Day 45 - April 23

Today marked the halfway point of my time at the cycling center. The time has flown by, but I’m happy with how it’s been spent so far. My days have been full with training: preparing to train, training, recovering from training. There’s a small window for personal time in the evenings. I've enjoyed using it to reflect on my days and write these journals.

Today was also the end of the mechanic course. This Level 1 of 3 course introduced the fundamentals by taking us through building a road bike from scratch. I’ve ridden road bikes since I got my first one in 2017. I picked up some maintenance along the way, but certain fixes made me nervous out of fear of causing more damage or simply not having the right tools. Drivetrain issues and brake or shifter cable maintenance were areas I never felt confident tackling alone.

Starting with just a frame, we built a road bike with Shimano 105 groupset and rim brakes. Having the right tools on hand removed so much of the mystery from the process. The hands-on format made the learning stick. I have a new appreciation for the simplicity and ingenuity of bicycles. Adjusting brakes and shifters doesn’t scare me anymore. I’m ready to go back home and fix that gear that’s been skipping.

Riding a bike is fun. Riding a bike that you built brings even more pleasure, joy, and appreciation. Understanding your tools changes your relationship with your craft.

How well do you know the essential tools of your pursuit?