mechanics and physics all in one day

Mon, Dec 22, 2008

Being about 65 miles from the nearest bike shop means I have to be self sufficient in the repair dept. but the latest job has seen the winter bike off the road for a few months as it needs a freehub overhaul. Getting the wheel to Off Beat Bikes in Fort William meant planning ahead to get a cheap bus ticket as the ferry/train combo is too restrictive at this time of year, so I never got round to it. Today though, I resolved to hit Kyle in the search for a monster adjustable spanner and as luck would have it, the Western Tool truck was in town and I managed to get a foot-long corker for 20 quid. Back at the eBothy shed, I wrapped the chain whip round the cogs, stuck in the gizmo and clamped The Monster onto it. A few huffs, puffs and groans and the job was done. Cogs off, axle and bearings out and cleaned. They’re now drying after their citrus bath, awwww!

While I was playing at Dr. Frankenstein in the shed the postie dumped a load of mail in the porch so I left the disassembled hardware to dry off before reassembling tomorrow, cleaned myself up and opened the mail. And what do you think I found? A certificate from the Institute of Physics declaring I’d been voted a full member, signed by Jocelyn Bell Burnell, no less.

And me standing there covered in oil, holding The Monster! What would those physicists say!