weather always seems to moderate some, so I knew I would be fine. I just only wish the weather was the only thing I had to worry about.

As we headed out, I could hear the [dreaded] clicking from my bike starting up again. [I thought I had solved that problem twice previously.] It started out faintly, but with my ears covered, and the wind blowing past them, I could barely hear it. So I continued down the coast, hoping I was just imagining it.

Of course I wasn't [imagining it]. The further down the coast I went, the more pronounced the sound became. I stopped, and tried adjusting the quick releases on the wheels, tightened up my cleats and everything else I could think of, but to no avail. The sound only got worse, and I was forced to turn around. I knew I wouldn't be able to endure another 10 miles down the coast, and the 24 miles back home. Heck, I barely made it back home from where I was, without being driven crazy by the noise.

I was just so pissed! Why does this keep happening?

About two months ago, I thought I had solved the problem by changing the cleats on my shoes, and re-greasing the pedals, and for about 3 weeks I was successful. There was no noise. Then I thought maybe it was the quick releases causing the problem. I purchased new heavy duty steel quick releases, and again I was met with success. It just didn't last for very long (about 3 weeks), and the noise returned again today.

I ended up working most of today trying to solve the problem. I changed wheels, tried different quick releases, re-greased the pedals, and re-tightened everything again, with little success.

Finally I decided to change pedals (the other ones were pretty old), and for now, the clicking seems to have gone away. I only wish I knew for how long. I'll know more tomorrow.

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