Bummer! Couldn't sleep all night finally falling asleep about 6 am. Woke up about 8 am then pretended that I was asleep but couldn't fool myself. Laying there wondering what to do, want to ride but figure I might not feel too good. But I decided to get up and ride seeing the weekend days without riding suck ha ha ha! One thing I did want to do was take my bike to a shop for a headset adjustment seeing I developed a slight knock about 3 weeks ago. So slight wasn't sure but felt it this past week like it was getting a little more obvious. Held it and rocked it back and forth and yup, I could feel it and front braking across cracked grounds, I could feel it. But I don't have the flat wrench for the old style threaded headset on my Canni.
So I figured I'd get up and go but maybe a quick stop at the shop down the street, Good Guys Cycling. Seems to be a mom and pop shop but maybe just a pop shop as I have never seen a femile in the place ha ha ha! I had gone in before needing some cap ends for cables and a cable for my derailleur. The dude ended up giving me the caps as they did not come with the cable I bought, he gave me a few actually which was cool. I went in when I needed a seat post as well but didn't have what I needed. Gina and I had gone in before just to look around and it seems the dude has a lot of old school stuff. Which is good because if I ever need and old part for my oldie, he might have it. Like the seat post, he had one for $20 but I needed a zero setback which he didn't have so I ended up spending $100 at another shop. $20 would have been nice.
So I went in there today to see how busy it was and getting up late, I figure the timing might be good. I walked in and it was empty, no customers. I asked the dude if he could do an adjustment but he said his mechanic wasn't coming in till 1 pm and it was 11:30 at the time. He asked me to come back but I said I was planning to ride so he asked me to come back after the ride when his mechanic was present. Kind of confused because I thought this dude had been there for years thinking he might know how to adjust the headset. But ok!
I actually think he might have thought I might be a dumb bike rider seeing I had an old bike. Surprise!!!! I asked how much an adjustment would be and he said maybe 20, maybe 40 if needed seals, or maybe not more than $30. I told him the headset was only 2 years old and for the first year, it was not ridden much at all so I'm pretty sure it's a quick adjustment with the 2 wrenches. He said come back when his mechanic was there so I asked if he could just sell me a flat wrench and I'd do it myself. He said it might be more than that, I'm sure it's not but ended up not having one to sell. So I said it would be no problem and I knew how to do it just didn't have the tool. I told him that I built my Madone and about 10 wheels so it would not be a problem for me to do it.
Then he said he would lend me his. Handed me a couple that were far too small, um ok! So then he finally gave me the right size. Uhhh ok, do you have a crescent wrench I can use to hold the top and he picked one up and asked, is this it? OK, C'mon! I think he was playing dumb hoping I would come back and put some faith into his mechanic. Not sure what the purpose was, maybe to give his guy a chance to make a few bucks.
Dude, gimme the tools. I held the bottom nut, loosened the top keeping note of where I was with the lower wrench. Then turned it about 1/8 of a turn to tighten the bearings, tightened the top nut and BAM!!! Freaking perfect! No knocking and smooth operation, voila!!! It took me all of 2 minutes ha ha ha! Probably surprised him that I did it so easy and quickly.
So I handed the tools back and said thanks, reached into my pocket and pulled out a $20 bill. I handed it to him and he said oh no but I insisted. He refused about 3 times but I insisted he take it. He was shocked then I told him that I realize he is running a business and I appreciate letting me use the tools. Then I told him about the caps he gave me in the past and told him that when I need it, remember me cause if I need help, he might help me out. He was surprised and happy then asked my name. I'm Mr. Beanz dammit!
Half asleep, took my bike out and rode it 25 miles. No sleep but dang it, I felt great! Fitness must be coming back because the flags at the golf course were moving pretty good but I didn't even feel the wind today. Hmmm, could have been that my body was numb from lack of sleep ha ha ha!
Did have a chance to visit the nature center at the SF dam. Nice little park finally opened up, the Emerald Necklace Bike hub. Nice rubber covered bike racks, tables, bottle filler, nice set up. Just hope the homeless living in the bush there don't tear it up like they do everything else at the nature center. Though I have noticed plenty of employees roaming around the area so hopefully.
Trying to catch some ZZZZs on the bike ha ha ha!
Funny, at Sizzler, the gal that usually serves us has not been around for a couple weeks. Well, we have missed her going in as her schedule has changed some. So the last 4 times, we have had different servers. Evenly who is excellent served us once, another gal Kim who did a good job.
But twice a gal Elena served us and WOW !!! This girl is on it. I have her in a video not long ago. Very sweet friendly girl and a little older than our usual gal so I think being a little more mature, she knows what to do and how to serve and treat customers having figured out a way to make them happy. Heck, they know I'm a good tipper so they are always happy to get us at their table. Usually sit in the same spot so at times, they might argue about who will serve us in a fun loving way. But the last couple of times, wow, a hug for each of us then no need to ask for anything. Refills before we ask,, lemons up the whazoo, extra plates for Gina with her all you can eat salad bar. Then if I want anything, I can have it. This gal is ON TOP OF IT. I think she is trying to win us from our usual gal ha ha ha! It just might be working. Heck, without asking, she just showed up before we left with drinks to go. I am a big tipper and they know it so it's great the way they treat us and the way this gal appreciates our patronage, is awesome!
We walk into the place and the entire staff greets us. The managers come to our table and shake our hands. Wonderful! When we are in line for the register, the surrounding customers look at us like, who the heck are you?? Ha ha ha, once a dude said, wow, you must be a really good tipper ha ha ha! Yeah, they treat us well and I'm willing to show some appreciation.
At them mall after dinner for coffee. The people at Mrs' Field's like us too. The people there give Gina cookies and even insist at times she take them even though I am not supposed to eat them and Gina is not much of a sweets person. But today, lack of sleep so against my better judgement, gimme some cookies, I ate them, they were free ha ha ha!
Love me some good servers!
Ha ha ha 11 pm and I should be sleeping like Eddie Money says but I'm here typing in my blog.
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