Ohhhhh man you did describe your bike as your "not so trusty steed"...... But that was after your ride....
<sigh> Still have the annoying tick sound..... I guess I'm going to have to take it to the shop (don't have the tools to even try and fix it myself)... I might put some other pedals on it for a ride... Just to make sure its not one of the pedals.... I don't think so..... but It will BUG me to no end if i dont check first..