Parts Paranoia

While I was climbing a hill today I noticed something disquieting. My bike's making weird noises. At least when I steer it does, and sometimes when I pedal. It's probably not a bad sound; no gears grinding, not the sound of something breaking. At least not yet. Right now it's just sort of squeaking with an eerie musical quality when I turn my handlebars and when I pedal. But like any new parent, I worry often, even over the small stuff.

I've been meaning to have the biked tuned up because at the very least the wheels need to be trued by now. You can tell that I've done most of my bike riding on a mountain bike by the way that I hop down curbs and hit bumps without even trying to dodge; sorry Jonas, for probably killing your wheels slowly! Somehow I haven't gotten a flat on this bike yet... but with my luck, I'll get one on the way home from class today. But on the tuneup, it's a great time for it. It seems like all of the local bike shops are doing cheap tune-ups for the Spring, and that's exactly what I want. Might as well, since the trip's only *gasp* less than two months away. Ohhh, and on the bye and bye, an old childhood friend donated today and told me that she'd sent the website to her mom so she might donate as well. Turns out her friend John's on the Northern Route and when she went to donate to him, she noticed I was on the trip and donated to me too! So thanks Laura for your donation, and thanks John as well. Because if you hadn't been on the trip, I might not have gotten any money either!