#newbikeday #newhelmetday #fivepointz #driveside #kissenavelofund #affinitycycles (Taken with instagram)
Oh the carnage. I’ve been away for a while due to unfortunate circumstances (see above). My roadie decided to commit suicide on me. Still unknown to me as to how, my rear wheel locked up on me on my way to work one morning. It’s never a good sign when your drive train locks up and you can’t pedal. Luckily I was going up hill and only skidded to a stop. My derailleur hanger bent and snapped some how sending my rear derailleur up through my wheel, taking out 4 spokes and slicing through one of my carbon seat stays. After stripping the frame that night I found out the right drop out has a huge fracture as well. End result… frame totaled, rear derailleur donzo, bent to fuck chain and more trashed up spokes on my rear wheel. I’m just glad I hadn’t put my new wheel set on yet.
Luckily I was having my winter ride built up at Affinity already (pics to come). I’m now back on a bike and went on my first ride with Donalrey and Cycleangelo (who’s now back on a bike too!).
Water bottles have a hard life around me. This poor thing has been fallen off my bike 3+ times and run over once in the month I’ve had it so far (I ride hard).
Long story short, I broke two more spokes since our ride to Bear Mountain. I was riding home and paused at a light and notice my rear wheel was rubbing. It wasn’t until I looked closer at the next light that I realized I had broken yet another spoke. I was lucky enough to be able to flip my rear break lock and be able to ride home. Upon further inspection I noticed the next spoke down was cracking at the hub and about to go. I’ve been unable to ride my bike for four days as I only have one wheel set. For someone who is riding everyday I’ve been going bonkers. Lucky Jason and his crew at Affinity Cycles hooked me up and got me rolling again!
I’ll be back on the road again tomorrow!! I’m also looking forward to working with Jason at Affinity on a track build for me!
My love of my bike has been restored and all is well in the universe. My homie Mat suggested a really good cleaning of my chain and he was right. Overnight soak in WD-40, thorough dry, a good lube and wha-la noise gone! I’m back to riding my bike without feeling self concious every time I pass somebody in the bike lane.
Frustration
THE most frustrating thing for any cyclist is the psychological strain that occurs when your bike emits consistent “that’s not normal” noises that you cannot track down. I have struggled for months to pinpoint what is making an intermittent clicking/creaking noise only when I pedal no matter what gear I’m in. I thought I had it nailed when I broke a spoke on my last long ride. But alas a mile later and it was back. I’ve taken my bottom bracket apart so many times. Cleaned damn near everything. The other day I took both chain rings off, cleaned them and reattached them and the problem got worse. I think I know where to look now. However, my frustration peaked during this morning’s commute to work and I’m just PO’d at my bike right now. No I don’t have a logical reason to be, she doesn’t talk to me. We just have built a particular relationship and she’s not holding up her side of things.
GWB into NJ
Top of Bear mountain. Holy hell do I hurt. Over 1200 feet of elevation gain in just 4.5 miles.
Morning commute. Holy humidity #NYC! (Taken with instagram)
Found this goreous couple outside the Pelham metro north station a while back. (Taken with instagram)
