"Sir James" really did not want to kill himself in what promised to be a very hot and humid day and he had already participated in the Valley Rally on Saturday so he chose the lesser route of Stittsville. Turned out that I had only two other cyclist who were conserving strength. So off we went at the tail of the pack. All went according to plan until I shifted into low gear for the hill on Meadowlands just before Merivale Rd. For reasons unknown to me my $114.95 (replacement cost) integra derailer decided to make a unscheduled trip into my back spokes of the rear wheel. As it wrapped itself around my rear block, with chain roller flying off by themselves. One look and it was very apparent that I was going no-place. I could do very little except to offer my map to the other two cyclist, tell them I would be okay and send them on their way in the hope that they would catch the tail of the pack or use the map for their own ride. The next problem was how to get home? I had travelled about 15 km's so far so I reasoned I would have about a 7 km walk. I then set about untangling the bent and mangled derailer from the rear wheel. First surprise, although the derailer was crushed bent and broken, the rear wheel showed no sign of any damage, not a bent spoke anywhere and the wheel ran true. I then loosened of the quick release holding my rear wheel (removed the bolted side and put the threaded stem through one of the holes that once held a chain roller bolt, replaced the end and clamped it all tight. This allowed me to coast, without removing the damaged derailer. I also found that I could peddle the bike if there was no strain on the chain as it hung lose over the chain rings. So off I went coasting when I could, pedalling some and walking the slightest up-grade in the road. I was home in no time a little wiser and soon to be a lot poorer. Total cost of repairs, $149.00 and change. I guess I will be a little careful for some time to come, when switching to my lowest gear. But I still do not know why the derailer made the unexpected trip into my rear wheel. I had checked the settings many times and it was set so I could not shift beyond the lowest gear. Bike is all set for Tuesday Night Tour and Montreal. but if you notice James looking down and back, just ignore, he just wondering again why it all happened in the first place. Cheers "Sir James" E-mail : [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web : http://www.mondenet.com/~jimckap Mailing Information page : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Home Page http://www.yahoogroups.com/members/c-kap Subscribe : http://www.yahoogroups.com/subscribe/c-kap Unsubscribe-Send E-mail to : [EMAIL PROTECTED] You must be a C-KAP member to subscribe as this is a closed mailing page. ------ To unsubscribe, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED], (613) 230-1064 Web/mailing list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb/Newsletter ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: [email protected] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
