So I get up this morning and get ready to go to the MTB race in Cool/Auburn. I get everything together and start packing it into the car. Pack up my bike onto the roof-rack... then I remember that I had forgotten to put on the fender. Hmm. Ok, I have plenty of time. I get the bike down and bring it back inside. After fooling with the front fender for a few minutes I get it on and get ready to pack up the bike again. Just to make sure, I go over everything one final time... I had already tuned and lubed everything the night before but just to double check... Everythings cleaned and lubed; tire pressure is good; cranks spin smooth; headset is perfect; jump on the bike a few times to test suspension PSI..... scrape, scrape, scrape... WTF!?? On closer inspection, the rear pivot bearing seal is completely shot. Seal is gone, bearings are not all there, pin is off center. F*CKING F*CK! LBS doesn't open until noon. Race meeting is 10am. Drive is 2.5 hours to get there. I had planned on being out the door by 7am. Now, I've been working on the spare bike Erin rides, getting it in condition to be used as a spare race bike and have recently bought a new XT/XTR brake system for it to replace the crap that's on there right now, which just needs to be trashed. (They work for just a quick ride at the local lake but they would never hold up to the abuse they would take with heavy use in mud and rain at the race.) I had planned on doing just that, yesterday. However... after getting my new trials bike I had only one thing on my mind (playing with it!) and so, never got around to those brakes. So, I don't have a spare bike to race on today. Well... I guess I can start putting those brakes on now... *Sigh* -- FlyingCoyote http://www.boarsgut.com --