A Quandary

The Varsity isn't feeling so great today.

I took the Varsity to work this morning in full hipster gear (since I failed to install the cargo rack this weekend).  That giant purse of mine does nicely as a messenger bag when I need it to.  It was a beautiful morning, despite being a little chilly.  Anyway, I prefer the cooler mornings since I can wear my office attire and forgo the change of clothes.  As usual, the Schwinn performed very nicely on the climb to the office.  I thoroughly enjoyed using the drops on the descent passed Portage Path School too.

Have I mentioned how much I love this old bike?

Well, imagine my sadness when I downshifted on the last 1/4 mile and it failed.  The paddle wasn't stuck (which used to happen all the time before the refurbishment), the rear derailleur just wasn't responding.  My mind wandered back to the warning given to me by Bob at Wheel & Wrench that replacement cables are hard to come by.

"Please don't be the cable, please don't be the cable," I prayed as I examined the damage.  Nope, the cable was communicating to the derailleur, but the derailleur wasn't talking to itself, so to speak.  Wherever the disconnect is, its not telling the guide pulley to do it's thing.

Oh, of course, the chain is stuck in the highest gear.

I am not prepared for this turn of events.  There are some significant steep hills on the ride home no matter what route I take (like that one in front of the school).  I like having gears on these hills.  I'm a terrible climber.  I am.  I like having my big 'ole gears.  These hills are also lined with poorly timed traffic lights, so I lose my precious momentum (CG doesn't run reds).  All the hills are in the projects, which isn't a big deal if you're riding but may be a bigger deal if you're walking while pushing a bicycle and looking like a vulnerable hipster.

Soooooooo.... I'm in a quandary.  Take it through the pain and pump in high gear all the way home?  Walk it when I have to and carry a big stick?  Or wait for a ride?  I haven't had a mechanical that I couldn't fix roadside before.  Thankfully, I have a good four hours to make a decision.