Why I Rode 1.68 Miles Tonight - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

08-05-2004, 08:43 PM

Nothing profound here, but let me grumble a little.

A group of us were near the beginning of tonight's club ride. We were in the
bicycle lane on a fairly major street. Someone in front yelled that there was
a big branch in the road. One lady clipped the very end of it, sending it
flying - right into my rear wheel. Sheared four spokes at one of the
buttings; don't think I've ever seen a spoke break in the middle before.
They're DT 14-15s on that side. I skidded to a stop with the wheel jammed
against the left chainstay - all four spokes were on the driven side.
Everyone was impressed that I didn't pave the road with my face.

Two police cars pulled up - they had had reports of brats throwing "something"
into the road. From the amount of branches and leaves over about 1/4 mile of
road, I think it was more likely to be a spill from a gardener's truck.

One lady rode back to get her car, while three others waited, although I was
begging 'em to do the ride; I could easily carry the bike that far. It took
quite a bit of effort, once back, to get the rear wheel out of the dropouts.

Drove over to Performance - there is one 3 miles away. Got eight spokes, just
in case. Went home, and couldn't find my Campy tool to remove the cluster.
Looked for a half hour. And I'm always very conscientious about my tools.

So tommorow I hope the local pro shop has the tool in stock. I won't know if
I've trashed the wheel until I can get it partly apart. And Saturday is a
pretty strenuous, hilly route - I'd prefer to give the wheel an easier first
ride.

Some days!

Art
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