Learning how to repair your bike - benefits

Wheels of Happiness

Some would consider it rather unusual to learn how to repair bikes.  Better leave to the mechanics and let them earn a living: But there are certain benefits when you learn to repair your own bike:

1   Self reliance.   When you are in a middle of nowhere,, you can repair and get home.  For instance, if           your break your derrailleur, how do you get home?

    If you have spares, ,can you replace:  brake pads, cables, screws, or even repair a flat?

2.  More learning -  you can be useful to your bike mates if you know how to take care of minor repairs.  

 Bike shops and reliable mechanics are hard to come by in remote places.   All they need and know  are  hammer and plier to repair your bike.  Will you allow this?

     Knowledge is power.   You are higher in the pecking order of the group if you have this advantage

3.  You train your mind to:

     1.  To be clean.   Most bike foul ups are due to dirt and grime accumulation

     2.  To be meticulous in parts:   part number and measurements, proper orientation when installing

           (better take pictures)

     3.  Be process oriented.  Proper sequencing.  Wrong sequence means you have to repeat the

          entire process.   Better take pictures and place the parts disassembled in proper order you

          took them apart

    4.  Have proper tools.  No tools can wreck you bike

    5.  Plan your repair:      1.  Have complete parts,   2.  Have complete tools   3.  Review the YT

         Video, manual

    6.  Be patient.  If you commit mistake, be willing to repeat the whole thing.  Dont throw away

         the repair, and or rush to the mechanic

4.    You definitely save money.

       The mechanic in remote barrio charges P200.00 per item.   The nearby mechanic charged

       me for a hub removal and bearing reinstallation.   A workshop charges P1,500 for taking bike

       from their house and redelivery.  The repair and parts are exclused.

5.  You lengthen the life of your bike

     1. You can be careful with your bike as you repair, and as you use it.  You do not expose the 

         elements that could wreck or destory the bike:   wading the bike in flood waters, streams

         to extreme heat.   You do not water the bike that lets water seep into the bearings and metal

         parts that could rust.  You do not cool disc brake by pouring water.  You do not shift when

         the chain is under tension.   

        Since you can disassemble:   you can chain your wax, change the chain when needed

   2.  Some parts can be recycledd:

        1.  Bearings can be regreased.  You dont need to buy a  new one

        2.  You can make the bearing new again by refreshing its old bearings.   Balls are cheap

6.  You become more connected to your bike.  You learn to appreciate its complex engineering and functioning. so you take care of it more closely.   So its not just a bike.  It is a product of the teamwork and the passion of those who put it together. So you must too

Sports, in particular biking, develops one to be a successful person in business and other career

Wheels of Happiness

It is often the observation that sportsman often turn out to be successful, millionaire and even billionaire businessmen like Michael Jordan, Shaq o Neal,  Oscar de la Hoya,  M Pacquiao.  So are other nameless investment banker and business owner.

Why do sportsmen, bikers becomes successful:

1.  They develop good habits.  They wake up early, practice, have training schedule

2.   They improve everyday.  Performance has to improve:   faster, stronger, higher

3.  They practice goal orientation.   Every action has to have a goal.  For instance, a long ride has a goal

      to reach a far away destination.  After reaching a destination a new goal takes over -  how to get home

4.   Results matter.     The mile run has to be under 3:30, the marathon in 2 hours (or less)

5.  Hardship make you tough, resilient and determined.    Hardship make you a better person.  You develop

     persistence, patience and determination.  

6.  You are trained to plan when you ride:   your route, your equipment (your inputs:   bike, tools, PHP, 

     how to negotiate your route Consider the weather:  rain or sunshine  (sunburn protection)

6.  Not to quit.    Only to rest for a while:  5 mins.  But never to quit

Strong mind in a strong body.    Mens sana  en corpora sano

All the things that we see now were created by thoughts of human mind.  And certainly only people with strong body can think well and come out with good things for the society.  

So what are you waiting for?  When do you start to exercise?   When do you start to bike

Saddle sore from my ride last Tuesday

Wheels of Happiness

Cant ride well today because of a saddle sore.   Its painful at the left side of the butt cheek probably from chafing the saddle.  But it was a short ride - only 40 km total.

My problems are:   how to remove pain and remove the swelling     The sore does not seem to be responding to medication.

I wonder how I got the same.   I have a good saddle, the ride was short.