Friday, April 20, 2007

Spoke Broke

Temperature at departure = 53° F (12° C)

At least there was a departure... On the way home last night, I hit an inch and a half thick branch on the trail which ended up inside my back wheel and broke one spoke and bent two others.


Won't be a big repair, but this was going to be the first time since the end of October that I'd ridden to work all five days in the week (I normally get four out of five). I called the guys at Bike America to see if the new Fischer Mendota that I'm supposed to test ride is in (it isn't) and asked them if I should stay off my baby until I get the spokes replaced and they said since the broken one is on the gear side of the back wheel - STAY OFF.


There, hanging on the garage ceiling, was my old, trusty, 1977 Yama ten speed. I'd hung her up after the cable for the rear derailleur broke. Since I had an excuse, I bought the new bike last July. I did not want to miss riding this morning so I figured riding the Yama, as is, would give me a hint as to what it would be like to ride a fixed gear. Wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Still, it was weird riding a road bike again after riding the hybrid for so long. I'm going to have to get the spokes fixed first thing Saturday morning so I can ride some extra miles this weekend.

2 comments:

amidnightrider said...

Like you, I have a big weekend of riding planned. Wifey if off to New Hampshire with the girls. The temperature is forcast to climb all weekend topping off close to 80 on Monday.

Enjoy your weekend too.

Yokota Fritz said...

That bike with its near horizontal dérailleur hanger is perfect for a fixed gear conversion. Get rid of the wheel frisbee, the gears, the rear brake, and the cables and you'll have a sweet looking bike!