Day 7 Broken Spokes, Cables and Pedal Bushings….Oh My!

Last year on RTR I had a problem breaking spokes on My Bontrager Race X-Lite wheels. So, this year I bought a Fulcrum Racing 1 rear wheel to make the trip. The bike shop I bought it from said “You can’t break this wheel”. Two miles from Fairplay, 24 miles from the finish with Hoosier Pass still to go, I broke it.  I had to jury rig the broken spoke and manipulate the break caliper to accommodate the wheel being out of dish to limp into Fairplay. I called in to the Official Team Bizzo Chase vehicle to bring me my Chris King back-up wheel. (See, I did learn something from last year!). They were in Leadville…………two hours away.

Not wanting the rest of the team to bake in the sun with Hoosier Pass looming, I sent them on since help was on the way and I.....

Wait!

As the last riders are leaving for Breckinridge, the crew shows up with my wheel. The wrenches were closing up shop, but switched out my cassette. As I roll away I feel a strange sensation in my derailleur shifter. I’m stuck in my hardest gear then I hear the sickening sound of the cable snapping!  I turn around and catch the wrenches as they headed out.

“Um.. you guys got a Shimano shifter cable?” He found one and I’m fairly certain it was at the very bottom of the van. He told me that he wasn’t sure that if the one he had was long enough. Worst case scenario, I was told that I would have my easier gears but might not be able to shift down. “You will be able to climb, but only be able to coast on the downhill’s” Citing ‘death before sag’ I said hook me up and I…………

Wait!

“I’ve got good news and bad news! The cable was long enough and I think you will have all of your gears but I had to rebuild your shifter which is headed south, and we have another problem. I dropped one of the brass ferrules in the grass and I can’t find it. The Shifter won’t work without it and we don’t have any spares. I think I can MacGyver one out of plastic tho! “ And I………..

Wait!

Then I saw the RTR Support crews coming through town REMOVING the directional route signs.  The wrench takes my bike for a test ride to check his creativity and reports that my right pedal bushings are also headed south……..nice……all this good news before climbing to 11, 542’ over Hoosier Pass. Did I make it? 

Hell Yea!

Hoosier Pass can kiss my ass! With the power of my MoJo bag and an awesome support crew I limped in and slammed the door on RTR 2008.

El Martillo Grande ("The Hammer")