Here is a lesson for all of us. Make sure you review my bike
maintenance article. I will send it to the group so everyone has it.

Basically my shifting was not 100% for the last few rides, but I
thought it just needed an adjustment after 2 years of perfect
shifting. I was wrong, and I noticed my rear shifting cable was
fraying early into the ride. It got to the point where I only had 2-3
gears in the back in the middle of the cassette.

Fortunately, Enrique knew Sal, who showed up on the 100 mile training
ride. Sal has a bike shop in his basement and the route took us right
by his house. We arrived around 9am, and Sal had my fixed up in no
time. Had I been on the 200 miler with a bad cable, I would not have
been able to complete the ride. Following my own maintenance advice
would have prevented this problem.

As you know, we had some rain on Sunday, so we the 6 riders that
showed up got very wet, and to top it off, it was cold! Lloyd and I
bagged the ride in Brewster and took the train home. We saw lots more
rain from the train. I have done enough road riding not to miss the
rain. If it was a hot summer day, I would have gone on, but a raining
cold spring day is where I draw the line.

So 4 riders braved the rain and the cold and completed the remaining
40 miles in the wet.

Now is the time to announce if you are planning on riding on Sunday
and trying to find others at your speed. This is what the group is
for, so start posting.

Bruce