Monty and I were riding along when his wheels suddenly locked. There wasn’t much traffic, fortunately, and I carried my stricken boy to the sidewalk for a look.

A twig had wrapped itself completely – and very tightly – around the rear sprockets. It took me 20 minutes to pick it out. I’m glad I had a hand wipe in my bag, because this delicate operation left me covered with grease and (of course) I was wearing pale blue cashmere.

I replaced the chain and kept riding, but something felt off. When I got to work I removed and replaced the chain again. Had I broken the chain tensioner? It looked…wrong.

Unwilling to risk further damage to Monty’s innards, I bundled him into a cab and took him to NYCeWheels.

I had threaded the chain on not quite correctly, and knocked the chain tensioner out of alignment. As always, the NYCeWheels guys were accommodating (with nary an eye-roll over my chain-related ineptitude). A quick fix and we were on our way!

I’m not sure which pained Monty more: the indignity of being ferried in a taxi, or the revelation that his rider is mechanically clueless.

In any event, this little pocket knife is now tucked into the Mini O, just in case Monty ever needs rescuing again.