Humming: It is always nice to find out you are not the only crazy person, substitute eccentric if you are wealthy, who makes msuic as he rides. when I rode with the Houston Texas Bicycle Club in the early eighties I would use; "Train keeps a rollin' all night long" as my mantra. I hummed it or sang to myself over and over, especially when climbing hills. The miles seemed to pass with much less effort.
Cadmium: Once upon a time when I was in college, I was a soil science major. that is until I was asked to seek another major because I did not love the soil for itself but for its use as a growing medium. Always the contrarian! I did some research on Cadmium presence in the soil. It is a heavy metal that is toxic in extremely low levels of ppm (parts per million.) Many things including water can be toxic in certain amounts. Good ventilation and a correct mask is advisable. I know it is not possible to teach common sense but you seem to appreciate the potential for harm and that convinces me you do have the requisite sense to use it appropriately.
On a lighter note, a lighter metal I obtained a set of Shimano Dura Ace crank arms yesterday. I usually do not seek out Shimano products except early Dura Ace and Crane derailleurs. It is a personal choice like not shopping at Wal-Mart. Another long story in itself. They have a 5 hole center much like a TA crankset but in a different BCD. I understand they are from the early eighties. The idea being that you could use a Shimano made ada[pter to allow use of various BCD chainrings. Have any of you ever seen these? Can I get some help on this? They are different the the other interchange possible Shimano arms I have seen on Sheldon's website from 1980-1981. Two of the bolt holes are blind threaded into the arm and three are through threaded.
thank you in advance ,
john strizek
sacramento california in the USA