Yesterday, Keith met me after work to show me how to repair the handlebars on my bike. Bless him, he brought me a tool with 3 little differently sized Allen wrenches on it. It proved immediately helpful in adjusting my saddle (what we cyclists call the seat). "You can store this in your saddle bag ... Next you should buy gloves. Really."

The "Really" is what drove it home. After retrieving my wallet in the church office (I thought I'd leave it there and pray, then pick it up after God added another $100 to it), I went to my cycle shop and bought a saddle bag (which I still can't figure out how to put on) and my gloves (the padding does make a difference, thank you).

While I was shopping (telling the sales assistant what I wanted while standing between someone's bike that was just repaired, the counter and 5 other waiting customers), I kept glancing outside to check that my bicycle wasn't stolen. So, I bought a chain lock, too. I guess I'll use that whenever I go to the cycle shop. (I look very bike-messenger when I wear it across my chest.) Otherwise, I'll just fold up the bicycle and schlepp it inside.

You should have seen me hoist it with one hand over the turnstile at the office. Even I was impressed. My lower back is still in spasm.