Hmmmm… Today sucked. It started out well, but then turned bad.

Let’s see, from the beginning. I brought my old bike into work today (Fuji). Not that I was going to ride it, but I figured I’d let people see it -in case they were interested in buying it. So, lunch time comes around and I figure I’ll take if for a spin. Na, sticking with good old Felt.

Off we go (it’s just Me, John, and Keith), over the tracks and up the first hill. John and Keith must be REALLY worn out, because neither of them put forth very much effort. At the first light, I called them on this. So now, it’s kind of a mad dash to make it to the first turn first. I let the boys play, knowing full well, that I could pass them on the first hill (Triplets in reverse.)

I made the turn, and it looks like John is set to sprint the hill. Keith is trying, but you can tell he’s worn out for some reason. I pass on by Keith with John in my crosshairs. (Now’s when it turns bad…) Pulling along side of him, I start to mention something about Keith to him, when all of a sudden WACK! My pedals completely freeze up and won’t move. Of course this causes me to launch skyward, as I was pedaling REALLY hard. Needless to say, I’m clipped onto the bike, so I don’t fly off, but instead smash right into the handlebars with my kneecap. OUCH, but no time to think about it yet. Hitting the bars with my knee does the same thing as if you ran up and kicked the front tire. The bike starts to go down. Because I was on a pretty steep hill, I had no forward momentum any more. This helped me, as I was able to sort of bunny hop the bike back upright before it fell all the way to the ground, but I still wasn’t able to pedal. Five or so seconds go by while I try and free the stuck chain that is binding the cranks. Out of time. I bail off the bike, keeping it from hitting the ground.

Upon investigation, I discovered that I’ve snapped a pin in the chain, causing it to bind up. This sucks! (Keith and John both come up to help, but none of us brought a chain tool.) Needless to say, I bent and pried at the stupid link till I was able to get it so that it would at least rotate with the chain. From here, I was able to limp the bike back to work.

NOW, not being one to miss out on a ride, I went ahead and grabbed the Fuji and headed out for a quick recovery ride. (Was unable to log it though, as I don’t have a computer on this bike.)