I keep pedaling on the slight uphill road of Daang Hari with Rod. Suddenly I feel Darna, my Fuji Outland Pro bike, sway from side to side.

Am I that tired, I thought. Is this the start of bonking out? I didn’t think so. I looked straight ahead expecting my vision to blur. It didn’t.

I stop pedaling. I freewheel. I look down, I look at the rear tire. It wasn’t wiggling too much. Everything seemed normal.

I continue pedaling as Rod and I talk. Then I feel the sway once again. This confirmed it, this isn’t normal.

I had no choice, I continued pedaling as the sun was out and we were riding along Daang Hari. When Rod went straight towards the Molino-Daang Hari intersection and I turned right to enter Meadows I stopped a few feet after passing the gate. I checked if my rear wheel needs truing. It doesn’t. Not knowing what the problem was kinda scared me, not to mention it’s quite frustrating.

I mounted back on and continued pedaling home. Taking it slow, taking it easy. Pedaling light.

Once in a while I check the rear tire while I roll. I couldn’t figure out what’s causing the sway. I stop once more and check the rear wheel’s spokes. Nothing was broken. I continue on.

In another private subdivision I pass through there are less vehicles on the road. This gave me the chance of trying out different possible causes of why I felt the bike swaying. As I continued to pedal I heard what sounded like my rear tire brushing up against my chainstay protector. I looked down and confirmed the sound. Shit, that much rear tire wiggle isn’t normal.

I stop pedaling. I freewheel. I look down, I look at the rear tire. Everything was normal. What the hell…?

I pedaled with more force than normal. I felt the sway. I look down again, at the rear tire. It was rubbing against the chainstay protector.

I ease off. I freewheel as much as I can. I pedal light.

When I got home I sent a text message to Tom of Gran Trail Cycles describing what I found out and asking what the possible problem could be. He responded saying I may have lost a pivot bolt.

I went straight to Darna and checked all pivot points. A bolt was missing in the link just right beside the dropout. What the feck?! I texted Tom about it and he suggested I bring Darna to the Mad Scientist a.k.a. Bong the Mechanic.

Visiting the doctor

Monday was the only time I was able to bring Darna to be checked up on. I first passed by Gran Trail since it was nearer. Tom found out Fuji used mated bolts, which they don’t have on stock. They’d have to order it from Fuji. He again suggested Bong. So off I went, but not before asking Tom to have all bolts on Darna tightened.

So I steer Ate V, my 4×4 Suzuki Vitara, towards Bong’s shop/home. Tantan was there having his Yeti 575 laminated.

After a quick checkup Bong removed the bolts to be used as a sample as he digs in his bolts bin. Not finding what he was looking for he produced a different bolt of the same diameter then went out back to his table vice, with an electric drill locked in its jaw. I stare. So did Tantan.

“What the hell are you doing?” Tantan asks.

Bong chuckles.

He inserted the bolt in the drill, tests it, adjusts, tests again. Once the bolt was spinning straight he got a saw. I continue to stare and grin.

After a while, since my wife was waiting for me at the Alabang Town Center, I asked if it’s going to take long. Bong said it would be better for me to just come back for Darna so he won’t have to rush fixing her up.

Ready to rock, ready to roll!

Having done all the errands with my wife we go back to the Mad Scientist’s lab. It was already dark. 3 cars were parked outside. As I reach the gate I saw Eugene. I enter and went straight to the work area. It looked like half a recipe for a bikers’ party as I saw Daniel, Francis, and Borj. With Darna outside the work area standing proud.

She’s ready for the next day’s trip, from Q.C. to Cavite.

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