Bicycle Chain Cleaning

It's spring time and we've had a few nice days - the kind of day that makes you feel like going for a long bike ride.

But if your bike has been rusting in the shed all winter it's important to clean and oil it before you hit the road. The chain in particular should be thoroughly cleaned at regular intervals. When was the last time you cleaned your bike chain? Uhuh. I thought so.

To do a really proper job of cleaning a manky bike chain, of course you need to disassemble it. Don't panic, it's easier than it sounds. There are clear step-by-step instructions, with photographs, at Sheldon Brown's excellent webpage on the topic. I strongly advise you to read it carefully.

If you enjoyed Sheldon's bike chain cleaning article, visit his home page for more advice, information, enthusiasm and humour about cycling. RIP Sheldon Brown (1944-2008)

Swedish Lemon Angels

Swedish Lemon Angels
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl or 2 cup measuring cup, beat an egg until foamy. Add 1/2 a cup of buttermilk (or 1/4 cup milk and 1/4 cup vinegar) and 1/2 tsp of vanilla essence and blend well. Add 5 tbsps baking soda, one teaspoonful at a time, sprinkling it in and beating until the mixture is smooth and the consistency of light cream. Add 1 cup of lemon juice all at once and blend into the mixture. Stir, but do not beat (you want it creamy, but without a lot of air). The mixture will congeal into a pasty lump. Scoop it out of the bowl with a spatula and spread it on a floured surface. Sift 7/8 cup plain flour and 3/4 cup of sugar together and use the fingertips to work it into the egg- lemon mixture. With a floured rolling pin, roll the dough out as thin as you can and with the tip of a sharp knife, cut out 'angel' shapes and twist the edges up to form a shell-like curve about 3/8" high. Sprinkle on more sugar. Brush each 'angel' with melted butter. Place the angels one inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.